Alani Nguyen admits to being a “schedule person.” The Chico State softball standout feels she’s most productive adhering to a daily routine that encompasses both her academic and athletic pursuits. As a true freshman, she was on schedule to be a major part of the Wildcats’ success in 2020. But in mid-March, COVID-19 threw everything completely out of whack, halting Nguyen’s first college season after just 21 games, and raising ominous question marks for the future. Despite this setback, Nguyen has maintained her optimism and stayed active through the pandemic while preparing for an eventual return to play. Being in the Chico State spotlight may not have been of her schedule, but Nguyen shines as the latest Wildcat of the Week.
“Without a schedule my life is like, everywhere” Nguyen said. “(Before COVID) I went to school, worked out, practiced, and went home. Now everything’s online and it’s up to me to be responsible for being accountable and doing my work.”
Nguyen, who has spent most of the pandemic in her hometown of Buena Park, was one of the many bright spots for the Wildcats during the first weeks of the ill-fated 2020 campaign. She batted .313 with two home runs and 15 runs batted, helping the Wildcats fire out of the gates with a 19-2 record and ascend to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings. Her .541 on-base percentage was second-highest among all CCAA hitters.
“Actually, going into (the season) I was pretty nervous. I didn’t think (moving from high school to college ball) was going to be easy,” Nguyen said. “My coaches and (teammates) made the transition so much easier. All the girls, especially (seniors) Kristin (Worley) and Sam (Mulock) took the freshmen under their wing. I think that’s a big reason why the program is so successful. We have a great bond. We talk and communicate and get along with each other. It’s like a big sisterhood.”
Once she got going, Nguyen was, as she put it, “living the dream of being a college athlete.” She reached base three times in her first game, and the following day collected her first hit as a Wildcat while knocking in a pair of runs against nationally-ranked Concordia Irvine.
On February 21, 2020, Nguyen reached base in each of her eight plate appearances, scored four times, belted a pair of home runs and drove in six runs in the Wildcats’ doubleheader sweep of Humboldt State. As a result, she was named the CCAA’s Player of the Week—a rare feat for a freshman.
“I was totally taken aback at winning that honor,” Nguyen said. “And being named Wildcat of the Week a few weeks before. That first home run in Humboldt…it was an amazing feeling coming off the bat. It’s a feeling like no other.”
Chico State not only flew to the top of the CCAA standings but also in the national rankings. The Wildcats were ranked No. 2 in the country when COVID-19 abruptly shut down play for the remainder of the spring. The chance to compete for the Division II national championship was dashed.
“It was tough pill to swallow,” Nguyen remembers about getting the official word that the 2020 campaign was cancelled. “We were all in a team meeting when coach (Angel Shamblin) told us about the season. I really felt bad for our seniors; not knowing if they would lose a year of eligibility. It was devastating.”
Nguyen concentrated on her studies for the rest of the spring semester, and was rewarded with CCAA All-Academic honors for the 2019–20 academic year. She returned in August knowing fall sports had been suspended, but still held out hope that the Wildcat softball team would be able to return to the field in the spring.
“I honestly thought going into the fall semester we would at least start practicing after winter break,” Nguyen said. “We were all preparing and conditioning, thinking it might happen.”
Instead, the announcement came in December that all sports would be cancelled in 2020–21.
“My heart dropped,” Nguyen said of the disappointing news. “As an underclassman, I haven’t played a full season of softball, but I know that next year I will be an upperclassman and I want to take a leadership role with the team. But it’s kind of hard. I still kind of feel like an underclassman, because it’ll be close to two years since I’ve been on the field.”
Despite not being able to play, Nguyen has remained positive and productive during the pandemic.
“I’m spending a lot of time focusing on my studies and academics, and reflecting on myself,” Nguyen said. “During the season we’re so busy, we don’t really check in with ourselves on how we’re doing mentally, so I’m taking more time for that. I’ve taken up hobbies like yoga and meditation, and been getting into nature. Hiking is really soothing on my mind.”
Academically, she’s adjusted to working towards her business administration degree via virtual classes.
“Personally, it’s a lot harder for me online,” Nguyen said. “I just learn better face-to-face and being interactive. I’ve taken advantage of Chico State’s online tutoring for some of my classes. I’m working hard and it’s going to pay off.”
While studying from home, Nguyen has taken a part-time job as a hostess at Off Street Café in Cerritos. She’s also found time to help out her old hitting coach, Mike Schroeder, give young players softball lessons—and it’s brightened her spirits immensely.
“Teaching little girls how to hit is the best experience,” Nguyen said. “It’s provided a very positive aspect to my life…it’s made me love softball that much more. It really helps to fill the void.”
An experienced hand with power tools, Nguyen is also helping her parents remodel their home.
“We’re doing everything ourselves,” she said. “Tile, drywall. It’s been fun working together. It’s been good family time.”
Nguyen is making sure to stay in touch with another family—her Chico State softball teammates. She is particularly close with Maddy Johnson and Drew Rodriguez, but thanks to the Internet, she relishes every chance she gets to interact with everyone on the team.
“We actually just had a team Zoom meeting last week,” Nguyen said. “(After the recent winter break) it was so nice to see them. It’s kind of like a breath of fresh air, and gives me hope for the time when we finally get back together on the field.”
To that end, Nguyen is doing all she can do to be ready to compete.
“It’s been a little bit of a challenge,” she said. “I don’t have a gym membership, so I’ve been running a lot, jumping rope, and using light dumbbells and resistance bands. Coach Colin (Coughenour, Chico State’s strength and conditioning coach) has a body weight conditioning program on our Blackboard page, so I utilize that as well.”
Nguyen is looking forward to returning to Chico and re-experiencing the college environment she fell in love with as a freshman.
“I miss walking across campus. I miss the hustle of being a student-athlete,” Nguyen said. “Even though I dreaded those morning workouts at 6:45, I miss them. I miss those in-person lectures.”
Throughout the ordeal that is the coronavirus pandemic, Nguyen remains optimistic for the future. She hopes her fellow Chico State student-athletes feel the same.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Nguyen said. “We just have to stay positive and know we’re going to get through this, and that we’ll only come out stronger on the other side.”
And that’s the sort of confident thinking that can work into just about everybody’s schedule.
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