Recruiting: 10 Questions With BYU-Bound & Five-Sport Star Athlete Emmalee Andrewjeski

Is there anything Emmalee Andrewjeski can’t do?

She’s a four-sport athlete who’s won honors in all of them—softball, track & field, wrestling, volleyball and basketball—and recently received and committed to play for the BYU softball team.

From a small town in Washington, Emma has accomplished big things and it’s not just limited to the athletic fields or courts.

The 6-foot-1 junior is also an excellent student with a 4.2 GPA and has served Connell (Washington) High as the Sophomore Class Vice-President, Freshman Class Secretary and even was the Homecoming Princess a year ago.

Here’s more on this outstanding talent from the Northwest who plays for the USA Explosion 18U softball travel ball organization that has teams in Washington and Idaho…

*****

NAME: EMMALEE ANDREWJESKI
Grad Year: 2021
Position(s): 3B/C/1B
Club Team: USA Explosion – Thompson
School (City/State): Connell High (Connell, Washington)
GPA: 4.0
College: BYU
Height: 6-foot-1
Softball Measurables: Overhand Throw: 71 MPH; Home-to-Home: 10.1; Home to 1st: 2.9
Other Sports: basketball, track, wrestling and volleyball
Top Honors/Accomplishments (all sports): 2019: 3^rd in state in discus, 5^th in state in javelin, 7^th in state in shotput; District champ in shot and discus & 4^th in javelin; basketball academic state champion; varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and track; 2018: All-State honorable mention as a catcher (freshman), SCAC 1^st team (3B/C)
Academics: Honors English, Math
Coaches Comments:

“Emma Andrewjeski very well may be the most talented athlete I have had the opportunity to coach.  Emma is the type of athlete that the moment she steps on the field, she instantly makes those around her better.  It’s not her talent or athleticism that accomplishes this.  It’s the culture and attitude she promotes, that encourages her team to be better.”
— Seath Kimball (Connell High School Head Wrestling Coach)

“Emma is a natural born leader on and off of the court/field.  She gives 110 percent in all that she does both athletically and in the classroom.  She is coachable and is always striving to improve.  Emma is an amazing athlete with a very bright future!”
— Patty Brandt (Connell High School Varsity Volleyball)

“Emma Andrewjeski is one of the strongest, toughest athletes I have ever had the privilege to train/coach.  There is nothing that rattles her.  The bigger the competition, the better the performance. Emma is a true gamer.  What I enjoy most about Emma is she is never satisfied.  In her mind she believes she is always capable of more.  More home runs, more weight lifted, more distance, more pins. everything.  She is a true competitor.  And above all, Emma is a great person.  She is kind, thoughtful, happy, and exudes joy.  I am grateful I get to coach her and be a part of her athletic journey.  She will do great things in her future for BYU Softball and beyond.”
— Scott Forsyth (Connell High School Weights Coach, Head Track and Field Coach, Assistant Wrestling Coach)

*****

Tell us about where you live and what makes it fun/interesting?
I live in a very small town in Eastern Washington. There are more cows than people here! I go to Connell High School which is a lot bigger than where I live but still considered a small school to many. I live and work on a farm owned by my family. So being around livestock and agriculture is something fun that a lot of kids don’t get to experience that I was blessed to experience.

You’re successful in multiple sports and could probably play in college in any of them! What is it about softball you love so much?
I love the coaches and teammates the most, but I also love the success I’ve seen on the field and the life lessons I’ve learned from the sport.

When did you know BYU was the right place for you?
I went down to BYU in August and when I first stepped foot on the softball field I just knew this is where I belong. The atmosphere of Provo and unlimited outdoor activities really caught my attention as a place I wanted to live.

What factors led to you deciding to commit to the Cougars when you did?
The coaches at BYU definitely made me want to be one of their players. (Assistant Head) Coach (Pete) Meredith would come to my tournaments and talk to me about BYU and I really like how Coach Meredith was interested in coaching me. (Head) Coach (Gordon) Eakin has a great coaching style that I’m excited to practice and play under.

What were the circumstances around you committing?
On September 1^st, Coach Eakin called me and offered me and I was truly blessed. I had other offers, but I knew BYU was going to be perfect for me which is why I decided to commit to play softball at BYU a couple days after the offer.

What do you want to study at BYU?
I’m still undecided on what I want to study. But I believe something in communications.

What’s a talent or skill you have that maybe people don’t know about?
One talent I have is I’m a multi-sport athlete. I participate in volleyball, wrestling, and track and field in high school, earning a varsity letter in all of the sports.

What are you most proud of having achieved in your life on the field and off?
I am proud of achieving the opportunity to play D1 collegiate softball. I am also proud to have all of my hard work pay off with this amazing opportunity. I have made great friendships along the way and they’ve all supported me to where I am which I am also proud of.

Where do you see yourself in 15-20 years?
I see myself graduated and taking my education as far as I want. With the hopes of being involved in a communications job. I just plan on being successful and happy.

Who are your role models on and off the field?
My role models are my Grandma Town, my parents and Ashley Thompson (Editor’s note: went to Connell High also and played at BYU from 2014-17). My grandma was the strongest person I’ve ever met, which is why I strive to be at the top. My mom is the most inspirational she comes to all of tournaments, supports me at my high and supports me at my lows. She also loves me through everything. My dad is just like me; me and my dad get along very well because we act very similar. My dad helps me through the hard stuff usually by making jokes. He also loves me through everything. Ashley Thompson is an amazing softball player who also played at BYU and she gave me the inspiration to follow my dreams of playing collegiate softball.