Juliana Linares
Norman North High School
Norman North senior fastpitch player Juliana Linares has been an All-District First Team selection each of her first three years on varsity.
“[Linares] made the top 10 stat list in most categories as a freshman in the circle. Has led the team to the Regional Finals her first three years,” Timberwolves head coach Laura Collins said. “She is a true competitor who studies the game, pitching/hitting charts, leads by example and has a strong work ethic. She has a solid moral character and is a great student athlete.”
“I feel my greatest strengths are my leadership and my game knowledge,” Linares said. “Softball has taught me that I love being in a leadership position. I love meeting all kinds of new people who have the same interests I do. I enjoy getting to guide people and see others succeed and grow.”
Linares is a veteran’s veteran. The four-year starter has learned many life lessons from the game.
“My freshman year I had gotten hit in the throat from a ball while pitching,” Linares recounted. “While I ended up being OK, I had a mental block up in my mind. The only way I was able to get through it and improve was to keep pitching in games. I just kept working on my reflexes so it wouldn’t happen again.”
Her game knowledge will come in handy for the Timberwolves. She’s like an additional coach on the field for Collins.
“Many of our players on the field are young and it’s important they have a leader. They need to be supported and my game knowledge allows me to talk to them and encourage them in many ways,” Linares said. “I can also understand a play that needs to be made and what I might need to do at the plate or what the pitcher might be doing on the mound.”
After high school, Linares plans to continue her softball career in college while pursuing a degree in biology.
“Representing Norman North means to be supportive and respectful no matter what,” Linares said. “Win or lose, we’re respectful and we’re going to see others succeed at our own school and we often see other athletes or sports in our school succeed so supporting them.”
Photo by Randy Carter
