6B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
17
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18. 2004
Sports
Shortstop is team's 'Money' player
Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC
Destiny Frankenstein, Broken Arrow, Oklaw, junior, earned the Oklahoma high school Gatorade Player of the Year in 2001 and is the team's starting shortstop.
GOING DEEP
SHANE KUCERA
skucera@kansan.com
Softball leader dominates field leads by example
Editor's Note: Athletes at the University of Kansas are more than just victories and statistics — they're real people with opinions on sports, life and love. Each Thursday, Kansan sportwriter Shane Kucera sits with a student athlete and discusses issues beyond the playing field.
Kansas arguably has the most memorable name in all of college sports: Destiny Frankenstein. The softball team's junior shortstop from Broken Arrow, Okla., has a lot more than a unique name.
Kansas recruited Frankenstein after she earned Oklahoma high school Gatorade Player of the Year in 2001 and was chosen as an All-American.
She has continued her success at Kansas, starting at shortstop since her freshman year and proving to be a dominant player at the plate and on the bases.
This week, Frankenstein talks about her life on and off the softball field.
Q: What are some of the highlights of playing softball?
A: One of the biggest highlights was getting a new field. That was a big deal to all of us because we were on the old school field and when we got that donation we got a really good field. Softball itself is a team sport with an individual concept. You really have to be a team player, but you also have to do your job when it's your turn
Q: How did you get the nickname "Money?"
A: Actually, that's from Ashley Goodrich and Jessica Moppin. Jessica plays second base next to me, so when we do something,
she's like, "That was money!" They both started calling me that, but the team makes fun of me because it's only those two.
Q: Do you think of yourself as a team leader?
A: I think this year's team is full of team leaders, but I try to lead by example. I wouldn't put myself out there if my队 didn't depend on me.
Q: How did your parents come up with the name Destiny?
A: Well, my sister's name is Cherish, so I guess they couldn't leave me out in the cold with a name like Amanda or something. They had to come up with something, and it took them a really long time to get pregnant with me, so I think it was kind of a fate issue for them.
Q: Do people ask you if you've read the book *Frankenstein*?
A: Yeah, and all the movies.
They always ask me about Young Frankenstein, and I just say, 'Yeah it's a cool movie.' People always quote stuff at me, and I'm just like, 'I have no idea what you're talking about.'
Q: What made you choose Kansas over other schools offering you a scholarship?
A: I like the tradition here. When I was young I went to a basketball game and, you know, that's a really big deal. And, the family; this team got to know me as a person, and I know they weren't just depending on me to be just an athlete. They were really looking at who I was and how I fit in with the team, and I really liked that.
Q: What's your favorite weekend spot in Lawrence?
A: My bed. No, I like to eat, so we go out to eat a lot as a team.
I don't really do anything
because our weeks are so packed that on the weekends, I just hang around. I do love Jimmy John's. They even know my order. I'll walk in and they'll know exactly what I want.
Q: Do you want to go on with softball after college?
A: I would love to, but it's really competitive, especially since the sport is growing. They're bringing back the women's professional league. I don't know how that's going to take, but I'll probably try. I would love to be in the Olympics, but I mean, who doesn't want to be? Every day I work towards bettering myself, and I can't see my life without softball — either if it's coaching or playing, I'd like to do it.
Q: If our baseball team played a game of softball against your team, who would win?
A: Well, if they could hit the ball they could win, because they could definitely rock it.
G: Have you ever heard of softball players using steroids?
A: I haven't ever heard of it personally, but I would think if they want to do it, it would be there.
Q: How is religion incorporated into your life?
A: When somebody says something to you, you always have in the forefront of your mind that you're a good person, and God is always watching — that's comforting, you know.
Q: What do you want to be doing in five years?
A: I'd like to be out of school. But coaching. I love to coach whatever level that could be. I could see myself coaching or summer-ball coaching when I'm doing whatever job I decide to do.
Q: When did you get your tongue ring?
A: My senior year in high school. I took it out my freshman year and I hit really bad, and I'm really superstitious, so I had to go get it redone. My parent and my coaches were not very happy about it. I don't play without it, it's just there, comforting to know.
Kucera is an Omaha, Neb., senior in journalism.
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