University of North Texas Athletics
Behind The Plate With Christen Jonse
2/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
North Texas will play Louisiana Tech and
NT is 0-1 in the series against the Bearkats and will be facing LA Tech for the first time.
Junior catcher Christen Jonse says it doesn’t matter who the Mean Green opens with. “We are going to hit hard no matter who it is,” said Jonse after practice on Monday. The junior’s positive attitude is similar to that of the entire Mean Green roster, which is ready for the three-year-old program to get on the winning track.
Jonse is no stranger to starting up a new softball program. As a freshman in high school, the Manor,
“Both teams struggled to get to know each other, ballplayer wise,” said Jonse. Yet, being a part of new division I program was what attracted Jonse to
The last two years, Jonse has been a fixture behind the plate. She has started the majority of the games and saw her offensive numbers jump as a sophomore. Despite playing in 30 fewer games her sophomore year, Jonse posted 11 hits for extra bases, compared to four her freshman year.
Jonse and the rest of the Mean Green will open its home season on Wednesday, Feb. 15 in a doubleheader against
More Q&A with Jonse
Q: When did you start playing softball?
A: I was a late-bloomer. I started when I was in seventh grade. I started our first C league, youth league.
Q: How did you become a catcher?
A: I became a catcher because of the movie, A League of Our Own. I always used to go over my grandmother’s and she would rent it for me. I would watch it a hundred times and she would get so mad at me. I would go outside and try and catch the ball behind my back, like in the movie. Now every time I see it, I go, I became a catcher because of Geena Davis’.”
Q: Did you play any other positions?
A: When I first started playing, I played first base because I was left-handed.
Q: Is it unusual for a catcher to be left-handed?
A: It was. When I was in high school, I was told division I schools would not want a lefty catcher. It is starting to be more acceptable now.
Q: When you are catching, do you have a different relationship with each pitcher?
A: Yes, I do. I know how Tina (Kristina Fowler) responds, and I am starting to learn our new pitchers. Tina and I can say nothing but get across so much. Just through body language.
Q: What do you think your role is on the team?
A: I feel I am a silent leader. I am there behind the scenes. I am willing to do whatever it takes.
Q: What have you learned the past two years?
A: We need to stick together as a team. I think this year is going to be so much better. We are all focused on the same goal. We have hit some hard times the last two years, but we have bounced back and continued.
Q: How would you describe this team?
A: Hard-working and focused. We are so excited to start playing.
Q: What song are you going to hit to?
A: I think I am going to go back to Brickhouse (by Lionel Richie & The Commodores). It describes me as a catcher.
Q: What was the last movie you saw?
A: Rumor Has It, with Jennifer Aniston. It was different. I hadn’t seen The Graduate, so I thought it was funny.
Q: A TV show you won’t miss?
A: One Tree Hill and The Simpsons
Q: What do you think of the new facilities?
A: Our locker room is great.
Q: Your teammates call you the class clown. Is that accurate?
A: I like to keep everyone laughing.
Q: How would you describe some of your teammates?
A: Tina is the hardest worker I have ever known. Kelei is also a class clown.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
A: I have a dog, Bo. His mom was a rottweiler and a german shepherd and his dad was a bulldog. I got him in July. He will be at the home games with a green jacket.
