Linfield University Athletics

JUNIOR
Letter winner.
Northwest Conference Scholar Athlete.
Named NWC Pitching Student-Athlete of the Week, Feb. 24.
Pitched to an ERA of 1.81 with 24 punch outs in 46.1 innings pitched in shortened 2020 season.
Had a perfect record of 6-0, pitching in 10 games and making seven starts.
Tossed four complete games, including three shutouts.
Restricted opposing batters to hit .211.
Gave up just one earned run in a complete game win over La Verne, Feb. 23.
Pitched a complete game with no earned runs and four strikeouts against Pacific, Feb. 29.
 
SOPHOMORE
Made eight relief appearances.
Recorded a 1-2 record with 15.1 innings pitched.
Struck out eight while recording a 4.70 ERA.
Pitched in four of the six Wildcat regional and super-regional games.
 
FRESHMAN
Logged one pitching appearance as a freshman.
 
HENRY M. JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL
Lettered four times in softball at Henry M. Jackson High School.
Named team captain of the Timberwolves as a senior in 2017.
 
PERSONAL
Majoring in elementary education.
Daughter of Meggin and Bret Podnar.
Honor roll recipient.
 
WHY LINFIELD? I chose to attend Linfield because I knew the moment I stepped onto campus I would flourish both in academics and in athletics. I also chose Linfield because the student to professor ratio is amazing, the education department, and Linfield has given me the chance to participant not only in athletics but other activities around campus.
 
WHAT DOES BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE MEAN TO YOU? Being a student athlete means getting the chance to play a sport that I love at the next level, which I wouldn’t trade anything for. I get the chance to be a part of an amazing team and give it my all out on the field, not only for myself, but for my teammates. I also get to work just as hard in the classroom preparing for my life outside of Linfield.
 
WHAT MAKES YOU INTERESTING AS A STUDENT-ATHLETE? What makes me unique as a student athlete is that I am not only involved in academics and athletics on campus. For instance, I am in the “love your melon” campus crew and in a sorority here on campus. Linfield has given me the chance to have the time to do all of these other activities/clubs that I never thought I could have if I played college softball.
 
WHATS NEXT AFTER LINFIELD? I want to teach lower elementary school, it has always been a passion of mine. Linfield is giving me the resources and opportunities to get the experience I need in order to be the best teacher I can be by assigning college students to volunteer in local classrooms. The professors in the education department are absolutely amazing, they are always so willing to help if you ever have any questions, and they truly want to see all of their students succeed.
 
WHAT IS THE BEST CLASS YOU’VE TAKEN AT LINFIELD? My favorite class I’ve taken at Linfield was Teaching Art, because it was a fun class where I could be creative but also learn a lot about the importance of art for children.
 
WHEN NOT COMPETING IN SPORTS OR STUDYING FOR SCHOOL, I LIKE TO SPEND MY FREE TIME…Hanging out with my friends, going shopping and going to the beach!
 
THE GREATEST LESSON THAT I’VE LEARNED WHILE COMPETING IN ATHLETICS AT LINFIELD HAS BEEN…The importance of being fully bought in to the culture of CatBall. From the very beginning when you step onto the field with everyone you immediately know that everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to reach our goal, which is winning a national championship! This lesson has also helped me outside of softball because in order to be successful in life you need to be bought in to what you are doing.
 
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LINFIELD CAREER THUS FAR? The highlight of my career was being named Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week-Pitching after the first weekend of the 2020 season but as a team, it was getting to host Texas Lutheran University for super regionals. The games were competitive and the atmosphere with the fans was unmatched.