Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Annie Ieuter, New Trier softball

Annie Ieuter is a senior pitcher and infielder for the Trevians.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Definitely. We have to have music pumping — can’t get hype without music. For away games, we always play music on the bus. For home or away or practices, to throw I always stand on the throwing line, with my partner, on the trowing line closest to the field. And don’t touch the (foul) line before a game; that’s a common one.

2. What are your plans after high school?

I’m going to go to Miami (University) of Ohio, majoring in psychology. Before that, this summer, I will be working for Illinois Baseball Academy doing little league coaching and hanging out with friends and other basic senior shenanigans before I head off to college.

3. What is your favorite thing to do off the field?

Probably just hang out with my friends. I would say my teammates are probably my best friends. Just going and grabbing food with them after games. Just driving around is super fun.

4. What is your dream job?

I want to be a therapist, like lay down on my coach and tell me all your problems. Anything with people. I don’t want to be basic, stare-at-a-computer, 9-5 type. Anything where I can interact with people and make an impact in their lives.

5. Who is someone you look up to?

Probably my older cousins. Funny enough one of my cousins (Brigit Ieuter) was also a pitcher for New Trier Trier and played college softball. I look up to her a lot. We are similar people. I have another older cousin (Caroline Ieuter) who gives me the best advice about softball, and dating and high school.

6. If you could play another sport, what would it be?

I grew up doing dance and gymnastics when I was really young and transitioned into basketball and softball. I quit basketball before high school so maybe basketball, but I also loved my flips and stuff I learned from gymnastics. That’s fun. Scary, but still fun.

7. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Probably Greece. My family and I were supposed to go to Greece and that got canceled and then canceled again and then COVID hit.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

Really depends on my mood. If it’s a drink, probably an energy drink, like an Alani or a Red Bull. Or I love Snickers bars, so I’d get that.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

Probably that I can speak German. My friends and some of my teachers know that, but it’s such a random fact. I’ve been taking German since eighth grade, so I’m fairly proficient in it. That’s another fun party trick I guess.

10. How has this season gone and what are your goals the rest of the way?

The season has been going great. A lot of improvement has been going on. At the beginning, we were struggling with having energy and picking ourselves up and now energy is off the charts. It’s so good, but there’s always room for improvement. Right now what we need to work on is transferring what we practice to the games and also picking ourselves up. But we’ve come a lot way and I see us on an upward trajectory.

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