Get to Know You: Stephanie Merwin and Jessie Wilson
December 11, 2017 | Softball
Merwin and Wilson are in their sophomore season for OSU
For the weeks leading up to the regular season, fans will get a chance to learn about every member of the 2017-18 Oregon State softball team.
This week, we meet up with Stephanie Merwin and Jessie Wilson in their sophomore season for Oregon State. Merwin is a native of Richland, Wash., and is an infielder. Wilson is a native of Plain City, Utah, and is an infielder.
Why did you choose Oregon State?
Stephanie Merwin: I wanted to go to a school that offered a highly-respected engineering program whilst playing at the highest level of softball that I could achieve.
Jessie Wilson: Oregon State has always been my dream school. I came to a camp here when I was little and fell in love with the campus and Coach Berg is an Olympic Gold Medalist, therefore, being coached by her is such a great opportunity.
What do you enjoy about your major?
SM (mechanical engineering): I love the challenges that mechanical engineering presents. I wanted to be a part of something that presents an opportunity to make a positive impact in the world through technological advancements and achievements.
JW (interior design): It is incredibly fun! We get to work on AutoCAD and that is, by far, my favorite part. Getting to design house plans and where everything is going to fit in each room is something I really enjoy. It's essentially like sitting in a creative are class all day.
What do you like most about playing softball?
SM: I love the complexity of the game. It's exhilarating to compete and perform in a sport that presents a lot of challenges and strategy.
JW: Softball has helped me make almost every single friend I have had in my life, as well as let me travel all over the United State to play in some very cool locations. It has taught me so much about life and has shaped me into the person I am today. It's more than a game to me.
What is your favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg?
SM: My favorite thing about playing for Coach Beg is that I am confident that she will push every one of us to be the best player we can be.
JW: She's so intense and her love for the game is so contagious that it's like being in a championship game for every practice.
What does your uniform number mean to you?
SM (1): My uniform number means that I am just one part of an incredible team that I would do anything for.
JW (23): I have been a lot of different numbers in my athletic career but it seems fitting that my very first number was 23 and now I will play my final softball seasons in that same number. My dad and brother were both number 23 in their sports as well.
What are the team goals for this season?
SM: Our team goals start small from giving 110% every day, both on the field and in the classroom, to earning a spot in the College World Series.
JW: Make a statement and show the Pac-12 and everyone else that we are a force to be reckoned with. We are here to change the culture this year and become a leader in the Pac-12.
What is your personal goal for the season?
SM: My personal goal is to work harder than I ever have before to increase self-confidence and make it challenging for Coach Berg to decide which nine to put on the field.
JW: To find a way to contribute to the program. I'm new to the Pac-12 so I am just excited to be a part of the culture.
What athlete did you idolize growing up and why?
SM: I grew up idolizing my cousin Travis Buck. He is the hardest working most honest athlete I know and I loved growing up to see him push himself and accomplish many incredible things. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and be an incredible athlete like him.
JW: Crystl Bustos, because she holds the home run record for the Olympics and I was always the big hitter on my teams growing up, so I would always say: 'I'm going to hit as many home runs as Crystl Bustos.'
What age did you know you wanted to play softball in college and what made you realize that?
SM: I knew I wanted to play softball in college when I was a freshman in high school. I played eight different sports growing up and at that point I knew that I loved softball more than any other sport I had ever played. I wanted to take the sport as far as I possibly could.
JW: Ever since I was little, but it became more apparent when the teams I played on began to travel to cool places and win big tournaments.
What song/band is most likely to be playing on your phone?
SM: Imagine Dragons.
JW: Khalid.
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
SM: I like to listen to music to get my mind as relaxed as possible.
JW: I always use glitter spray on game days.
What current show could you see yourself being a part of?
SM: The Amazing Race.
JW: Survivor.
What is the best thing about living in Corvallis?
SM: I love how Corvallis is small and inviting. Everything is close and easy to access. The town is beautiful and I love the tree (I grew up in a very dry part of Washington).
JW: The rain and the trees. It is so beautiful here.
What is your biggest phobia?
SM: Not meeting expectations.
JW: Talking on the phone.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
SM: I love doing anything outdoors, from backpacking to kayaking and playing other sports. I also love to read and draw (Netflix and naps are great too).
JW: Shopping, baking, playing with my kitten and doing makeup.
What is your favorite place on campus to hang out?
SM: Dutch Bros – I enjoy getting a drink there and doing a bunch of homework.
JW: Softball locker room.
Nickname:
SM: Steph
JW: Jedalyn, Jessie James
Favorite movie:
SM: Forrest Gump
JW: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Go-to food spot in Corvallis:
SM: Panera Bread
JW: Elmer's, I'm obsessed with their German Pancakes
Favorite vacation destination:
SM: Anywhere in the mountains
JW: The Caribbean
Words to live by:
SM: Suck less. – Coach Bob
JW: Live like you have nothing to lose.
This week, we meet up with Stephanie Merwin and Jessie Wilson in their sophomore season for Oregon State. Merwin is a native of Richland, Wash., and is an infielder. Wilson is a native of Plain City, Utah, and is an infielder.
Why did you choose Oregon State?
Stephanie Merwin: I wanted to go to a school that offered a highly-respected engineering program whilst playing at the highest level of softball that I could achieve.
Jessie Wilson: Oregon State has always been my dream school. I came to a camp here when I was little and fell in love with the campus and Coach Berg is an Olympic Gold Medalist, therefore, being coached by her is such a great opportunity.
What do you enjoy about your major?
SM (mechanical engineering): I love the challenges that mechanical engineering presents. I wanted to be a part of something that presents an opportunity to make a positive impact in the world through technological advancements and achievements.
JW (interior design): It is incredibly fun! We get to work on AutoCAD and that is, by far, my favorite part. Getting to design house plans and where everything is going to fit in each room is something I really enjoy. It's essentially like sitting in a creative are class all day.
What do you like most about playing softball?
SM: I love the complexity of the game. It's exhilarating to compete and perform in a sport that presents a lot of challenges and strategy.
JW: Softball has helped me make almost every single friend I have had in my life, as well as let me travel all over the United State to play in some very cool locations. It has taught me so much about life and has shaped me into the person I am today. It's more than a game to me.
What is your favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg?
SM: My favorite thing about playing for Coach Beg is that I am confident that she will push every one of us to be the best player we can be.
JW: She's so intense and her love for the game is so contagious that it's like being in a championship game for every practice.
What does your uniform number mean to you?
SM (1): My uniform number means that I am just one part of an incredible team that I would do anything for.
JW (23): I have been a lot of different numbers in my athletic career but it seems fitting that my very first number was 23 and now I will play my final softball seasons in that same number. My dad and brother were both number 23 in their sports as well.
What are the team goals for this season?
SM: Our team goals start small from giving 110% every day, both on the field and in the classroom, to earning a spot in the College World Series.
JW: Make a statement and show the Pac-12 and everyone else that we are a force to be reckoned with. We are here to change the culture this year and become a leader in the Pac-12.
What is your personal goal for the season?
SM: My personal goal is to work harder than I ever have before to increase self-confidence and make it challenging for Coach Berg to decide which nine to put on the field.
JW: To find a way to contribute to the program. I'm new to the Pac-12 so I am just excited to be a part of the culture.
What athlete did you idolize growing up and why?
SM: I grew up idolizing my cousin Travis Buck. He is the hardest working most honest athlete I know and I loved growing up to see him push himself and accomplish many incredible things. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and be an incredible athlete like him.
JW: Crystl Bustos, because she holds the home run record for the Olympics and I was always the big hitter on my teams growing up, so I would always say: 'I'm going to hit as many home runs as Crystl Bustos.'
What age did you know you wanted to play softball in college and what made you realize that?
SM: I knew I wanted to play softball in college when I was a freshman in high school. I played eight different sports growing up and at that point I knew that I loved softball more than any other sport I had ever played. I wanted to take the sport as far as I possibly could.
JW: Ever since I was little, but it became more apparent when the teams I played on began to travel to cool places and win big tournaments.
What song/band is most likely to be playing on your phone?
SM: Imagine Dragons.
JW: Khalid.
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
SM: I like to listen to music to get my mind as relaxed as possible.
JW: I always use glitter spray on game days.
What current show could you see yourself being a part of?
SM: The Amazing Race.
JW: Survivor.
What is the best thing about living in Corvallis?
SM: I love how Corvallis is small and inviting. Everything is close and easy to access. The town is beautiful and I love the tree (I grew up in a very dry part of Washington).
JW: The rain and the trees. It is so beautiful here.
What is your biggest phobia?
SM: Not meeting expectations.
JW: Talking on the phone.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
SM: I love doing anything outdoors, from backpacking to kayaking and playing other sports. I also love to read and draw (Netflix and naps are great too).
JW: Shopping, baking, playing with my kitten and doing makeup.
What is your favorite place on campus to hang out?
SM: Dutch Bros – I enjoy getting a drink there and doing a bunch of homework.
JW: Softball locker room.
Nickname:
SM: Steph
JW: Jedalyn, Jessie James
Favorite movie:
SM: Forrest Gump
JW: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Go-to food spot in Corvallis:
SM: Panera Bread
JW: Elmer's, I'm obsessed with their German Pancakes
Favorite vacation destination:
SM: Anywhere in the mountains
JW: The Caribbean
Words to live by:
SM: Suck less. – Coach Bob
JW: Live like you have nothing to lose.
Players Mentioned
INF
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