May 8, 2007

Sophomore Randi Kreiter leads the team in doubles with 11, is tied for the team lead in home runs with three and is second on the team in runs batted in with 27.

Why did you decide to come to NIU?

"I transferred from Madison (The University of Wisconsin) after my first semester my freshman year. I was just going to go home, but I sent out some more letters and me and Donna [Martin] started to talk and I just decided to come. However, I really thought I was just going to go home, Northern wasn't even on my list of places to play."

What do you enjoy most about being an athlete at NIU?

"The competition obviously, but I absolutely love my team, love it, and not to sound cocky but people love us. We are a great team to be around so that helps a lot."

What is the toughest part about being an athlete at NIU?

"Schoolwork, and then missing class and then trying to make up schoolwork."

What is your most memorable moment at NIU?

"Well the two years I have been here we have made it into the MAC Tournament which I guess is a big accomplishment, because they haven't done that consistently in the past."

What is your favorite road trip while at NIU?

"Florida and Santa Barbara. Both of those places have good weather and great competition."

If you could accomplish just one thing while at NIU, what would it be and why?

"Winning the MAC would definitely be a big accomplishment."

How do you prepare for a big contest? What goes through your mind right before the competition starts?

"I am probably the most unconventional person, I don't really do anything. As a team we do a lot of like screaming and yelling, but that's what we do before we go to each other's houses. It's very similar on and off the field with us so, I do not know what other people do, I really do not have rituals."

Who has been your biggest inspiration in your career?

"I would probably say my high school coach, Susan Johnson. She played at Northwestern the last time they went to the College World Series, so she is really competitive. I get a lot of my competitiveness from her. I'm so close to her, which is nice. We worked well together."

What's your favorite saying or phrase uttered by your coach?

"Lately, she uses the word "paramount" a lot and then she makes me spell it. That'll do, because the last month she pretty much used it every day."

How has being a student-athlete at NIU helped or changed you?

"It definitely makes me realize how important an education really is, and that I am not just here for softball. Softball is a big part of it and it is keeping me on track but eventually in two years I will not be playing softball anymore. So it is nice to have people kind of set your goals in front of you so you know they are tangible and attainable"

What is your favorite class? What is your least favorite class?

"I would have to say my favorite class so far was EPFE 201 which is "Education is an agent for change." My teacher was really cool. My least favorite class I would say is my math class, it's a two hour math class."

What is your favorite activity outside of sports?

"I would say hanging out with my team, I know it's sounds cliché but, my best friends are on the team. It's great."

Where is your favorite place to eat in DeKalb? Why?

"This is a tuffy. Probably Pita Pete's because I like Pitas"

If you could have dinner with 3 people in history, who would it be and why?

"Jackie Robinson, obviously. Also Anne Frank and Chris Farley."

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? Why?

"The title would be `Stealing Second' because I never do it and I might as well go for it."

Who would play you in the movie about your life? Why?

"I would say one of my favorite actresses is Sandra Bullock, but we are not anywhere alike, it's perfect. I think that she is a good actress, and I am cool so I need someone cool to play someone cool."

Complete the following statements:

The song I can't stop listening to right now is...

"I would say `You in Your Hand Tonight' by Pink."

I am the video game champion of...

"I don't play a lot of video games."

TV show I can't stop watching right now is...

"Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader."

My favorite all-time movie is...

"I would say `Hook.'"

Funniest thing that's ever happened to me is...

"Honestly, recently the funniest/embarrassing thing is I fell right in the middle of the field, it was absolutely hilarious and so funny. That was the worst."

The words I try to live by are...

"Don't settle for anything less."