Dec. 4, 2009

BERKELEY - Freshman Jolene Henderson is a 5-8 right-handed pitcher out of Elk Grove, Calif. With countless accolades on her athletic resume, Henderson led her Sheldon High School team to section championships in 2007 and 2008 and to a second-place section finish in 2009. Thrice named first-team all-league and twice named MVP of her league, Henderson was also an ESPN/Under Armor All-American in 2008 and 2009 and started with on the varsity squad since her sophomore year. Off the field, Henderson was involved with her school's Biotech Academy, was a 2009 senior scholar athlete and lauded with the 2009 Marine Corps Poise Leadership athletic award and Sheldon HS Sportsmanship award. Following graduation from Cal, Henderson, who attended Sheldon HS with fellow freshman Lindsey Ziegenhirt, hopes to become involved in the business world, play professionally or to become a college coach. Parents are Joe and Mickey Henderson, both of whom attended Idaho State and her father, Joe, played football there. CalBears.com caught up with Henderson to learn about her first months in college, life off the diamond and more.

CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
Jolene Henderson: The hardest thing was leaving my little sister, and the most surprising thing was that there is a lot of walking.

CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
JH: My favorite part about college would be that my life revolves around softball and working out.

CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about softball? How did you get started in softball?
JH: My favorite part about softball is that it relaxes me and makes me push myself. I got started in softball because my parents thought that it would be a good idea. It turned out to be a good choice on their part because I love the sport.

CalBears.com: Do you have any outside hobbies?
JH: My other hobbies include swimming, eating, running, working out, helping kids and sleeping.

CalBears.com: What would you like people to remember about you after you leave Cal?
JH: That I worked hard and played my all 100 percent of the time. Also, that we made it to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series every year.

CalBears.com: What were your initial impressions of Berkeley?
JH: That it's a great place with tons of different kinds of people and a great place for success and ability to change.

CalBears.com: Now that you're in your seventh week of college, what advice do you wish someone had told you about college or would you give to incoming student-athletes?
JH: To get good walking shoes, study when you're supposed to, stay away from trouble and don't eat too much ice cream.