Menu
Cougars Brewer, Williams, Schmitz make future plans certain
BAINBRIDGE – Spring can be a frenetic period for seniors who are still trying to make major decisions, such as where to attend college the following year, all while trying to stay on top of a busy athletics season and finish final exams.
It won’t be quite as stressful for three North Putnam athletes as Kyndal Brewer, Emma Williams and Brilye Schmitz all signed letters of intent to continue playing softball next year.
Brewer will head to Lincoln Trail College, Williams to Oakland City University and Schmitz to Grace College starting in the 2023-24 school year.
Kyndal Brewer
Of the three, Brewer will be leaving the state while enjoying the options that come with a two-year program.
“I really liked the fact of going to a junior college and the two-year option when it comes to a nursing degree,” Brewer said. “I went there and fell in love with the setting, which felt like North Putnam, a family feel that has a close community.
“Everybody was welcoming when I was down there. Going through the halls, teachers greeted me and I loved everything about the campus.
“Chloe Sprinkle went to Lincoln Trail, so I asked her how it was and she said she loved it,” Brewer added. “That helped seal the deal.”
Brewer said she was looking to become a nurse with several options on the table.
“I’m looking to go into labor and delivery,” Brewer said about what nursing area she was interested in. “If I don’t stick to that, I would get my nurse practitioner’s license and to stick immediate care.
“I had an option to get an ASN but I can also take the opportunity to finish my bachelor’s in nursing and all my credits will carry over.”
The Statesmen finished 28-32 last season with Brewer stating she would be joining the rotation with additional opportunities available.
“The coaches have said I’ll be a pitcher,” Brewer said. “If I prove myself, I will also be in the field and hitting.”
Being in Illinois would be the biggest change once college approaches according to Brewer with a small squad helping to make the adjustment easier.
“I don’t think there will be too much transition socially as it’s a small team as they carry 20 people, so it’s about a high school-size team,” Brewer said. “The biggest transition is being in a different state far from home and far from everyone else.
“My pitching coach is also in Brownsburg, so when I’m off, I’ll still be going to see her.”
Still in basketball season, college softball is a long way in the distance but Brewer was eager to get started in the fall at Lincoln Trail.
“I’m very excited,” Brewer said. “The fall season begins once I get there after high school, so I’m looking forward to that a lot.”
Emma Williams
For the Cougar catcher, everything about the visit to Oakland City was calling out to her.
“I like the small size,” Williams said about the campus. “There were so many signs when I visited there.
“They were playing my favorite worship song in the chapel when I went by. They had us park on Williams Street, in the 43rd spot, which is my number. It was awesome.”
Similar to Brewer, Williams said the campus, located in Oakland City, had a small school feel but still had a strong business program to study under.
“it’s a small, homely campus,” Williams said. “It reminds of Putnam County in a way.
“I’m looking to going into business accounting but not sure what part of business yet.”
The Mighty Oaks went 20-28 last season with Williams stating she would likely be thrown in early and often in the starting lineup.
“It’s a small program,” Williams said about the softball team. “They go back-and-forth and had a pretty good season last year.
“I’ll be catching, working me in to the rotation. The senior catcher they have is having a surgery soon so I’ll likely take over the spot.”
A little over two hours from home, Williams said being away from family would take time to get used to.
“I won’t be seeing my family as much, which I’m always hanging around with them,” Williams said. “Making new friends will be a little weird.
“Academics-wise, I’m taking a lot of courses right now that challenge me, so I’ll be fine on that front.”
Though still months away, Williams said it was a goal of hers to play collegiate ball and one she would soon be accomplishing.
“I’m pretty excited,” Williams said about joining the Oakland City softball program. “It’s what I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid.”
Brilye Schmitz
The sight of Lake Winona on the campus of Grace College often draws in visitors and for Schmitz, it was a scenic spot that helped cement the decision to attend the school in Northern Indiana.
“Whenever I visited Grace, there’s a lake right there, which is very pretty, and it has one of the best nursing programs in the state,” Schmitz said. “The campus is kind of small, reminding me of North Putnam.
“I’m going there for nursing and softball is a plus. I want to become an RN and then take a test to become a flight nurse.”
The Lancers finished 14-33 in 2022, still a near 10-game improvement in the win column, with Schmitz being tabbed to see time in the field right away.
“I had never really heard of Grace until looking into nursing programs that also had places to play softball,” Schmitz noted. “The coaches offered me a spot on varsity so I’ll be playing third base and catching.”
Softball isn’t the only thing Schmitz will be aiming to do at Grace.
The Cougar senior is also a cheerleader at North Putnam and said she will be aiming to do the same for the Lancers.
“I’m going to go up in a couple months for an open gym,” Schmitz said about trying out for the cheerleading squad. “It will be at that point that they’ll offer me to join or not.”
Two sets of practices, on top of studying nursing, will place a premium on scheduling, something Schmitz said would be the biggest challenge attending the school.
“It’s a lot about time management,” Schmitz said. “Nursing is a hard major to deal with not only doing one sport as I’m also looking to cheer up there.
“Grace has a lot of activities to do to get to know people so I’m not as worried about that.”
While still in the middle of basketball season and softball still coming up, Schmitz said she was ready to make the jump once the year ended.
“I’m really excited,” Schmitz said. “The coaches are amazing and I can’t wait to see them every day.
“Their job is to visit with us every day as well as lead practice.”