NORTHERN TODAY 14 WINTER 2024 News | NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY Wolves Athletics Feature Alex Arndt - Wolves Softball Alex Arndt has had a college experience that is unique to NCAA Division II – Arndt is not only the catcher on Northern’s softball team, she’s also president pro tempore and senator for College of Arts & Science Student Government Association, softball representative for student athlete advisory committee, president of speech and debate, a member of Honors, a member of TRIO, and a tutor for student success center. “Student athletes are incredibly busy people. Sports require tons of hidden work,” Arndt said. “The fact that I have the support and backing of coaches and professors to balance my schedule, take on different projects, lead organizations, and volunteer is unique to someone in my position. I’m really lucky to be able to do that.” Her secret? Diligent planning and communication. Arndt has routines and keeps her calendars and planners upto-date. She coordinates with coaches, professors and other organization leaders to ensure that she hasn’t double booked herself. “They give me a lot of grace,” Arndt said. “You have to be a big picture person, especially when your work environment all day every day is in the small details. Everyone jokes that softball is the sport of failure. You go 3 for 10 and you’re a hall of famer. It’s kept me humble and resilient.” That drive is fueling Arndt’s future as a lawyer. Arndt has already been accepted into law at the University of South Dakota for fall 2024. Though she’s excited, Ardnt hasn’t picked her specialization yet. “I’m so passionate about every field of the law. I want to learn as much as I can,” Arndt said. Arndt is from Kansas City, Missouri. She chose Northern for the closeknit relationships she could form. “I knew, as a first-generation student, I wanted to go somewhere that was a college town. I wanted support; I wanted community. I knew that having smaller classes meant that my professors would know me really well and I’d have those functional relationships,” Arndt said. “It was really important that I felt seen and that everyone around me would be invested in my success. The community on and off campus was crucial to me.” And of course, for the chance to play softball. Arndt started playing softball when she was 11 years old as a way to bond with her father, who played slow pitch league for his work. She fell in love with the sport and has been playing ever since. After a near-record breaking sophomore year and a tough season last year when she broke her catching hand, Arndt wants to go out with a smile. “I recently volunteered with Central High School girls. They are always so happy to be out there playing the game. So, my goal this year is to go out there loving the game as I did when I first started. I want to walk into practice, gameday, lift – no matter how early- with a smile on my face, having fun, feeling fulfilled in the knowledge that this is a game that carried through adolescence, gave me so many opportunities, so many core memories with my mom and dad, and got me to college. “I want to always leave it knowing that I loved it. It was probably one of my favorite memories as a kid and made a huge impact.” I knew, as a first-generation student, I wanted to go somewhere that was a college town. I wanted support; I wanted community. I knew that having smaller classes meant that my professors would know me really well and I’d have those functional relationships. “ ” ALEX ARNDT, Senior Hometown: Blue Spring, MO Major: Criminal Justice Softball had huge impact on Arndt’s life
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