Lakinn Larson has gone out for most every sport West Hancock plays in her high school career.
With her junior season coming to an end, Larson played volleyball, basketball and softball for the Titans.
With the spring season underway, Larson is on the softball diamond for the Titans.
West Hancock head coach Gena Dewald remembers Lakinn’s introduction to the sport at six years of age.
“I can recall Lakinn learning how to catch back in first grade,” Dewald said. “She couldn’t catch a ball.”
When a sport is one’s favorite save any other, there’s no sacrifice too great.
“She spent relentless hours trying to get better at catching it,” Dewald said.
Larson, the Daily Gate City Athlete of the Week, has that inner fire, that internal drive that fuels her passion.
From that humble beginning, Larson has taken great strides to improve.
“She truly wants to be the best at whatever she sets out to do,” Dewald said.
Larson is closer to the actual field and has more responsibility and gets dirtier than any other player on the team since she has moved from just catching to being the catcher for the Titans.
She has the softball in her hand more than any other player except maybe the pitcher.
Even though she has to put all the protective gear on every inning and get low to the ground to catch Jordyn Climer’s pitches, softball is Larson’s favorite sport.
When asked what besides softball is her favorite sport, Larson won’t name another.
Softball is it for her.
She has grown to love the sport. She has put the time in to improve, to better herself since her introduction to the game she has grown to love.
That has resulted in a glowing endorsement from Dewald.
“Lakinn has spent many hours working to become one of the best catchers I have ever coached,” Dewald said. “Her work ethic has been such an asset to this team.”
Larson has yet to commit an error and leads the Titans, who are 10-3 so far this season, in batting average and on-base percentage. Batting second in the order, she also leads the team in RBIs. She is third in slugging percentage and tied for first in triples.
When Larson wasn’t working to become ‘one of the best,’ the Daily Gate City ‘caught’ up to her to learn a little more about her.
What is your favorite sport besides softball?
Softball is my favorite sport.
What is something you learned from a coach that you will never forget?
How you need to not dwell on your mistakes, but to move on and learn from them.
What is it that you like about playing the sport of softball?
The friends and memories you make.
What is your best memory in the sport?
When we beat Quincy Notre Dame last year in a really close game.
What is your worst memory in the sport?
My most embarrassing moment was when I caught the ball and went to throw it and my shoe lace got caught on my other shoe’s cleat and I face planted. I now tuck my shoe laces.
Who is the funniest person on the team?
Jordyn Climer, she says the most random things and always finds a way to make people laugh.
What is your game day or pregame routine?
I eat four nerds clusters before each game.
How do you unwind after a game?
Hangout with friends or work on homework.
Who is your biggest role model?
My grandma, because she always saw the best in people.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Algebra, because I like the satisfaction you feel after solving a really hard equation.
If you had free concert tickets, who would you see?
Cody Johnson, because his music is good.
What is your favorite meal?
Chicken, cheese, and rice.
What is your favorite TV show?
The Vampire Diaries.
What movie could you watch over and over?
Any Adam Sandler movie.
If you won the lottery, what would your first purchase be?
I would buy the old Scoops Ice Cream Shop. Warsaw needs an ice cream place.
What social media platform do you spend the most time on?
TikTok, because it’s addicting.
If you had free tickets to go to a pro sports event, what would it be?
I would go to a Blackhawks hockey game because hockey is fun to watch.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is when people don’t own up to their mistakes.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Teleportation, it would get me to places faster and I don’t like to drive.
What is your favorite motivational slogan or quote?
Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts. -Winston S. Churchill
What are your plans for college and career?
I plan to attend college, but major and location are currently undecided.
What is something about yourself that would surprise people?
I don’t like bacon.
