Geneva's Stribling brings confidence to stage, field

Catching up with Clare Stribling

A Geneva junior already in her third year as starting catcher on the Vikings softball team, Clare Stribling employs fancy footwork not only behind the plate but onstage. Following graduated ballplayers Marly Eimerman and Kristyn Ruitenberg, the 16-year-old Stribling used her choir background to become the third straight softball player to land the lead female role in Geneva's musical production. #8220;Her acting was as strong as her singing,#8221; said Vikings softball coach Greg Dierks, who last year saw Stribling clout a home run and steal 7 bases without being thrown out. A St. Charles native who as a youngster lived three years in Stirling, Scotland, before moving to Geneva, she is the youngest of four children born to Ken and Colleen Stribling. (Dan Stribling, Class of '10, was captain of Geneva's ultimate Frisbee club team.) Having stopped playing both soccer and volleyball by the eighth grade to concentrate on softball, Clare also plays for the Northern Illinois Lightning's Under-16 team, along with Kaneland pitcher Alexis Villarreal and St. Charles North's Sara Hausl, among others from the Tri-Cities and Fox Valley area. Stribling spoke after returning from an audition for Geneva's annual variety show, the #8220;Viking Review.#8221;

Q: Coming off your performance in #8220;The Secret Garden,#8221; what can Stribling fans look forward to in #8220;Viking Review#8221;?

A: I'm singing in two small groups and we're singing a song from #8220;Rent#8221; and a song from #8220;Spring Awakening.#8221;

Q: What's your range, or vocal classification?

A: I would consider myself a mezzo-soprano. I can sing low and I can sing high, I'm basically all over the place. I'm not in the lowest range and I'm not in the absolute highest of the high, but I sing pretty high.

Q: What's your favorite musical?

A: It's kind of interesting, my favorite musical is #8220;Sweeney Todd.#8221;

Q: That seems an odd choice. Why?

A: There's a lot more to it than people would think. It's not just about blood and baking people into pies. The music is really good and the story, if you look past the really raw killing and murder, it's a good story.

Q: This is a stretch, but are there any similarities between being onstage and behind the plate?

A: They're pretty different worlds, but I guess in the same way #8212; at least in #8220;The Secret Garden#8221; #8212; it was basically be loud and be confident. In both worlds, I guess. Be confident and know your job and help your team.

Q: Any influences in either venue?

A: What's really important to me is just having a good team behind you, or having good people around you in shows and on your team. People you can trust and you can laugh and work hard with at the same time.

Q: Ever been called for catcher's interference?

A: Yes, I have. It is embarrassing, and it hurts.

Q: Where did the bat hit you?

A: Right on the forearm.

Q: You told me you started playing organized ball since the second grade, and took up catching immediately. How did that happen?

A: I remember back when I played with the Park District I was actually one of the only people that wanted to do it. ... I tried pitching and I tried everything else, but I felt like I was in on every play, and I guess I thought I looked pretty cool in all the gear.

Q: What have you worked on most as a catcher?

A: I probably would have to say my throwdowns and increasing my speed and arm strength.

Q: Do you like playing in the Upstate Eight Conference?

A: I'm not sure yet. A lot of girls that I know are in schools that are in the Upstate Eight, which is kind of cool. We haven't played too many people yet, so I'm not quite sure what to expect yet.

Q: What is something most people don't know about you?

A: I play the ukulele and I put videos on YouTube. I don't normally do songs that are meant for the ukulele, but I've done songs by Belle and Sebastian, and I've done a song by a Scottish rock band (Biffy Clyro).

Q: What contemporary singers do you like?

A: Honestly, I'm not a fan of (Lady) Gaga or Katy Perry. I like singers like Adele and I like Michael Bublé. I just have a really random iPod. Just about any kind of music is on there.

Q: Did you enjoy a curtain call after #8220;The Secret Garden#8221;?

A: I did. I was the last one to go out on the curtain call. I felt really honored. It's a really weird thing to stand up there and have people clapping for you, but it was really flattering, too.

College achievers

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater recently announced the recipients of its Chancellor Scholar-Athlete award for 2010-11.

Nominated by coaches, the seniors needed to have participated in sports for three year, achieved a minimum grade-point average of 3.25 as of last fall semester and earned at least 90 degree credits.

St. Charles North graduate Melanie Helgeson and West Aurora product Kate McDonnell were among the 37 Warhawks to receive a commemorative watch from Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer.

Helgeson, a golfer, has a 3.365 GPA with a major in marketing and a minor in public relations. She's been on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honor Roll two years, earning the WIAC's top scholar-athlete award for golf in 2010. Steeped in community service as well, Helgeson finished second as an individual at Whitewater's own golf tournament.

McDonnell, a second baseman on the softball team, is tearing it up in her marketing major and Spanish minor, to the tune of a 3.850 GPA. Like Helgeson a veteran of community service, McDonnell has been on the Dean's list seven semesters, on the WIAC Honor Roll for three years, and is a National Fastpitch Coaches Association scholar-athlete. On the field, McDonnell was last season's Whitewater sportswomen of the year for softball, a returning all-conference pick who played on the Division III runner-up squad in 2008.

At Illinois State, senior co-captain and Rosary graduate Amy Schaefer was named one of two swimmers to earn most valuable honors. It was the third straight season she won the award.

She began the season with a personal-best time in the 1,650-yard freestyle, and ended it as a member of several Redbird record-breaking relays.

At the Missouri Valley Conference meet, Schaefer first helped break the 200 freestyle mark. She returned the second day to help set program records in the 200 medley and the 800 freestyle relays. On the third day of the conference meet she was on a record-setting 400 freestyle relay. In addition, Schaefer was secretary of the Student Athlete Advisory Council.

Fore!

Among the hallmarks of Kaneland boys basketball coach Brian Johnson are successive 17-win seasons #8212; and a second straight year of the program's annual golf outing.

Foursomes and sponsorships are still available for the June 11 event at Bliss Creek Golf Course in Sugar Grove. A fundraiser for the boys basketball program, it raises money for uniforms, equipment and fees for summer leagues and shootouts.

Local businesses, alumni and Kaneland supporters have contributed a variety of prizes available in a raffle, as well as in a silent auction.

The golf scramble costs $400 a foursome, but for those who wish to stick solely with the dinner to follow it's $35. To attend, make a donation or become a sponsor, reach coach Brian Johnson at (630) 365-5100, ext. 347, or e-mail brian.johnson@kaneland.org.

doberhelman@dailyherald.com