Completed Event: Softball versus Iowa on April 21, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 7
Final
Softball
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Iowa
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Iowa State University Athletics
Leading Off With Courtney Wray
04.16.2008 | Softball
AMES, Iowa - Each week Cyclones.com will bring you inside the Iowa State softball program by asking at least five questions to one member of the team. This week's featured student-athlete is Courtney Wray, a sophomore from Overland Park, Kan. Wray is second on the team with a .368 average and is two hits shy of 100 for her career.
Cyclones.com: You are playing in the outfield after playing shortstop last year and at the start of this season. Have you ever played outfield before? How has the transition went and how have fellow outfielders Kristy Olsen and Kelsey Kidwell helped in the transition to the outfield?
Wray: I have played the outfield a couple times before in high school and summer ball, but never in college. The transition has been pretty easy because my summer coach made us take outfield practice every day, even if we were an infielder. Kelsey and Kristy have been helping me out by answering all the questions I have and by watching them in practice I can pick up on how the outfield does things differently. What helped the most in the transition was my openness and excitement for learning a new position.
Cyclones.com: You have improved your batting average by over 100 points from your freshman year and are nearing 100 career hits as just a sophomore. What did you focus on last summer as you were practicing that you feel has benefited you the most?
Wray: Over the summer, I really worked a lot on tees, breaking my swing down. Just working on fundamentals, along with my mental game, has helped me the most.
Being a lot more confident at the plate has helped me out greatly by just believing in all the hard work I have put in. I am way more confident this year that I can hit any pitcher.
Cyclones.com: You have three homers this season after hitting none a year ago as a slap hitter. Are you more comfortable hitting as a stationary hitter this year after making the switch? Was it a big adjustment for you and did you anticipate having as much success at the plate as you are having?
Wray: I am very comfortable hitting away this year, after slapping all of last year. I hit away from time to time last year, but always went back to slapping. This year my team needed me to be a power hitter so I worked on that this summer. A couple times this year, I have gone back to slapping as a game plan because of a certain pitcher I am facing. I didn't ever anticipate hitting homeruns and I don't usually “swing for the fences”, but the three home runs I have had this year have been very exciting!
Cyclones.com: You've spent most of your career hitting in the two spot in the lineup until lately when you have moved to the three hole. How does your approach change as you move down the lineup?
Wray: Moving from two to three hole hitter has only changed my job at the plate. I saw my position as the two hole to move the leadoff runner and to just put the ball in play. Now that I am a three hole hitter, I rely more on power and trying to score the first two batters. It hasn't changed my mental game, just the plan for what I am going to do at the plate to help score my teammates.
Cyclones.com: Which teammate(s) do you enjoy watching play the most? Why?
Wray: I love watching all my teammates practice every day because they are so determined to get better. My favorite player to watch is Michelle Dettmer because she is always diving and always giving the extra effort in everything she does. It's awesome to see how far she has come. That has helped my transition to the outfield by just watching her in practice.
Cyclones.com: You are a kinesiology/physical therapy major. What are your career aspirations after you graduate from Iowa State?
Wray: I plan on going to school for physical therapy after I graduate. I have always wanted to be a Physical Therapist working with athletes and people helping them rehabilitate.
Players Mentioned
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