ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the spring semester, cspbears.com will feature its spring senior student-athletes who had their careers cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), providing a glimpse into their past, present and future to our followers who were unable to see them compete in 2020.
Due to the ongoing changing legislation with college athletics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring student-athletes are expected to retain a year of eligibility. Some of the CSP seniors have expressed interest in returning for the 2020-21 academic year with the goal of competing for their full senior year. Since it's early in the process, cspbears.com will not differentiate between seniors who will and won't return and instead will profile each senior consistently.
Up next in the senior spotlight series is
Kris McIntyre who has been one of the top ten hitters in the history of the Golden Bear softball team. McIntyre, an exercise science major from Sunnyvale, California has appeared in 114 games and has made 73 starts in a Golden Bear uniform while hitting for a career .354 batting average with 87 hits in 246 career at bats.
With a career stolen bae percentage of .911 and an on base percentage of .439, McIntyre was a fantastic speedster and an on base machine at the top of the Golden Bear lineup. After transferring to Concordia from Menlo College after her freshman season, McIntyre appeared in 45 games and made 10 starts her sophomore season. She hit .325 with two doubles, one triple, one homerun and five RBIs. She also scored 21 runs and stole six out of seven seven bases and also carried a .438 on base percentage. She took a big leap forward in her junior year as she made 45 starts and appeared in 51 games total. She hit .353 with 53 hits, both of which ranked third on the team, she reached base for 28 straight games, which was the longest streak of any CSP player since at least 2001, she stole 26 bases on the year, which was tied for fifth in the NSIC, she collected 13 games with multiple hits, she recorded a .430 on-base percentage, tallying 19 walks on the season and she scored 42 runs while also driving in 16 runs
This season McIntyre led the team with a .375 batting average in 18 games. She collected 21 hits in 56 at bats while also hitting two doubles, one home run and drove in nine for a .464 slugging percentage. She was also tied for the team lead with nine walks, was second on the team with 13 runs scored and was also second on the team with nine stolen bases while leading the team with a .463 on base percentage. She had six multi-hit games this season and ended the season with a three-game hitting streak. She went 3-5 with a stolen base, two RBIs and scored two runs against Lewis (2/08). She went 3-4 with a run scored and drove in two runs against Northwest Missouri State (2/09). Went 3-4 with two runs scored and stole three bases versus Saint Rose (3/05). She finished the season going 2-2 with two runs scored and a home run against Mercyhurst (3/06).
McIntyre ranks first all time in program history with a .439 career on base percentage. She ranks fifth all time in program history with a .911 career stolen base percentage. Ranks seventh all time in program history with a .354 career batting average and she ranks eighth all time in program history with 41 career stolen bases.
Head coach Bob Bartel on Kris McIntyre
"Kris was a transfer who found her way to CSP and we're very fortunate she did. She worked hard on and off the field, she is a leader on campus helping out in numerous events and charities. Watching Kris work so hard to become a starter and shine in that role was extremely satisfying. Kris is an extraordinary young lady that puts others in front of herself and we are extremely grateful to have had her on our team and in our program."
KRIS MCINTYRE – IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
KM: I started playing softball when I was ten years old, back in 2009. My first ever team was with Mountain View/Los Altos Girls Fastpitch Softball League on the recreational 10u team named Orange Monkeys.
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
KM: I fully believe that God chose Concordia for me. I transferred to Concordia at the start of my sophomore year. After playing softball and attending school at the other college, I was not pleased with my overall experience. I was looking at a cluster of other schools, however, Concordia stood out to me. As soon as I walked on campus the first time, the coaches and academic advisors made it apparent that they believed in me. Having someone believe in me, and being in a loving, supported environment where people were determined to help me achieve my goals was what I'd been missing. Concordia provided that for me, so I chose Concordia and I am so glad that I did.
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
KM: I have so many great memories as a Golden Bear! I have cherished playing kickball and football at practice, performing the injury prevention run with our mouths taped, every road trip that I went on as a Golden Bear was special, and bonding with professors during office hours was great too. However, my favorite memory will forever be attending and taking part in the SAAC Talent Show. I loved watching all of the athletes come together and laugh together. It reminded me that through all the gruesome training and tough competition, we were all truly there for one another.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
KM: I will miss my CSP softball family the most. They are my built-in friends and sisters that I went through long hours of training and competition with. There is nothing that bonds people together like the long bus rides to Kansas, Missouri, and North Dakota. Having their constant support and being around their driven personalities is something that I will forever cherish and constantly miss.
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
KM: I do not officially graduate until next spring. In spring of 2021, I will have received both my undergraduate and graduate degree in exercise science. So, until then I plan on working part-time and continuing to dedicate myself to my studies.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
KM: In ten years from now, I hope to have a family with a steady job living a Christ-centered life.
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
KM: Every staff and faculty member left an imprint on my experience. So, I am not able to choose just one. I will forever be grateful for Lana Huberty, who always took the time to help me and provide me with advice whether it was about my life after college or life in the classroom. Brenda Davies is another faculty member that I owe my academic success to. She not only helped and challenged me as a student while I was in her class but continued to help me with other classes as well. Steven Ross is another faculty member that took the time to listen to and help me prioritize my academic schedule at a time in my life when I was overwhelmed and stressed. Lastly, there is my softball coaching staff: Bob, Tommy, Craig, Rick, Yurek, Katie, JJ, and Sam. Throughout my years at Concordia, the coaches constantly uplifted me and challenged me to be not only a great player on the field, but a great person off the field.
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
KM: Through my years as a Concordia student athlete, I have learned that there is no challenge or obstacle that is not worth conquering. In other words, I have learned that anything is possible with a great support system, determination and hard work.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
KM: As an incoming freshman athlete, there is so much advice that gets thrown your way. Advice I heard a lot during this time was, "enjoy it, it goes so fast" and, "it is the best time of your life." However, one thing that I wish someone had told me is that even though it is the best time of your life, that does not mean that bad times do not come your way. You may not start right away, or things may not meet your expectations of what college is supposed to be like. But don't give up. Great memories and true friendships are formed through the hard times.
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
KM: Honestly, I admire them all. I admire football players for their dedication by how they are constantly in the weight room at 5am. I admire lacrosse for performing their conditioning diligently over the summer so that they are faster and better for their season in the spring. I admire soccer for their constant spirit and energy that they provide at every game and practice. I admire volleyball for their success and resilience after a loss. I also admire basketball and golf for their team unity and closeness. Lastly, I admire track and cross country for how they are so involved with campus activities while being constant in-season athletes. Every CSP athlete has inspired me in some way!
CSP: Do you have a final personalized message you'd like to share with cspbears.com readers?
KM: Thank you for being supportive during the good times and bad! I loved my time as a student-athlete at Concordia and it is something that I will never forget!
