Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/951600
39 F ive newcomers to the University of Iowa soball team — senior Kenzie Ihle, sophomore Elizabeth DeShields, and freshmen Aralee Bogar, Ashley Hamilton, and Lauren Shaw — are excited to be Hawkeyes. For two of the newcomers, Hamilton (Robins, Iowa) and Ihle (Des Moines, Iowa), the decision to attend the flagship school in their home state was a no-brainer. "I'm from Iowa and I thought it was cool that I could represent the state that I'm from," said Ihle. "I've always been a Hawkeye fan," said Hamilton. "Ever since I was born, I have bled the black and gold. I visited and fell in love with Iowa City and the atmosphere here, so when I had the chance to become a Hawkeye, I was excited to take it." e other three are from out of state, but when they visited campus and met the team, they knew Iowa City is where they were meant to be. "When I visited, I got to see how the soball team interacts," said Bogar, a native of Trophy Club, Texas. "It was awesome to see how they are a family, and I really wanted to be part of a place where I felt like I could belong like that." "I chose to attend Iowa because I loved the atmosphere and the people I met while I was on my visit," said DeShields. "I also knew I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, and being a Hawkeye gives me that opportunity." All five new Hawkeyes enjoyed visiting campus and getting to know the team. Now that they are here, their sense of pride in being a Hawkeye has deepened. "I love being a Hawkeye because of the support from the student body in general," said Shaw (LaGrange, Ohio). "Everybody on campus is proud to be a Hawkeye. It's contagious, and everywhere I go I can feel it." "Everyone is passionate about being a Hawkeye and takes pride in going to Iowa, and I love that," added Bogar. at sense of pride was evident the first time the newbies stepped on Pearl Field. Although they have yet to play a game at home during the 2018 season, the Hawkeyes hosted seven games in Iowa City during the fall. "I looked at my dad in the stands and he was sitting in the same spot where we always sat when we came to the games," said Hamilton. "He almost had tears in his eyes, so that made me emotional. I'm so proud to be here." "It felt cool to step onto Pearl in the fall," said Ihle. "ere were so many fans who came to watch our games, and it's fun to see that. Wearing the Hawkeye jersey is such a cool feeling, and I can't wait to play at Pearl again in March." Now, these five newcomers are putting that sense of pride to work during the season. "I'm excited to play together as a team," said Bogar. "I'm excited to take on opponents and be competitive. I can't wait to take each game as a challenge and go aer it." "I loved seeing how many people came to support us during the fall, and I am pumped to see that support again in the spring," added DeShields. "I'm excited to know that not only is your team supporting you, but all the Hawkeye fans are supporting you as well." MARCH SCHEDULE March 10 vs. Georgetown March 10 at Grand Canyon March 11 vs. Georgetown March 11 at Grand Canyon March 12 at Grand Canyon March 14 at Arizona State (DH) March 16 vs. Wichita State March 17 vs. Wichita State March 17 at Creighton March 21 South Dakota State (DH) March 23 Michigan March 24 Michigan March 25 Michigan March 27 UW Green Bay (DH) March 28 Drake March 30 at Maryland March 31 at Maryland