Lakeview softball’s pitcher and catcher duo begin to plan their future. The Bulldogs are home to many successful students, some of whom are also very talented in athletics. With college in some futures, two specific athletes have decided where they want to continue their academic and athletic careers for the next four years. Seniors Isabella Isenberg and Mackenzie Stowe have announced their verbal commitment to the universities of Kent State and Otterbein to take their talents to the next level.
Senior, Isabella Isenberg is very involved in her academics including French club, National Honor Society, Senior Beta Club, S.M.A.S.H., Class President, and junior executive committee. With being a straight A student she also was a four year letter winner in varsity basketball and softball. Stowe, also being a four letter year winner in softball and basketball, and has many academic accomplishments as well. A member of the National Honor Society and also Spanish Club.
Throughout high school, Isenberg and Stowe have kept busy by being multi-sport athletes. Playing basketball and softball all through elementary school to today, now being a senior. Both have played travel softball that pretty much never stops. Isenberg and Stowe have been close teammates for as long as they can remember.
When looking back on the support Isenberg has gotten all through her life she states, “all of my past and present teammates have been some of the most encouraging and reassuring people I have come to know, especially my close friends Mackenzie Stowe and Kalyssa Werner. I’m forever thankful for all of my teammates’ support throughout all my moments with each of them.”
Looking forward to a new experience at Kent State, Stowe states,“I am most excited to be challenged past my abilities in order to grow as an athlete and a person. I also am looking forward to branching out into a new environment and meeting new people.”
When asked what helped you make such a big decision of continuing to play, Stowe recalled “My interest sparked when watching Division 1 softball on the tv. Being able to watch the skill, focus, and determination these athletes maintain pushed me to want to achieve similar goals for myself.”
Not only are these athletes aiming to be successful in athletics, they are also looking forward to being in the classroom. With education being the main reason for their decisions, both Universities have great programs and will set them on the right path for a life outside of sports.
At Otterbein University Isenberg exclaims, “I’m also eager to continue learning and taking more specialized classes to my degree in biochemistry.”
Now that Isenberg and Stowe will be competing with older, stronger, and more experienced athletes they are focusing on building strength.
Isenberg claims, “I’ve modified my weight lifting routine as well to correspond more with building my strength and agility as an athlete rather than aiming to just lift as heavy as I can.”
Stowe adds “I will also be given a summer packet by my college coaches that will help me prepare for this next chapter in my life.”
All the work being put into a season that hasn’t started shows the commitment and dedication this duo has. Though they will be splitting soon, recognition is needed for all they have already achieved.
Not only did Stowe break a school record, she broke two! With 11 home runs and 53 rbi’s in a single season. Isenberg followed with exceeding 200 strikeouts this year. All of these accomplishments, but still many more to come with one more year of playing for Lakeview.
Lakeview cannot wait to see what these two hardworking, responsible, and ambitious women do in their next years. Congratulations and good luck to Isenberg and Stowe as they make big steps in forming their future. We wish them the best of luck!
