Jenna Woltman Will Continue Softball Career at Butler University . . . In Two Years

Jenna Woltman has a dream and she's taken a big step towards that dream by signing early to continue her softball playing career at Butler University.

The Effingham St. Anthony High School junior still has two years remaining to play for the Bulldogs and will continue to work on improving her skills at the high school level.

"I still think I have things to work on," said Woltman. "I continue to work on every aspect of my game, no matter how well I'm doing. For example; one day my swing might feel off so I go in the garage or down in the basement and hit off the tee, I just have to face each aspect as it comes."

Woltman began sending emails, statistics and videos to colleges at the beginning of her sophomore year.

"Butler was on my list. I chose Butler because of the campus size and academics. I originally went to an "All Skills" camp at Butler and found out that there was another camp the following week for catching and hitting. The first camp they didn't notice me, but the second camp Coach Scott Hall noticed my hitting and said he really liked it. He asked me to talk to him after the camp and that's where it all started.

"He asked me to schedule a visit and a campus tour sometime very soon. I went Friday, August 7, but he didn't make an offer at that time. He wanted to see me play in person, in a game. So the plan was to send him a fall softball schedule as soon as I got it.

"Well, when I got home I sent him some videos of me playing both high school and summer ball. Shortly after that, my summer softball coach called me and asked me to give Coach Hall a call. He made me an offer to play for Butler and said he couldn't wait anymore. Because of NCAA rules I have to call Coach Hall."

Woltman plays shortstop and pitches for St. Anthony. She hit .412 as a freshman with one home run and 29 RBI. Her sophomore season she hit .577 with four home runs and 48 RBI. She was named second team All-State and made the National Trail All-Conference team.

"My strengths are that I can play any position on the field. At my 2015 ASA Nationals I played right field, caught, and then went to center field all in one game. You can put me in any position and I will play to the best of my ability. I play wherever the team needs me. Another strength is, I can hit line drives, home runs or beat out a bunt-for-a-hit."

Woltman also plays volleyball at St. Anthony.

"My freshman year I played freshman/sophomore, junior varsity, and varsity. My sophomore year I also played
all three levels playing every varsity game except for the ones I couldn't due to handbook rules of playing too many tournaments. I also participate in Pep Club, Spanish Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes."

Woltman, the daughter of Dan and Diana Woltman, has an older sister,Meghan who also played volleyball and softball at St. Anthony all four years and basketball her freshman year. Meghan is a junior at Southern Indiana University and chose not to continue her softball career at college where she is in the nursing program.

"I plan on majoring in Pre-Veterinarean Medicine," said Woltman. "I would also like to add that I am very thankful for all the coaches I have had throughout the years, and for my parents' time, driving me to and from practices and tournaments and spending their hard earned money so I could fulfill my dreams."