DePaul University Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Kristina (Luna) Welch
10/19/2024 1:55:00 PM | SOFTBALL
Welch played at DePaul from 1994-1997
CHICAGO- Kristina Welch has never known softball without friends and family.
Despite being recruited by many schools, Welch chose DePaul for three reasons; the coaching staff, the Vincentian values, and her friend, Christy Roode-Johnson, who was already a Blue Demon herself.
Welch heavily contributed to many firsts for DePaul softball, including their first trip to the NCAA tournament and their first appearance in the national polls. Yet, what excited her most was the friendships she developed, and the opportunity to play with her sister.
"I delayed my start at DePaul so Julie [Luna] and I could eventually play together. It was truly amazing, and my season with her on the team ultimately became the best of my career. I know our parents were happy about that too."
The dynamic sister duo helped the Blue Demons roar to a 42-15 record in 1997, including a perfect 12-0 in conference play.
"There was a lot of good on-field memories because we were winners, but there were equally as many memories made off the field. Particularly, I had a lot of great teammates who have become lifelong friends. Missy Nowak was an All-American, and her and I still speak regularly to this day. DePaul softball has led to lifelong friendships, and they have even more meaning years later," Welch reflects.
The most important lesson she learned through the ongoing success of her tight-knit team was leadership.
"It is human nature to want to lead the people that you gravitate towards, that you're more similar to, but now I realize that leadership means leading everyone. To tap into people's greatness, you meet them where they are at and bring them along."
Welch now gets to share her wisdom with her 12-year-old daughter, Ashlyn, who has also discovered a deep passion for softball. Blue Demon standout Yvette Healy and other former teammates welcome Ashlyn into their own dugouts, ensuring she is a part of the DePaul softball family no matter where she goes. When she isn't working, Welch gets to assist with coaching Ashlyn's travel softball team.
To the current DePaul squad, Welch imparts the same advice she has given her daughter.
"Don't have any regrets. Set forth your goals, set them big, and don't hold back doing what you need to do to get there. If you have any regrets, it means you didn't put in everything you could to reach them."
Welch now resides in La Habra, California with her husband, Doug, and daughter, Ashlyn.
Despite being recruited by many schools, Welch chose DePaul for three reasons; the coaching staff, the Vincentian values, and her friend, Christy Roode-Johnson, who was already a Blue Demon herself.
Welch heavily contributed to many firsts for DePaul softball, including their first trip to the NCAA tournament and their first appearance in the national polls. Yet, what excited her most was the friendships she developed, and the opportunity to play with her sister.
"I delayed my start at DePaul so Julie [Luna] and I could eventually play together. It was truly amazing, and my season with her on the team ultimately became the best of my career. I know our parents were happy about that too."
The dynamic sister duo helped the Blue Demons roar to a 42-15 record in 1997, including a perfect 12-0 in conference play.
"There was a lot of good on-field memories because we were winners, but there were equally as many memories made off the field. Particularly, I had a lot of great teammates who have become lifelong friends. Missy Nowak was an All-American, and her and I still speak regularly to this day. DePaul softball has led to lifelong friendships, and they have even more meaning years later," Welch reflects.
The most important lesson she learned through the ongoing success of her tight-knit team was leadership.
"It is human nature to want to lead the people that you gravitate towards, that you're more similar to, but now I realize that leadership means leading everyone. To tap into people's greatness, you meet them where they are at and bring them along."
Welch now gets to share her wisdom with her 12-year-old daughter, Ashlyn, who has also discovered a deep passion for softball. Blue Demon standout Yvette Healy and other former teammates welcome Ashlyn into their own dugouts, ensuring she is a part of the DePaul softball family no matter where she goes. When she isn't working, Welch gets to assist with coaching Ashlyn's travel softball team.
To the current DePaul squad, Welch imparts the same advice she has given her daughter.
"Don't have any regrets. Set forth your goals, set them big, and don't hold back doing what you need to do to get there. If you have any regrets, it means you didn't put in everything you could to reach them."
Welch now resides in La Habra, California with her husband, Doug, and daughter, Ashlyn.
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