Emma Cooke, Softball

For sophomore outfielder Emma Cooke, softball has always been more than just a sport. It is a family tradition, a source of connection, and a passion that has shaped who she is today.

Hailing from Kalispell, Montana, Cooke grew up surrounded by the game. “Softball has always been in my family,” she said. “My mom played, my grandma played, and now my younger sisters play too.”

As the oldest sibling, Cooke quickly embraced both the sport and the role that came with it. She picked up a glove around the age of 10 and immediately fell in love, not just with the game itself, but with the relationships it brought into her life.

“I loved all the friends I made through softball,” Cooke said. “I just kept getting better and wanted to see how far I could go with it.”

That mindset carried her to Spokane, where she now balances life as a student-athlete while pursuing a degree in Accounting. Her daily routine reflects the discipline it takes to compete at the collegiate level. Early morning lifts with strength coach Ryan “Rhino” Weidman, classes, study time with teammates, practice, and recovery fill her days.

It is a demanding schedule, but one Cooke embraces. “Being a student-athlete has given me so many tools I can use in all areas of my life,” she said. “It’s helped me grow, become more disciplined, and learn how to work with people.”

This season, Cooke has found a new level of pride not just in her individual growth, but in the transformation of her team. After a challenging previous year, the Sasquatch have taken a significant step forward, something she points to as one of her proudest moments.

“The shift from last year to this year has been huge,” she said. “Going to the Pasco crossover and performing the way we did was really exciting. We didn’t have many moments like that last year.”

A big part of that change, Cooke says, comes down to culture. This year’s team thrives on trust, accountability, and genuine support for one another.

“It doesn’t matter if I produce or not. I know my team still has my back,” she said. “And if I don’t get it done, the girl behind me will. That takes a lot of pressure off and lets you just play.”

That confidence has also helped Cooke grow mentally, an area she identified as a major focus this season. “Last year, I let my frustrations get the best of me sometimes,” she said. “This year, I’ve been working on just ‘flushing it’ and staying level-headed.”

Her motivation extends beyond the field. Cooke credits her younger sisters, ages 10 and 8, as her biggest inspiration.

“I want to be someone they can look up to,” she said. “Everything I do, I know they’re watching, and I want to set the best example I can.”

Looking ahead, Cooke’s goals are clear. She hopes to continue playing at the next level while helping lead the Sasquatch toward an NWAC Championship. But for her, success is about more than wins and stats.

“Softball is a game of failure,” she said. “You just have to keep pushing and lean on the people around you. That’s the best part of it.”

With a strong support system, a driven mindset, and a team culture built on trust, Emma Cooke is embracing every moment of the journey and helping set the tone for what Sasquatch softball can become.