Vici High School’s Raquel Todd
Vici junior infielder Raquel Todd does not take the field alone. She carries her father’s voice, her coaches’ guidance and her teammates’ belief in her every time she pulls on a Vici High School softball jersey.
Todd, a junior who splits time at shortstop and second base in fast pitch and plays rover in slow pitch, said the people closest to the program are the ones who keep her pushing forward. She points first to her father for always supporting her and demanding her best, even when things are difficult. Her coaches are next in line, offering constant tips and instruction that sharpen her skills and help her grow. Then there are her teammates, who inspire her not to give in when adversity hits.
“The people who inspire me the most are my father, my teammates and my coaches,” Todd said. “Their support and motivation remind me that when I step on the field, I’m not only playing for myself, but for them too.”
That team-first mindset shows how she views the game. Todd said one of the best unwritten rules in softball is to always back up your teammates, both physically and emotionally. For her, that means hustling to support every throw and every play and picking up a teammate after an error instead of letting them dwell on it.
On the dirt, Todd embraces the demands of the infield. Staying active and quick on her feet is a must at shortstop and second, but it has become even more challenging as she works back from a knee injury. In slow pitch, roaming as the rover tests her ability to read the ball off the bat, position herself correctly and close gaps in the outfield.
At the plate, Todd leans on a simple routine. Before every at-bat, she takes a deep breath to shake off pressure and clear her mind. She reminds herself not to drop her shoulder and to stay patient, hunting the right pitch and trusting the work she has put in during practice to produce solid contact.
Away from the diamond, Todd is as involved as she is between the lines. She enjoys singing, spending time with her church youth group, catching up on sleep and taking part in extracurricular activities. In the classroom, her favorite subject is English, thanks to teacher Chism Sander, who she said makes her want to show up for class.
What matters most to Todd, though, is the bond inside the Vici dugout. She said her teammates, from freshmen to seniors, have become some of her best friends, the kind she can lean on in any situation. Vocal teammate Mia Cole, constant comedian Abby Poulson and ever-dirty-uniformed Hannah Nance are just a few of the personalities who keep the Lady Indians loose and laughing.
“What I love most about my team and teammates is the strong relationships I have with everyone,” Todd said. “I know I can come to them on and off the field, and they will always be there for me.”
