By FRED KRONER
When Karsen Rupp joins the Kankakee Community College softball program in the fall, she will have one part of the process covered.
Making a transition to a new coaching staff has become second nature for the Oakwood High School senior.
“For high school ball, I have had three different sets of coaches, so I got new information on ways to improve,” Rupp said.
Her ability to adapt to different sources of knowledge and styles of coaching began well before Rupp was a freshman.
She started playing softball as a 5-year-old, “because it was the sport that I could start the earliest, and both of my aunts had played, too,” Rupp said.
By the time Rupp was 8, she had joined a travel team and was under the tutelage of Randy Skaggs, currently the Westville High School head coach.
Skaggs made an impact that has lasted for a decade.
“He had put it in my mind that I would be great for playing at the next level,” Rupp said. “I always thought that I would play in college.”
She recently accepted a full scholarship to play at Kankakee Community College.
Rupp traces her development to her entrance into softball at a young age.
“I think that starting early made me develop better skills,” Rupp said, “like for example pitching. Starting early helped me develop more, and I went to lessons.”
She currently plays travel ball for the Danville-based Post 210 Lady Speakers 18U.
Rupp’s early intent was to go to college further away than 75 miles from home.
“I actually wanted to go far away to meet new people and experience not being around people I know,” Rupp said. “I’m only playing with one girl I know at Kankakee, so I can still have that experience.
“I am also close enough to home that I would be able to come home some weekends and see my friends and family, which is convenient.”
Rupp initially visited Kankakee in early January.
“It was my first college visit and I thought the campus itself and the facilities were very nice,” she said.
In February, she visited Hocking (Ohio) College (in Nelsonville), which is about five hours from her hometown.
“I didn’t necessarily have a connection there, but I did talk to the coaches on my recruiting profile and I texted them,” Rupp said.
She wound up with several offers, though ultimately chose the first school she visited.
“Kankakee seemed like the best fit for me,” Rupp said.
She didn’t believe that COVID-19 limited her options.
“I honestly felt like for me the recruiting process seemed the same as it always had been,” Rupp said, “creating an online profile with videos of you playing and your skills, and then contacting coaches via text or email.”
At Oakwood, Rupp earned 10 varsity letters, four in softball and three each in basketball and volleyball.
Of all the sports, softball continues to top her favorite’s list.
“I have played softball the longest, and in my opinion, it was my strongest sport,” Rupp said. “I started it earlier than the others, so I had more knowledge about the game at a younger age.
“Softball is just my favorite sport and it always has been.”
She etched her name in the Comets’ all-time record-book, stealing 35 bases this spring while breaking a mark that had stood since 2000 when Ashley Wendell swiped 32 bases.
“Karsen has a great work ethic in the weight room, on and off the field,” Oakwood coach Lexi Smith said. “She shows leadership skills, and is a teammate who is willing to help younger players with their swings, techniques, and skills.”
Rupp’s versatility is also an asset.
“Karsen can be used anywhere in the field,” Smith said. “This year she has covered much ground. Her main position is pitching, but we have had multiple injuries with other players.
“She has taken on the role as a catcher and outfielder this year. She will definitely have a different view of softball at the next level. She has a good game mentality in general, but she will increase on the skills and knowledge she already has learned.”
On her travel team, Rupp normally plays in the outfield, usually left field. For the Comets, she has caught and played center field in addition to her time pitching.
She is ready to take her game to the next level.
“I can see myself fitting in very well,” Rupp said. “I can talk to anyone no matter if I know them or not, and my personality is very uplifting, but I also know when it is time to be serious.
“The areas I should improve on are outfield, base running, and hitting/slapping. They also want to have me pitch some, which is not one of my strongest abilities, so I will have to work on that as well.”
As a senior, Rupp batted .425 for the Comets. She had four home runs, five triples and five doubles. She drove in 23 runs and recorded a slugging average of .795 for a team that ended with a 7-20 overall record.
As a pitcher, she registered 95 strikeouts and four wins this year. Among her highlights was a 10-0 shutout over Heritage as well as pitching Oakwood to a 14-1 triumph against Chrisman.
Rupp plans on majoring in criminal justice and said long term, “I am hoping to be working at a law firm or maybe even having my own, as I want to be a lawyer.”
The realization that her softball goals had been achieved hit home the day she signed her letter of intent.
“I am just really excited to play at the next level,” Rupp said. “I am excited to have this opportunity.”
Smith believes the best is yet to come for Rupp.
“I can’t wait to see her break records and leave a mark at Kankakee just as she did at Oakwood High School,” Smith said. “It has been a pleasure coaching her the past two years.”
