Softball: Julia Larson, Fox All-Area Captain

On a team full of standout players, many of whom are going on to play softball at the college level, it's sometimes difficult to find a leader.

Not at St. Charles North.

Introducing Julia Larson.

The North Stars' third baseman the past two years checked all the leadership boxes both on and off the field, and because she did, she's been selected as the captain of the Daily Herald's Fox All-Area Softball Team for 2023.

"Julia is as good as we have seen here at St. Charles North and we have had some great players over the years," said 12th-year North Stars coach Tom Poulin. "She was one of our captains and a very impactful leader for our younger players. Julia has the ability to lead in a variety of ways. She led vocally, she would lead by example, and also would help teach the game to her teammates. Her impact will be felt for years to come.

"Julia is as effective a leader and captain as I have ever coached. She makes her teammates better. She has a way with words and can help her teammates feel more confident, especially in times of adversity, but she also takes time to work in the cage and get in some extra reps defensively. She is more than willing to stay after practice and help a teammate get in some extra work. In game, she is constantly talking to our pitchers in between pitches and encouraging them."

That says a mouthful for a program that won the Class 4A state championship in 2022 and advanced to the sectional finals this season.

Statistically, Larson had a stellar 2023 season with the bat for a team that won the DuKane Conference title, and finished 22-8. She hit .520 (51-for-98), had a .538 OBP, 1.374 OPS, and .837 slugging percentage. She had 13 doubles, 6 home runs, 45 RBI, and 38 runs scored, And, she was 17-for-17 stealing bases.

All the while, playing third base, a position she just took up a year ago.

"The part of my game that I believe improved the most is my ability to read the batter and what they may be doing while playing third base," said Larson, the middle child of Eric and Joy Larson's three daughters Linnea (20) and Macy (15).

"Historically I have been an outfielder but in the past two years I have had to take on the role as a third baseman. Being able to know when someone is going to bunt versus hit gives you a major advantage. Additionally, I believe that my power numbers have increased this season (doubles and HRs)."

Added Poulin: "Statistically, she shows that she can do it all on the field. Hit for power, for average, bunt for a hit, steal bases, score runs, drive in runs- whatever the team needed, she would do."

All which led to Larson being a leader.

"As an underclassman I always looked up to the upperclassmen leadership on high school teams," said Larson, who also played basketball for the North Stars.

"I always took notice on their reactions in stressful situations. Watching them helped me to know how to act when I was the one being looked at. My experiences in my high school career at softball and basketball were the reason I was able to be such a good leader."

Poulin looked at Larson as a player/coach.

"She is like an additional member of our coaching staff, with the way that she motivates, breaks down opponents and thinks strategically during the game. Julia is a high achieving honor student who has excelled as a student. She was recently named our SCN Female Athlete of the Year. Julia is just a winner. She is a champion in all she does."

Playing for Bill Conroy's Beverly Bandits travel team helped Larson hone her craft as well.

"By playing on arguably the best travel team in the country I play with some of the best players in the country," said Larson, who will major in finance and play softball at Illinois State next year.

"When joining the team I needed to step up to the tempo and talent that these girls played with. Also playing for Bill Conroy I needed to play at his high level of strategy."

Larson, who lists basketball, golf, and wakesurfing as her favorite hobbies, now prepares to move on to the next level, but not before taking a moment to reflect on the past two years at SCN.

"Although our season ended sooner than we had hoped it was still successful," she said. "We won state last year and that isn't something that anyone can take away from us. We would have liked to get a chance to win it again but the game of softball is unpredictable sometimes.

"I'm very excited to play at the next level and play for the ISU coaching staff. My hope is to be a significant contributor to the team."

She certainly has left her mark on Poulin and the SCN program.

Personally, I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work with her," Poulin said. "I have coached a lot of outstanding kids over the years and Julia Larson is as memorable as they come."