Q&A With Lindsay Norfleet
Monday, May 2, 2005 | Softball
GatorZone: What made you decide to attend the University of Florida?
Lindsay Norfleet: I have been a Gator my entire life; it wouldn't have felt right going anywhere else.
GZ: When did you realize that you wanted to play softball at a collegiate level?
LN: The minute I began to play the game, I fell in love with it and knew that it could someday pay for my education.
GZ: You were valedictorian for your high school class of 2002. What was that like?
LN: It wasn't too weird. It was quite an honor. I had worked very hard to be No. 1 because I knew without doing well in school, I wouldn't be able to get into the University of Florida outright.
GZ: Who besides yourself has most contributed to your success as a softball player?
LN: My family, everyone has supported my every move no matter what. My parents and little brother went all over the state just to watch me play ball during the travel ball days; they made it possible for me to be seen during the recruiting process. Without my family's support, who knows what could have happened… I could have ended up at FSU… yuck!
GZ: Does your jersey number, 32, have any significance to you?
LN: Well I wore 23 up until high school but when I got here an upper classmen already had 23; I switched the numbers around, and it just stuck with me.
GZ: Last year you started games at both second and third base. Which position would you rather play and why?
LN: Second base definitely, just because I have played there for the majority of my career and besides, I don't have the "cat-like" reflexes that you need to be a great third basemen.
GZ: What is your major and what do you plan on doing after college?
LN: I am a public relations major and plans after college aren't really set in stone yet. I would love to work in sports or entertainment, but you never know, right?
GZ: Did you play any other sports besides softball in high school?
LN: Believe it or not, I played volleyball my freshman year despite my size. We weren't that good, it was the first year my school had a volleyball team. To tell you the truth, I don't think we won a single game… lessons learned, right?
GZ: As a junior, what advice do you have for some of the younger girls on the team?
LN: Never settle for being second best and realize that bad days will come. Great players learn to work through those days and fight until the great day finally comes. If you don't give up, you won't have regrets; nothing is worse than saying, "What if?"
GZ: What are some of your favorite places to go in Gainesville?
LN: My favorite place is either my house or (Mandy) Schuerman and Nikki (Baldwin)'s place. I just love to be around those that are closest to me because when we get together, we do nothing but laugh at each other. I also enjoy Tony (Meacham)'s office when I am on campus, there is no place better to catch up on sleep during classes. Without Tony and his office, I don't think I could make it.
GZ: What do you think are the team's greatest strengths and weaknesses?
LN: One of our greatest strengths is our chemistry; we are probably the closest "team" there is in college softball right now. Everyone seems to be on the same page, and that is pretty rare when dealing with more than 20 girls. We also swing some pretty tough bats which I feel will help us a lot this year in the close games. Our only weakness is, well, I can't really think of any right now!
GZ: Who is/was your sports idol growing up and why?
LN: Oh wow, I had so many. I had one in almost every sport, both men's and women's. Michael Jordan was always at the top of my list just because the man is amazing and such a great player; he dominated anyone that opposed him but you would have never known it talking to him. He was humble, and I look up to that. I also had a really big crush and still do on Javy Lopez, but I can't say I looked up to him, just a harmless crush, that's all.
GZ: What is your best memory from softball at UF so far?
LN: It would definitely have to be the Clearwater tournament earlier this season. Not only did we beat Oklahoma, but we kept them scoreless. A close second would be when I hit my first career homerun in California last year to help us beat Cal. State Northridge.
GZ: Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you share with your friends or team?
LN: We have quite a few that we share between us, so many that I can't narrow it down to one. But for the most part, our main goal is to have fun, because when you have fun, you do great. Always know that if you think it, it is. Mind over matter is not just a saying, it is really true.
GZ: Who is your favorite musician right now, and what kind of music do you normally listen to?
LN: I don't really have one favorite. I listen to everything from country to a little rap; it just depends on the mood I am in and the situation. But I do have to say that my pump up song before games right now is "This is How We Do" by The Game and 50 Cent. Who knows what it will be next week, haha!
