Ridgewood’s Zinkon signs with Bluffton
Ridgewood High School senior Sydney Zinkon signed her letter of intent on Feb. 8 to continue her softball career at Bluffton University. Pictured from left are her grandparents Paul and Linda Zinkon, Sydney and her mom Karen Zinkon. Josie Sellers | Beacon
WEST LAFAYETTE – Ridgewood High School’s Sydney Zinkon has always loved the game of softball.
“When I was younger I watched my cousin play for Kirby Shivers (Ridgewood’s head softball coach) and I knew I wanted to do what she did, which was pitch,” Zinkon said.
She followed through on that goal of becoming a high school pitcher and is now set to take her game to the next level. On Feb. 8, Zinkon signed her letter of intent to play softball for Bluffton University.
“I really liked the coaches there and when I stayed overnight on campus I felt at home,” she said.
Zinkon feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to pitch in college.
“I’m small for a college pitcher,” she said. “They are usually about 6’0” and I’m 5’2,” but I think the way I hit for my size makes a difference.”
A lot of practice has made an impact on her success and so has her ability to play other positions.
“Pitching is my favorite spot, but I can play anywhere on the field if I’m not doing that,” Zinkon said.
Shivers said Bluffton is getting a very dedicated athlete.
“It’s great to see her have the opportunity to go on,” he said. “She worked hard to get here. She is our number one pitcher and is very athletic. It will be hard to replace someone who has started four years for us.”
Zinkon made sure to thank Shivers, her travel ball coaches, her volleyball coach Brenda McCoy and her teammates for helping her reach this point in her career. She has collected a lot of great memories with all of them over the years.
“My favorites are last year when we won the sectional final 7-0 against Coshocton and I threw a one hitter,” Zinkon said. “I also remember hitting my first homerun against Newcomerstown my freshman year.”
She plans to major in exercise science at Bluffton.
“I’m excited to see what next year brings for her at college academically and with softball,” said Sydney’s mom Karen Zinkon. “I like that Bluffton has a smaller campus and that she seemed to click with the coaches. She told me when she had her overnight stay that she knew she was coming here.”
Karen coached Sydney when she was younger and is looking forward to seeing her continue on with softball.
“I love watching her play and pitch,” Karen said.
Category: High School, Sports
