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Here’s our TLI for Monday, July 25, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: JOCELYN O’KEEFFE
2024 2B/OF Jocelyn O’Keeffe recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Jersey Intensity 16U-KOD/Cerchio, positivity, improving her throwing, wrestling, PGF Nationals, what she’s looking for in a future college, Carolyn Conforti-Browse, speedy reading and wild bunting.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Jocelyn O’Keeffe
Hometown: Newton, NJ
High School: Blair Academy
Club Team: Jersey Intensity 16U-KOD/Cerchio
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-3
Position: 2B/OF
Nickname: Sonic
Twitter: @JocelynKeeffe
Honors: 2nd team NFCA 2022 All American; 1st Team NFCA All-Region; and two-time Mid-Atlantic Prep League All-Prep.
High School Spring Highlights/Stats: School record 31 stolen bases, .570 AVG and co-captain.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
At the age of 12, I decided that I wanted to start playing at a national level. With the guidance of my former coach and friend Kristen and my parents, we decided on Intensity. Playing for Jersey Intensity these past three years has given me opportunities to train with some of the best coaches and players in the country. I am always being challenged. Coach Kevin (O’Donnell) and Coach Dave (Cerchio) are so supportive and I am thankful to have found my home at Intensity.
What do you bring to the team?
I bring positivity, energy and optimism to my team. I try to always see the best in the situation and believe there is always a way to overcome adversity on and off the field.
What area are you focusing on/trying to improve this summer?
This summer, I am focusing on improving my throwing and exit velocity.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today?
Wrestling has truly improved my mental toughness significantly. With my high school wrestling team consistently being number one in the nation, I’ve had to constantly push myself to work harder and tell myself that the hard work will pay off. My coaches challenge me to be the best I can be, while always supporting me. Just this past winter, I placed third at National Preps. My experiences while wrestling have helped me become a better teammate and the training/lifting continues to improve my performance on the softball field.
Can you tell us about PGF Nationals and what you hope to achieve at the event?
PGF Nationals is one of my favorite tournaments. Every single team competing is filled with amazing talent. I know every game is going to be a battle, but I hope that as a team we compete in every at bat, every situation, every game and do our best while having fun.
What are you looking for in a future university?
I have been blessed to be coached by incredible coaches, including my dad throughout the years, both in high school and in club. I am looking to find a university that will challenge me academically, shares my values and has a competitive environment while playing high level softball.
Who is your sports hero and why?
My sports hero is Carolyn Conforti-Browse. She is not only my head coach at Blair, but she is someone that I can always count on whether it’s discussing academics, softball or day to day life. I know I can always confide in her. She has had an incredible impact on her softball players and students for many years and continues to do so every day. I truly strive to be like her because everytime you are around CCB you always leave happier than you were before.
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
A skill that I have is reading a book that I am interested in, in less than a day.
What’s your most memorable softball story?
One of the funniest moments I can remember was when I was around 9 (years old). My coach at the time called a bunt sign. The pitch came in a little high, hitting off the top of the barrel head popping up into the air. As I was running down the baseline, the ball hit me in the head. Ironically, I got myself out. My family and I still watch the video and laugh till this day.
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