Division III Week Student Spotlight – Gabby Alcantar

This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the fourth-year event.                                             

 Division III Week, which runs from  Monday  through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes. 

As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, six student-athletes will be featured this week. Huntingdon senior Gabby Alcantar is today's featured student-athlete.              

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant

Name: Gabby Alcantar

Year: Senior

Hometown: Brawley, Calif.

Major: Psychology

Career Goals: Attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles to pursue a major in Merchandise Product Development

Sport: Softball

Athletic Accomplishments: Alcantar has appeared in 110 games during her four seasons at Huntingdon. She has started in all 27 games this season and leads the team in runs scored, is third in hits and stolen bases and tied for fourth in RBIs.  A three-time Academic All-Conference selection, her teams have played in three straight conference championship games and advanced to the NCAA Regional during her freshman season.

Academic Achievements and Campus Activities: Alcantar is currently a member of the Leadership Initiative Committee and the Psychology Club. She has been a member of the FCA and has volunteered at MANE and Toys for Tots. 

What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "The coaches are the ones that brought me here. When I came on my visit, the softball team was great and it was a lot like a family. I was ready for a culture change, being from California, so the way the South has treated me has been a good experience."

What has made your Huntingdon experience unique? "I've really enjoyed the small-school environment and the personal relationships you develop with the professors and faculty. It's also nice to see the way student-athletes support different sports. Seeing members of multiple teams out at different events has been special."

How has Huntingdon challenged you academically and athletically? "Huntingdon has helped me become better at time-management. Being an athlete, there are many things outside of class that get your attention, so developing better time-management skills has helped me balance my course-work and other athletic responsibilities." 

What has been your biggest highlight as a Huntingdon student-athlete? "Winning the conference championship my freshman year. It was a year to remember and it really felt like a family that year. Going to the conference finals every year I've been at Huntingdon has also been very special to me." 

As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "I've had to work harder than I thought I would at first. But it doesn't matter at what level you're competing, if you want to be successful, you have to put in the work. We've played in two conferences since I've been here and there have been competitive teams in both conferences."