Dominance on the field and in the classroom
Danica Quinn “DQ” has been a gamechanger for Rocky Mountain’s softball team. Over the last three years, the now senior, has been noticed in many different categories. In 2023 she received the honorable mention Utility of the year award. Last year she was awarded second team outfield, for her performance at state. Danica is fearless. She is a fluid middle infielder, with some of the quickest hands around. She makes a backhand in the five six hole look routine every time. Last year she batted 400 with eight home runs, and a 400 on base percent.
Her talents are not only on the field but in the classroom as well. When asked how she can be successful at both athletics and academics she replies, “Student first always. We are student athletes, so if that means I need to miss practice or skip the gym for a day I am willing to do that” During the interview Danica mentioned that she has a problem with procrastinating, like many athletes with busy schedules. When asked about this she replied with, “I do struggle with this, however I do use my resources. When I am procrastinating it’s hard to keep up, but when I don’t, I am able to fit everything in my schedule.” In 2024 Danica committed to Embry Riddle, an NAIA College. She is going to study Space Physics. A question that intrigues most people is why did an athlete pick a certain school? Danica replied to this by saying, “There are very few schools that have both a softball team and my major. When I visited the school, I quickly realized that this was going to be the place for me. They have an incredible coaching staff, and I can’t wait to be a part of their program.”
With the upcoming season approaching quickly Danica expressed how excited she is for her last season as a Grizz. She said, “My goals for the season are to make everyone fit in and feel comfortable around each other.” Danica is a natural leader. She not only leads verbally, but also in her actions as well. She is quick to pick up her teammates after an error or strike out. Danica is very self-less, she will have your back on and off the field.
In the season opener against Middleton, Danica started at short stop. By the fifth inning she was put into pitch. Her third at bat of the game she hit her first home run of the season. She had batting average of 593. A fielding percent of 1.000 as well as a on base percent of 667. In just the first eight games of the seasons she has hit five homeruns. She is very humble, and very calm on the field. She is the loudest in the dugout, and
Coach Higgenbotham has coached Danica all four years she’s played for Rocky. When asked about how seeing her growth and development over the last four years, he replied, “I have had the opportunity to coach Danny since she was a freshman. Her first year she wasn’t really ready for the varsity level her freshman year. She just got thrown in. She continued to compete and work very hard. She has made huge strides every year. In all my years I have never seen another player make a bigger impact on a team than her. She is the best hitter in Idaho right now. She will do great things in softball and in life. I have been lucky to be apart of her journey.”
Danica has been a asset to the Rocky Mountain’s softball team. Her senior year is off to a great start. She is averaging one homerun every game. We wish her the best of luck in softball and college. She will do great things on and off the field.
Photo caption: Danica Quinn hitting homerun vs Mountain view Taken by: Travis Quinn
