Spring season is a critical time in softball, providing the coaching staff with the opportunity to evaluate student-athletes and determine who deserves a spot on the roster for the season. At MATC, Softball Coach Joe Kunter shines a spotlight on freshman Rylyn Paulick.
Who is Rylyn Paulick?
Paulick graduated from Case High School in Racine, WI. She is enthusiastic about the spring season with the MATC softball team. “I am most excited to see how much our team grows together on and off the field, as well as seeing where everyone, including myself, ends up.” During her offseason, Paulick spends the majority of her time working, going to the gym, and spending time with her friends. “I work at a little daycare in my hometown both in and off-season.” She enjoys R&B music, with her top two artists being Drake and SZA.
From High School to College
The freshman second baseman and pitcher explained the challenges she has faced while being a teammate. “I think my biggest challenge was adapting to the new environment and team,” she said. “Starting at a whole new level with people I’ve never met before was different for me.” Paulick expressed the changes she experienced over the past four years, leaving behind the bonds she had with former coaches and teammates in high school. “Having to create all new bonds with my coaches and teammates was hard but has shown me that softball can bring some of the strongest bonds out there,” she said.
Joining College Softball
Joining the softball team, Paulick already found her best friends who have made a huge impact in her life and helped her become a better player. “In such a short time, they have helped me build my confidence on the field tremendously.” She said whenever the game gets hard for her, her friends are always right there to remind her why she’s doing what she does. “They show me how it’s so much more than just a game,” she said. Her coaches have also played a significant role in her growth as a player. “While they can be hard on me, and we have ups and downs, they have driven me to always prove that I can do whatever I am given,” she said. Paulick cherishes the bond she has with coach Steve (Assistant Coach Steve Champagne), who has been a huge support system for her when times get tough and when she feels like giving up.
Mother’s Influence: Paulick’s Softball Journey
Paulick shares that her biggest inspiration both on and off the field is her mother, “My mom has always been there for me, from my first tee-ball game to playing college softball.” There hasn’t been a time that her mother hasn’t shown up or was always watching her livestream games. “My mom always made sure to get me to every practice, every game, and every activity surrounding softball, even when she has her own stuff going on,” she said. Paulick added that her mother never gave her the impression that she couldn’t do whatever she wanted to do or whoever she wanted to be. “I don’t think she has ever realized that showing up and pushing me to find my love for the sport has single-handedly been the reason I continue to play.” Paulick mentions that without her mother, she wouldn’t be where she is today.
Routine of a Student Athlete
As a student-athlete, Paulick’s schedule is packed, balancing classes, practice, and staying fit in the gym. “I continue to work a full-time job while being a full-time athlete and student,” she said. In the spring semester, she decided to take online classes, which made her schedule a little bit easier. “It gives me the freedom to do my work at my own pace.” Paulick works at a daycare from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then heads straight from work to practice at 3 p.m. “I do my schoolwork after practice, on weekends, and during nap time or breaks while at work,” she said.
Less Softball More Helping Others
Paulick is not interested in pursuing D1 softball. In the future, she sees herself earning a degree in the Medical Diagnostic Sonography Program, aiming to become an ultrasound tech. “In 5 to 10 years, I hope to have my degree in sonography and become a travel ultrasound technician, helping mothers see the lives they’ve created…” she says. Paulick not only wants to travel the world and discover new places but hopes that one day she will settle down and start her own family.
Coach Kunter
Women’s Softball Head Coach Joe Kunter praised Rylyn’s dedication to practice and academics. He described her as being selfless and always thinking about her teammates, willing to sacrifice her playing time to give others an opportunity. “She works hard in the classroom with a grade point average above 3.3 and she doesn’t miss practice,” he said. “Not only does she not miss practice, but she also doesn’t miss the fundraising opportunities at American Family Field, working Brewers games for the team.” Coach Kunter believes that Paulick exemplifies the qualities that all coaches look for in recruiting softball players: a blend of dedication, selflessness, and hard work both on and off the field.
