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Here’s our TLI for Monday, March 21:
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EXTRA ELITE PROFILE: EMILY BOJAN
Wisconsin-bound C/UT Emily Bojan, #77 in the 2022 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about her softball journey with Marist High in Chicago, Illinois, the Beverly Bandits 18U team, recruiting tips for younger players and basketball.
EXTRA SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Emily Bojan
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Marist High
Club Team: Beverly Bandits 18U Premier-Holloway
Graduation Year: 2022
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: C/UT
Nickname: BOJ
Twitter: @emilycathleen1
Honors: Deans List; Honor Roll; Basketball — Chicago Tribune All-Area Honorable Mention; ESCC All-Conference; Softball — 1st Team All-American by Extra Inning Softball; Chicago Tribune 1st team All-Area; and ESCC All-Conference.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .421 AVG, .467 OBP, 1.046 OPS, and .579 SLG.
High School Highlights/Stats: 2021 Class 4A State Champs (2021), Regional champion (2021); Sectional champions (2021); East Suburban Catholic Conference champions (2021); .429 AVG, .496 OBP, 1.334 OPS, .838 SLG, 66 RBIs and 10 HRs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
I play for the Beverly Bandits. A well-respected, well-known softball organization in the Midwest.
After my high school season, I was offered the opportunity to play with the Bandits. I always knew that this organization competes and prepares players to play at the next level. My goal has always been to play softball in college, so playing for the Bandits would best prepare me to play in college by giving me the opportunity to play with and against the best softball players in the nation.
Can you talk about your experiences at Marist and how you are approaching this high school season?
I have had a great experience at Marist! I am lucky that Marist is in my backyard. This neighborhood school has a great tradition for being a winning program in softball. Year to year, Marist is state- or nationally-ranked by MaxPreps. I feel so fortunate to be part of the tradition. The coaching staff are graduates of Marist and know first hand about the winning tradition since they have also worn the Marist softball uniform.
I am approaching high school season with high hopes and excitement. I am hopeful we will have another winning season and have the chance to defend our state title and I am excited to play with a great group of teammates, who are not only very talented, but also my good friends.
Can you talk about the recruiting process and how you chose Wisconsin? Do you have any recruiting advice for younger players?
Well, in the beginning, because of COVID, the date for coaches to contact (20)22s kept getting pushed back, so it was a little frustrating at first, but overall the recruiting process was fun. I really enjoyed talking to different coaches and hearing about their programs and coaching styles.
Ever since I was little, I always dreamed of playing for Wisconsin. After talking with Coach (Yvette) Healy, her staff and attending a camp, not only did I love their coaching style, knowledge and love of the game, I felt like they were an extension of my family and I knew being a part of the Badger family was the perfect fit for me.
Advice I would give to younger players is to trust the process. Before you begin the recruiting process, make sure you know what you want in a college (distance, major, education). Do not rush to commit, just to say you are committed. Take your time, get to know the coaches and program, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Surround yourself with a good support system and seek advice from others that have been through the process.
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
A special skill I have is rebounding in basketball. This year, I set my high school season single-game record for most rebounds in a game, finishing the game with 26 rebounds.
What’s your most memorable softball story?
My high school junior year softball season. It was just perfect. From winning the state championship to carrying my dehydrated pitcher off the field after the championship game, and all the celebrations, fun, friendships, state rings and laughs along the way. I will never forget that amazing season.
*** Scroll down to read more news from the prep world including a big high school showdown in the South…
