UNC Softball’s Kristen Brown talks about joining the women’s national team
‘I kept looking and refreshing the page until I saw I had an email’
Earlier this year, UNC Softball’s shortstop, Kristen Brown, had the chance of a lifetime. She traveled from Chapel Hill, NC, to California to try out for the US Women’s National Team.
But what should have been a four day tryout was shortened to two days due to bad weather. That meant Kristen had just 48 hours to show off her skills.
At the end of the tryout, the coaches told the players they’d receive an email around 12.30pm letting them know if they made the team. As if that wasn’t stressful enough, Kristen wasn’t sure if that meant 12.30 Eastern or Pacific time.
Kristen said: “I was nervous. I had to take a six hour plane ride home and I was thinking about it the whole time. I kept looking and refreshing the page until I saw I had an email.”
The email said Kristen had earned a spot on the Elite Team, where she’d be one of seven rookies. She told her coaches the good news first, and they scrambled to find an American flag so she could take a photo representing her country.
“It was really a big moment in my life. I’ve dreamed of this since I was little. Playing for Team USA is such an accomplishment.”
Carolina Softball Coach Donna Papa called the team into a huddle to officially announce the big news. Kristen said she was immediately swarmed by her team congratulating her on the tremendous accomplishment.
Kristen is only the second softball player from UNC to be invited to tryout for the national team. She is the first player in program history to earn a roster spot on either team.
All photos credit of Carolina Athletics and ASA/USA Softball.