By Greg Bates
Correspondent
DE PERE – Basketball has always been Rachel Kerkhoff’s passion.
It’s the sport she dedicates most of her time to.
Specializing in basketball crossed Kerkhoff’s mind, but softball has played an important part in her becoming a well-rounded athlete at De Pere.
“My mom and I talked about it a lot, and we both decided that I shouldn’t be a one-sport athlete,” Kerkhoff said. “I always enjoyed softball, so I decided to make that one my second one.”
Good choice.
The Redbirds senior has been a standout in both sports for four years.
Now she’s getting recognized statewide for her stellar career in basketball and softball.
Kerkhoff was selected to play in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Game as well as the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (WFSCA) All-Star Game this summer.
“Honestly, I’m so honored, and I really couldn’t have done it without my teammates and my coaches for pushing me hard,” said Kerkhoff, who will graduate from De Pere June 3. “I give a lot of thanks to them rather than me.”
Kerkhoff – who was a two-year starter in basketball and three-year starter in softball at De Pere – was informed following the basketball season she made the WBCA All-Star Game; she found out a few weeks ago about the WFSCA All-Star Game.
“I was really surprised, but I think I was most surprised with softball,” Kerkhoff said. “I put a lot more time into basketball, which a lot of people probably know.”
With Division 1 rosters for softball not up on the WFSCA website yet, it’s not known if Kerkhoff is the only athlete throughout the state to get chosen to play in both events. If there are other players, Kerkhoff is still among a select few.
“I guess it shows how much work I put in, and it’s worth it,” She said.
Kerkhoff is looking forward to playing in the basketball all-star game a bit more than softball.
For basketball, players are in Wisconsin Dells for a week leading up to the game at the Justagame Fieldhouse June 14 at 4 p.m.
Softball is just a two-day event. The WFSCA All-Star Game will be held June 18 in Wisconsin Dells as well.
Kerkhoff will be on the 10-player Division 1 North squad for basketball. She is hoping to take away a lot of positives from the week.
“Just meeting new people, having fun and getting to play the sport again,” Kerkhoff said.
The De Pere girls’ basketball team had a solid season thanks in large part to Kerkhoff.
As a guard, she averaged a team-leading 14.6 points and 3.4 assists per game as the Redbirds went 16-8 and advanced to a regional final.
She left the program as a member of the 1,000-point club.
“I think I learned a lot of leadership skills, which then I carried onto softball,” Kerkhoff said. “That helped a lot with the team this year.”
De Pere softball also had a strong year, finishing the regular season with a 15-8 record.
Playing in the all-star games marks the final time she laces up her shoes and cleats as a high school player.
It will also be Kerkhoff’s last competitive games as an athlete, as she is heading off to the University of Nebraska in the fall and won’t be playing intercollegiate activities.
“I had to think about it a lot, but I thought it would be best to focus on my education rather than sports because my education will take me further,” Kerkhoff said.
She had interest from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire along with UW-La Crosse to play basketball. However, she’s confident she made the right decision.
Kerkhoff chose to attend Nebraska because of its renowned pharmacy school. She is planning on majoring in either pharmacy or biomedical engineering.
Attending classes and doing schoolwork will occupy the majority of Kerkhoff’s time in college, but she hopes to compete in club or intramural sports to keep her active and keep that competitive drive alive.
Playing in the all-star games will provide a little lasting impression.
“I get one more chance to play again in the sports I love,” Kerkhoff said.