NCAA DIVISION III WEEK STORY (NCAA.ORG)
MIAC DIVISION III WEEK PAGE
During the week of April 9-15, the NCAA and its partners are celebrating Division III Week. Division III Week is an opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement.
Kylee Persing (SR, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS) is a four-year member of the Augsburg softball team. A two-time MIAC Athlete-of-the-Week selection, Persing has been the Auggies' top pitcher during the past two seasons. In her pitching career at Augsburg, Persing has appeared in 70 games, with 28-18 record, 5.22 ERA, 157 strikeouts and .297 opponent batting average with three shutouts and two saves.
At the plate. Persing has appeared in 121 career games (114 starts), and holds a .281 career batting average (88-of-313), with 59 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 56 RBI, .431 slugging percentage, .347 on-base percentage and 15 stolen bases in 19 attempts. Persing currently stands second in school history in career home runs (10) and tied for 10th in career RBI (56).
An Academic All-MIAC selection during the past two seasons, Persing currently holds a 3.79 grade-point average as a biology and chemistry double-major. Persing is preparing for a career in the medical profession following her graduation from Augsburg this spring, and will spend the next year working and volunteering at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Question-Answer with Kylee Persing:
Q: What will you take away from your Augsburg athletic experience?
A: One of the things that I will take away from my athletic experience here at Augsburg is the ability to perform under pressure, even when it is not one of your best days. I am always told, as a pitcher, that I need to be able to win games even if I don't have my “best stuff” that day. Especially this year. I have learned that the most and will be able to use that when I enter the workplace.
Q: Why did you choose Division III?
A: I knew once I finished high school that I wanted to continue with my athletics. Division III seemed like the perfect balance between school and athletics. I am able to focus on my academic career, while still being able to play my sport competitively.
Q: Why did you choose Augsburg?
A: I actually didn't find out about Augsburg until the winter of my senior year of high school. When I met the coach that winter and then went for a visit to the school, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to go as soon as I set foot on campus. It was just a perfect fit for me. The combination of the campus and the ability for me to keep playing sports made me choose Augsburg.
Q: What have been the benefits to participating in a D-III athletic program?
A: The biggest benefits of participating in a D-III athletic program is my ability to focus on my academics and also still be able to have a social life outside of the program.
Q: What does it mean to you to be an Auggie?
A: To be an Auggie is a sense of pride. You conduct yourself in a manner that is respectful. You play competitively and never give in to anything.
Q: What would you tell a prospective student-athlete about Augsburg?
A: Augsburg College is a unique college. There is a diversity here that you won't find at many D-III schools. The placement of Augsburg is ideal as well. It is in the middle of the city, so you can either explore more of the city or have that small college feel by staying on campus. I also believe that the athletic-academic combination is ideal too. The coaches and professors work together to give you the best experience you could ask for.
