For 3-Sport Athlete Righi, No Break in the Action at Sandburg

BY ZACH AUSTIN
Carl Sandburg College
GALESBURG — Natalie Righi hasn't had an offseason since coming to Carl Sandburg College almost two years ago.

The primary reason 5-foot-8 sophomore from Pekin came to Sandburg was that she was not ready to commit to one sport after playing volleyball, basketball and softball in high school. Righi initially came here to play volleyball and softball. She then got asked to be on the women's basketball team and had no hesitation in joining.

"What am I going to do? Have an offseason? No!" Righi said, recalling the decision.

She has managed to balance being in a sport year-round while taking a sizable course load and being a successful student. Righi has been on the dean's list each of her first three semesters at Sandburg and was named to the NJCAA All-Academic First Team as a freshman. After graduating this May, she plans to transfer to a four-year college and study to be a dermatologist.

Righi has played a significant role on all three teams she's part of. She appeared in 30 matches during volleyball season and was a mainstay in the rotation as a right side for the Chargers' Arrowhead Conference championship team. During basketball season, the forward battled a foot injury but still averaged 6.9 points per game and was third on the team with 5.7 rebounds per contest. Through Wednesday, she's batting .293 with three home runs and two steals while starting at shortstop for the Chargers' softball team.

Despite having so much on her plate at Sandburg, Righi said it's actually less of a challenge now than it was juggling practices, games, open gyms and her grades during high school.

"Now that I'm here, I have three classes, so it seems easier," Righi said. "It's like, oh, I have so much time in the day. I was at least putting in 12 hours a day in high school between getting to school at 6:45 for early bird and then having practice after school."

Asked what she would do if she did not play sports, Righi said she'd "probably cry," but it would give her more time for baking chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake, one of her favorite things to do in her limited free time.

Known for her gregarious personality, Righi has no problem expanding her comfort zone. During Righi's freshman year, for example, women's golf coach Gail Hannam came to volleyball practice one day and asked if anyone was willing to play for the Chargers in the region tournament because they were short a player. Righi raised her hand and said she would, despite having zero experience in the sport aside from playing miniature golf.

"I think joining the golf team just displays my willingness to try new things and my outgoing ability," Righi said.

One of the biggest things the three-sport athlete has taken away from her career is the friendships that have come out of being part of so many teams as a Charger.

"So many friendships have come from athletics. Here at Sandburg, it definitely was a way to meet people that I can see in my friendships long-term," Righi said. "I feel like we're a big community, and a lot of that community is connected through athletics." 

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