Madalynn Knapp has some big shoes to fill for the West Burlington-Notre Dame softball team this season.

Knapp, a sophomore who can play multiple positions in the field, made the shift from left field to third base this season when Anna Engberg was moved to center field.

Third base is a spot Abbey Bence held down for three years, earning all-conference honors.

Knapp hasn’t missed a beat.

Knapp has found a home in the Falcons’ batting order which allows the team to take advantage of her power.

Through 12 games, Knapp is hitting a robust .606 with 20 hits in 33 at bats. She has six doubles, one triple and five home runs, has scored 12 runs and driven in 26 runs. She has a .618 on-base percentage and a 1.303 slugging percentage.

At the hot corner, Knapp has made 10 putouts and seven assists for the Falcons, who were 8-4 heading into Wednesday night’s non-conference game at Mid-Prairie.

The Hawk Eye recently caught up with Knapp, the High School Athlete of the Week, to learn a little more about her.

What is your favorite sport besides softball?

Volleyball

What is it that you like about softball?

Honestly, all the hard work I have put into it to make me what I can call a good player.

What is your best memory in softball?

My first diving catch and all the diving catches to follow.

How do you and your teammates make practice fun?

My teammates and I have a strong bond and we can make each other laugh when needed.

Do you have any pregame or game-day routines and what are they?

Yes, hitting off the tee with my swing rail, listening to music and drinking some type of energy drink.

Who is the funniest person on the team and why?

It is a tough question, but I would have to go with Lauren Summers. She can always make everyone laugh, whether she means to or not.

Who is your biggest role model and why?

It’s a toss up between my mom and any professional softball player.

My mom always reminds me of what it means to be a kind person and shows me how to continue pushing through any difficult obstacles.

I also just strive to be like the professional softball athletes someday.

What is your favorite subject in school and why?

Math because it is what I am best in. Or English because I enjoy writing essays.

What is your favorite meal?

My favorite food is cereal, but my favorite meal that my mom makes is chicken alfredo with pasta.

What is your favorite TV show?

Vampire Diaries, Stranger Things, Outer Banks

If you won the lottery, what would your first purchase be and why?

I would put it toward my college tuition and save it for bigger purchases in the future. The rest would be to redecorate my room and for more clothes.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time and why?

Being involved in four sports (and the community), and having a job, I don’t have much free time.

When I do get to relax, I like to take baths, hang out with my friends, play with my cousins, read a book, or listen to music.

What is your favorite motivational slogan or quote?

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estee’ Lauder

What are your future plans for college and career?

My goal is to get a scholarship to play softball or volleyball along with academic scholarships.

I would love to go somewhere farther like the beautiful state of California or Hawaii or just somewhere warm with a beach.

But out-of-state tuition is way too expensive, so probably somewhere close in Iowa or Illinois.

What is something about yourself that would surprise people?

I feel that I am pretty open about myself, but a couple of facts that I don’t talk about is that I am a spoiled only child. I have two dogs.

I have a toddler cousin that I feel is like my little brother. I enjoy working out a lot.

I may have a spending problem because I have a clothes and makeup/skincare addiction.

School comes easy to me. I have a high GPA and was recently selected to represent my school in the M Power U Leadership course offered by SCC.