DELANO – There was a time in Louisa Stowman’s life when she dreamed of being able to play at the collegiate level. Flash forward to the present, and that dream is now a reality for the Delano senior as she officially signed with Wayne State University Tuesday afternoon to continue her softball career and achieve a lifelong dream.
“I remember telling my dad that I wanted to play at the highest level possible and that I was ready for the challenge,” Stowman said. “I knew it was something I wanted and it is a huge achievement for me to be able to actually have it play out.”
Stowman had a decision to make on where she wanted to play following high school. She could have either played Division II or III, but opted for the challenge by picking Wayne State.
“My decision was left to choose between a Division II school and a Division III school,” Stowman said. “I really fell in love with the coaches at Wayne State and their honesty. Along with the team and the smaller community similar to home.”
Throughout Stowman’s career, hard work has been at the center of it. Often playing and working on her game throughout the season and the off-season, she’s seen all her hard work pay off in a big way.
“I feel like it is so many young girls’ dream to be able to play at that next level,” Stowman said. “To me, every minute that goes into getting better at softball counts. I’m very proud of the achievements I’ve made and how it has paid off, but I know that it doesn’t stop there.”
Like every athlete, Stowman has a great support system along the way helping her develop as a player and her love for the game.
“Every single teammate and coach I’ve been on a team with has helped push me to the player I am today,” Stowman said. “It is truly a team sport and we can all feed off of each other. I have met some of my best friends and learned so much from the coaches. I know that those relationships and the memories that were made will never be forgotten. I love that I can channel my emotions into the game and into getting better.”
Stowman making it official has come at the perfect time. After realizing she would have to miss her senior season due to having surgery, it helped ease the pain of not getting to play in her final season in a Delano uniform.
“It means a lot to me,” Stowman said. “Especially right now because I am missing out on my senior year.”
Just because Stowman won’t be on the field for the Tigers this season doesn’t mean she won’t be around the diamond. Her presence on the field will be missed greatly, but you can count on her being around the park each and every day to support her teammates.
“Although I can’t play this year, I will still be the best teammate for my team and a leader for the younger girls,” she said. “Injuries are a part of playing sports, but what matters the most is how you come back from them.”
Stowman is more than ready to come back from her injury. Already working hard to get back to where she was a year ago, the standout high school player is focused on the physical and mental parts of the game in order to get back on track to accomplish her goals.
“I’m doing everything I can to regain my physical strength back, but In the meantime really working on the mental factor,” Stowman said. “Both the physical and mental factors are a huge part of how I play the game. I’m working hard to be able to start swinging a bat and getting back to the basics, but also keeping in mind I can’t rush my recovery because I have huge goals for my future at Wayne State.”
