Athlete Spotlight: James Wood softball player Ivy Rosenberry

James Wood High School 16-year-old junior

Sport: Softball. Position: Pitcher

Parents: Kim and Rich Rosenberry

Hometown: Winchester

What do you love about softball: The satisfaction of winning as a team, and the team bonding things that we get to do. And the atmosphere. There’s nothing like being at a softball game. It’s kind of its own little world.

Most memorable moment in softball: Definitely beating Sherando last year. (James Wood scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win 5-4 against Sherando in the Class 4 Northwestern District championship game.) It was a pretty big win. It came down to the last pitch. It was definitely a dogfight. I was the run that came in to win, and crossing home plate was the best feeling ever.

Most embarrassing moment in softball: One time I was pitching in a game when I was 8 or 9, and the ball just slipped and it went straight up in the air. There were definitely some comments after that, but they were all positive. Just people joking.

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: Definitely [actress] Rebel Wilson. She’s pretty funny. I’d definitely have a fun time with her. My grandma Karen Babaie; she’s really funny and we have a fun time together. And David Ortiz; he’s my idol. He’s a really good hitter. When I was younger, hitting home runs and running around the bases like he did was pretty cool for me.

What’s the best athletic advice you’ve ever received: Probably just to be the best. My first travel ball coach when I was 9, Jeff Sykes, would tell me that. With that motto, you give it all you have, and you want to be the best one on the field, on any field that you’re playing on. That’s something I definitely strive for. To be the best pitcher, the best hitter, things like that. Usually, whenever you’re the best, your team ends up doing pretty good.

If you could go on a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go: Definitely the [Women’s] College World Series. I always wanted to go out to Oklahoma City to see that. It’s the best of the best out there, and I hope one day I can get there, too.

Favorite teacher: [Alyson] Burkhart. She teaches driver’s ed at James Wood. I transferred to James Wood when I was a sophomore, and she really took me right in as if I was always there. She was always really nice. She’s an inspiration for me. She played college volleyball, so she helped me out when I was trying to figure out what college I wanted to go to.

Favorite athlete: David Ortiz

Favorite team: All Virginia Tech athletics

Favorite movie: “Crazy Rich Asians”

Favorite song: “Vote” by Miguel

Favorite food: Steak and potatoes

Plans after high school: I’m going to play softball at Virginia Tech. I think I’m going to take business management there. I’m still deciding specifically what I want to do — if I want to sell mortgages, if I want to be an accountant, something like that. I have another year to figure that out. But I definitely want to get a business degree.

— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki