The Connection

Mount Vernon center fielder Stormy Zyzyk has an impressive list of personal accolades.

She’s a three-time first-team all-district/conference selection, and garnered first-team all-region honors on two occasions.

As a junior in the spring of 2014, the 5-foot-2 left-hander was named first-team all-state in 5A by the Virginia High School Coaches Association.

She batted .474 with 28 RBIs and scored 37 runs in 25 games, with an on-base percentage of .610. Zyzyk’s personal success led to wins for the Mount Vernon softball team as the Majors finished 20-5 and reached the Conference 13 championship game.

While Zyzyk awaits the start of her senior season, she recently made official her college plans, signing a letter of intent to play softball at Towson University.

Zyzyk recently participated in a Q&A via email with The Gazette.

Q: What made Towson the right choice for you?

Zyzyk: My freshman year I stepped on to campus and fell in love with the school, not just the softball program but it as a whole. They have an excellent exercise science program that can help me reach my goal of being a physical therapist.

Q: What position will you play in college?

Zyzyk: I'll play outfield.

Q: At what point did you realize playing college softball was a possibility for you?

Zyzyk: I was always told there's a level of play in college for everyone, but I realized I could play at a high competitive level when I went to a camp out in Las Vegas [during my sophomore year] with girls who towered over me, and little ole' me was keeping up with them and the coaches were choosing to talk to me over them.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about college?

Zyzyk: The challenge that it'll bring me, on the field and in the classroom.

Q: Do you have a specific pregame ritual you go through?

Zyzyk: I have to eat a PB&J before. I listen to the classical music to keep me calm and get my mind focused.

Q: What is your favorite memory of high school softball to this point?

Zyzyk: Definitely going the [conference] championship game my junior year. I never experienced a championship game during high school up until that moment. We worked so hard and even though we came up short, it was a great experience.

Q: What are your expectations for your senior season?

Zyzyk: I'm only expecting my best and to improve my quality of play to help take my team to another championship game.

Q: Who is your favorite music artist? Why?

Zyzyk: Carrie Underwood; she's worked her way up to the top and sets a good example.

Q: What is your favorite movie? Why?

Zyzyk: “A League of Their Own;” it's a classic.

Q: What is your favorite food?

Zyzyk: I love all food. But I would have to say my mom's enchiladas.

Q: What location is the farthest you have traveled from the Washington, D.C. area?

Zyzyk: Grand Caymans.

Q: Are you a pro sports fan? If so, what is your favorite team/teams?

Zyzyk: Nationals.

Q: Do you have a favorite pro athlete?

Zyzyk: Jason Heyward. I love the way he plays the game. And Michelle Moultrie. She's loyal to the game she loves and I wish I could be as good as her.