What defines greatness in a player? Is it the performance or the talent the player possesses? Is it the hard work, the attitude, and the sportsmanship a player has? Brooke Petroelje has all of these abilities at a very competitive level providing a huge foundation for Hamilton softball.
Michael Jordan said, “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.” This is just one of the many things that Brooke Petroelje achieves and uses to influence her peers to greatness. Some of her teammates said something very similar.
“When things are going bad, Brooke is always smiling and saying we got it.” Kianna Vork, a senior pitcher and shortstop, said this about her mentality. This directly relates to Jordan’s quote. Brooke is always energetic and believes that she and the team can put their minds together expecting great things of themselves.
Since Brooke’s first season, Coach Behnke knew that Brooke was going to be a very significant part of the team on and off the field.
“She is going to do what it takes and she is a competitor.” when asked what Brooke’s role is on the team during an interview. Brooke always does what is needed and goes above and beyond while staying joyful. This is not just during practice, she has the competitiveness to take that mentality to the next level and apply it to games and performances.
Teammate Julia Brown added, “Brooke is very persistent, especially when it comes to the game and she always tries her best.”
Speaking of Brooke’s first season, she added later in the interview that her mom, a Hamilton alumni and softball player, was the reason Brooke got into the sport, to begin with at a young age. Softball is a big part of Brooke’s life and her family’s lives. Having multiple family members play the sport really shows the love of the game.
On and off the field Brooke is making an impact on the team.
Brooke said, “I try to be as loud as I can in the dugout and try to give out as many high-fives as I can.” Brooke is trying to give out positive energy wherever she is on the field or when she can. Other teammates are seeing this quality out of her as well.
Kianna Vork said, “She brings excitement and happy energy to our dugout and on the field and especially in the infield. I feel that positivity helps us a lot.” So far in the season, there have been both positive and negative moments in the season. Julia Brown added to that thought.
“She is very supportive when people make an error she builds them back up if they do good things she brings energy to them to show that they did well,” Julia claimed. Going back to positive and negative, other teammates are clearly seeing that Brooke is making a major impact. At practice and in games. Whatever happens, Brooke is going to find positivity and build the team up. Once one person starts bringing others up, people will follow. Brooke has made that process possible and has created a better environment.
A huge part of being a leader is being vocal and leading by example. Brooke possesses both of these qualities.
Julia Brown spoke about this part of Brooke.
“When time-outs are called, she is willing to be the one to talk and get the team back together.” Julia added, “By being a good example herself and doing all the reps correctly and pushing her teammate to do the same.”
These quotes clearly show the leadership that Brooke brings to the team. This leadership ties back to the Michael Jordan quote. Brooke takes it upon herself first to do things right and then influences the others around creating better chemistry within the team.
Brooke isn’t like many other players. Brooke brings a different energy to the team than many other teammates. Both Julia and Kianna had things to say about Brooke being a player like no other.
Kianna claimed, “She’s really funny, she also is good at keeping others up, happy and she helps everyone do better things.”
Julia added, “She pushes herself and doesn’t need other people to motivate her, she has her motivation within her.” All of this shows that Brooke is making a huge impact in a way that is different. This is only positively impacting players and anyone who watches will see this quality.
Wrapping back around to what defines greatness, there may not be a specific definition, but if you really want to know, look at Brooke Petroelje in any aspect of her life. She constantly lifts others above herself and cares a lot about what she puts her effort into.