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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gopher Spotlight: MaKenna Partain
2/24/2021 3:53:00 PM | Softball
Since her freshman year, MaKenna Partain has started in over 200 games for the Golden Gophers and is the program single-season runs record holder with 66. She ranks third all-time in school history with 185 runs scored and fifth with a .375 career batting average. Partain, a family social science major, earned her degree in the Spring of 2020 with a 3.52 GPA. She earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and 2019 during her academic career. Read more on how Partain decided to come back for her super senior season and what she's most looking forward to this year.
Gophersports: What led to your decision to come back and walk us through that process.
MaKenna Partain: As some people may know, it took me a lot longer to decide whether or not I was coming back. After dedicating my life to a game for 18 years, I was ready to experience life beyond softball. However, after talking with a lot of friends and family, I knew I would never get this chance again and I had to take it. There is no better feeling than being a Gopher softball player so getting to experience that for one more year was worth any doubts.
GS: You've already received your bachelor's degree, what are you currently studying and what would you like to do when you're finished?
MP: Currently I'm doing a graduate certificate program in human resource and development. Once I am done with softball and this certificate, I eventually want to go to graduate school to become a child life specialist.
GS: You're a part of four super seniors that decided to return. Did you discuss amongst yourselves about all coming back or was it individual based?
MP: Right away the seniors started a group text to talk about what our plans were, but ultimately it was an individual based decision. I definitely had some one-on-one conversations with each senior and wanted to hear what they had to say about it as well. Throughout your years in college you spend so much time with your fellow classmates and become so close with them through all the shared experiences you go through. After watching most of them commit to come back and play for one more year, I knew there was no way I could say no.
GS: You're opening this weekend against Big Ten play. What will it be like for you to just start the season against conference opponents?
MP: To no surprise, this year has already been a whirlwind with everything Covid-19. Starting the year against Big Ten opponents is something no one knew was going to for sure happen, but ultimately our conference made the safest decision for us as student athletes. Playing against only Big Ten teams makes it even more exciting to try and win that Big Ten Championship. This year will be the true testament to who is the best in the Big Ten and I'm excited to chase that title with my teammates.
GS: You're going to have some freshmen on the team that has never experienced a road trip or the start of the season. What advice do you have for your younger teammates?
MP: My advice for my younger teammates is to enjoy EVERY second. These years really do fly by and it's amazing how much you can miss if you check out for one second. This season is extremely different from previous years, but it will be special in its own. This game is the same game that we all fell in love with when we were young girls and now we're the players that those young girls get to look up to. It is an honor and a privilege to wear the "M" across our chest and represent those that came before us and those that are going to come after.
GS: What are you most excited for this season?
MP: I'm just excited to play the game. This is the last time I will ever play softball, so I am taking the time to enjoy and appreciate everything it has given me. I've truly appreciated the long practice days, memories and laughs with my teammates, and everything else this game gives us. I'm excited to represent Minnesota with pride and show everyone what we can do this year.
Gophersports: What led to your decision to come back and walk us through that process.
MaKenna Partain: As some people may know, it took me a lot longer to decide whether or not I was coming back. After dedicating my life to a game for 18 years, I was ready to experience life beyond softball. However, after talking with a lot of friends and family, I knew I would never get this chance again and I had to take it. There is no better feeling than being a Gopher softball player so getting to experience that for one more year was worth any doubts.
GS: You've already received your bachelor's degree, what are you currently studying and what would you like to do when you're finished?
MP: Currently I'm doing a graduate certificate program in human resource and development. Once I am done with softball and this certificate, I eventually want to go to graduate school to become a child life specialist.
GS: You're a part of four super seniors that decided to return. Did you discuss amongst yourselves about all coming back or was it individual based?
MP: Right away the seniors started a group text to talk about what our plans were, but ultimately it was an individual based decision. I definitely had some one-on-one conversations with each senior and wanted to hear what they had to say about it as well. Throughout your years in college you spend so much time with your fellow classmates and become so close with them through all the shared experiences you go through. After watching most of them commit to come back and play for one more year, I knew there was no way I could say no.
GS: You're opening this weekend against Big Ten play. What will it be like for you to just start the season against conference opponents?
MP: To no surprise, this year has already been a whirlwind with everything Covid-19. Starting the year against Big Ten opponents is something no one knew was going to for sure happen, but ultimately our conference made the safest decision for us as student athletes. Playing against only Big Ten teams makes it even more exciting to try and win that Big Ten Championship. This year will be the true testament to who is the best in the Big Ten and I'm excited to chase that title with my teammates.
GS: You're going to have some freshmen on the team that has never experienced a road trip or the start of the season. What advice do you have for your younger teammates?
MP: My advice for my younger teammates is to enjoy EVERY second. These years really do fly by and it's amazing how much you can miss if you check out for one second. This season is extremely different from previous years, but it will be special in its own. This game is the same game that we all fell in love with when we were young girls and now we're the players that those young girls get to look up to. It is an honor and a privilege to wear the "M" across our chest and represent those that came before us and those that are going to come after.
GS: What are you most excited for this season?
MP: I'm just excited to play the game. This is the last time I will ever play softball, so I am taking the time to enjoy and appreciate everything it has given me. I've truly appreciated the long practice days, memories and laughs with my teammates, and everything else this game gives us. I'm excited to represent Minnesota with pride and show everyone what we can do this year.
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Saturday, February 21
Highlights: Gophers 11, NMSU 4
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Friday, February 13