Leading off our virtual Senior Day is Kathryn Smith. Also known as KD, she played catcher and infield for the Notre Dame College softball team. In her time on the field, she played in 90 games, held a .980 fielding percentage and ranks third in NDC history by throwing out 15 runners attempting to steal. KD earned Academic All-MEC honors twice in her career. This season, she was hitting .389 after six games.

KD is a sports management major with a minor in coaching. The Seville, Ohio native chose to pursue this major because sports have always been a large portion of her life. With this degree "I can be around sports in a new way on the business side," she said.

When talking about her family, she said, "they pick me up when I am struggling and they push me to be better in every aspect of life every single day. There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am for them. I could not do it without them."

And to her teammates and coaches, she was very thankful to have them all. "[The coaches] challenge us daily, they support us through every milestone and they genuinely care about us as people," she said. "And my teammates are my best friends. There are so many different personalities and characters on our team and it really keeps every day fun."

Continue reading and see all of KD's answers on Senior Day!

Were you involved in clubs/organizations on campus?
SAAC

You've obviously changed throughout your college experience at NDC since you first stepped on campus. What are a couple things that you are proud of?
I'm proud of the leadership skills I developed. I'm proud of being a team captain. I'm proud of who I have become.

What is one thing about being a Division II student-athlete that you think everyone should know about?
I think everyone should know that nothing is given at this level. We work hard day in and day out and we earn everything here. Nothing comes easy but it is so rewarding.

What is one thing that people would never know about you?
Honestly I don't have any hidden talents but I really enjoy singing, especially with my sisters.

Who is a person that you met on-campus that you've developed a relationship with outside of your sport? What would you tell them?
I have developed so many great relationships through my time at NDC. I'm very thankful for all of my professors for always caring about my education on an individual and personal level.

Is there a course that you took while studying at NDC that you expected to hate but ended up learning a lot and loving it?
I expected to hate legal issues in sports because it was an extra long night class. I ended up becoming so interested in the civil law cases we talked about and really engaged myself in every lecture. It ended up being one of my very favorite classes.

What does attending Notre Dame College for your undergraduate career mean to you? Why did you choose NDC?
Attending NDC for undergrad meant more to me than I ever really thought possible. I chose NDC because of the small size and how well-respected the student-athlete community is here. This place ended up being way more than just a school for me, it became a place I can call home with people I will always consider family.

In your opinion, what's something that's worth binge-watching right now?
All American on Netflix is definitely binge-worthy. I have watched it twice now.

What is a favorite memory you've had from your career as a student-athlete at NDC?
All the memories I have made here are my favorite, but van rides for away trips were always the absolute best. We always listened to the best music (the Dutton's), played the funniest games, and had the best talks. And we can't forget about Jimmy Johns and Wendy's. I never thought I would enjoy being stuck in a van for 5-6 hours.

What's another favorite memory you've had from your career as a student-athlete at NDC?
Our Team Bonding week this year was one of my favorite memories here. We had a scavenger hunt, pizza cook off, a lip sync battle, and we learned how to "adult." We ended the week with the first ever alumni game and it was a really great time.

Describe your favorite in-game moment, or favorite game, from your collegiate career.
My Junior year we were at Walsh University. It was a beautiful day for softball, but I was in a slump that day. For some reason I couldn't figure it out at the plate and I was getting very frustrated. Softball is such a mental game. I was the first batter one inning and I remember looking at Coach Stopp and saying "I'm going to let Jesus take the wheel for this at-bat" and she said "that's a really great idea." And sure enough I stepped up to the plate and started the inning with a double. And I had a few more hits after that. That moment of taking the pressure off, remembering that the game does not define me and playing for Jesus was a moment that I'll never forget the rest of my life.

How has your family impacted your career as a student-athlete at NDC? What would you tell them?
I am really blessed with the most supportive family members. My parents hardly ever missed a game, even if I wasn't playing. My sisters always supported my career as well, and they motivate me more than they know. They were always willing to travel any distance and pay any amount they had to for me to live my dream. They pick me up when I am struggling and they push me to be better in every aspect of life every single day. There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am for them. I could not do it without them.

If you could say anything to your coaches and teammates regarding the impact they've had on you, what would it be?
I don't even know where to begin. Our coaching staff has led this team with the highest level of integrity and grace that I have ever seen since the minute they started. They took this program and gave it everything it needed. They are changing the direction and making it something special to be a part of. They challenge us daily, they support us through every milestone and they genuinely care about us as people. I am so grateful to have coaches that know and respect us for who we are and genuinely care about us way beyond the game. And my teammates are my best friends. There are so many different personalities and characters on our team and it really keeps every day fun. I have been given the opportunity to play with some of the best-hearted people that share my same love for the game over my years spent here and every teammate has left a lasting impact on my heart.

Was playing collegiate sports what you though it would be?
Playing college softball was way more than I ever could've dreamed. It pushed me, molded me and changed me in ways I never would've thought possible. My best advice for recruits is to enjoy every single minute. Enjoy waking up at 4:30am for practice, enjoy doing 100 burpees and running 300s, enjoy every hotel stay and game day. Enjoy the time spent with your teammates and enjoy getting to be a part of something like this. Because every moment I spent here I wish I could live twice. Once it's over, it's over. NDC softball will forever have my heart and I hope that this program can impact recruits in the way that is has done for me.

Can you elaborate on what you will be doing next year? How do you feel about it?
I have a lot of big decisions to make coming up very fast. And of course I'm nervous but I have a lot of trust that God will put me exactly where I need to be when I need to be there, and that brings all the excitement in the world.