The Underdog with Multiple Offers

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Jessica Benavidez

MULTI-SPORT ATHLETE DEFIED THE ODDS

According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, a high school athlete has about a 2.5 percent chance of playing his or her sport at a Division 1 (D1) college. For senior Jasmine Benavidez, that chance was even lower. “I knew I wanted to play college softball at a D1 school but didn’t think I would be able to because of my size.”

Her mom Jessica adds, “She had a couple coaches tell her, ‘You’re good but you’re just too small. They’re not going to look at you.’ I think that drove her to push harder and to work harder and prove everyone wrong. Many people told me she’s too small but I just kept telling her, ‘Go show them. Yes, you’re little but you can make those plays like those big girls can.’ ”

Jasmine has been doing just that since she was 6 years old. Club teams began recruiting her just one year later and trophies and medals have been coming her way ever since. When she wasn’t on the softball field, she stayed active by running cross country and playing volleyball in the fall, then fo cusing on basketball and track in the winter.

University Bound

Jasmine’s efforts paid off when she got multiple D1 offers. Of the 390,000 high school softball players nationwide, she is in the top 1 percent to get a Division 1 full scholarship. Then, ironically, having achieved her goal, she fell in love with the beautiful campus and proximity of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Jessica says, “It’s so hard because — as parents, we sacrifice birthday parties and family events to make our kid’s dreams come true. Then when September 1 came around, I could only think ‘Please get that phone call, don’t let this all be for nothing.’ I was scared for her, but when the call came, it was all worth it. The late nights and after-school lessons or leaving a cross country meet to play softball in Houston. It was all worth it on that one night.”

Jasmine says, “I felt really accomplished. It’s really exciting.” Having faced a challenging sports journey, she encourages other aspiring athletes to diligently pursue their goals.

“IT’S NOT AN EASY PATH. YOU CAN’T JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS; YOU HAVE TO WORK TO GET WHAT YOU WANT.”