I developed a love for this sport and just the confidence it helped me develop. – Utah senior shortstop Anissa Urtez
SALT LAKE CITY — Anissa Urtez’s story could have ended the way a lot of stories end for talented high school stars who find themselves struggling with the unique challenges of college athletics.
“Anissa had never had to work very hard for her spot on any team she’d ever been on,” said Utah softball coach Amy Hogue. “She came in as a freshman and started, and it seemed like, ‘Yeah, college is easy.’ But then she hit the sophomore slump. People figured out how to get her out, and she hadn’t ever learned how to work hard to overcome (challenges). But she wasn’t really willing to be average. That’s when I found out she was a lot more competitive than I thought.”
The California native could have allowed herself to believe that she didn’t have the skills to play in the Pac-12.
She could have allowed herself to believe she just didn’t fit in with the direction Utah softball was moving.
Essentially, she could have given up. But she didn’t.
Because she didn’t, she improved in ways she hadn’t envisioned while helping Utah make improvements each season that have earned it national respect and resulted in the historic opportunity to host an NCAA regional last weekend.
Urtez is the oldest of three children, and grew up in Long Beach. Both of her parents played sports, and they encouraged her to try as many as she liked.
“I stuck with softball, and eventually I became really good at it,” said the senior shortstop, who has earned all-conference honors every season of her collegiate career. “I think I stuck with it because I picked it up really easy. I found that I liked to play catch, and I liked to hit the ball. I wasn’t good at soccer because I didn’t like to run, and I didn’t like basketball because I couldn’t make a basket. I developed a love for this sport and just the confidence it helped me develop.”
Urtez was playing in a tournament when one of Utah’s assistants (Cody Thomson) saw her playing and called Hogue.
Urtez admitted she knew very little about Utah — the state or the school.
“I researched the U., the state, and I kind of just always felt like this was where I was supposed to be,” Urtez said. “I (committed) before I even came to the school. Then when I came on my unofficial visit it was like, ‘Wow, I loved it. I really made the right decision.’”
She said it was the city, the school and the people who impressed her. But it was the familial atmosphere of the program that gave her the most comfort.
“This is a beautiful place, the people are very nice, and it felt safe,” Urtez said. “I was just scared because I was going to be so far from home. I’d never been away from home, and I wanted to be comfortable.”
From the moment she stepped on the University of Utah’s campus, she felt at home.
Urtez said that while softball came easier to her than other sports, she may not have understood her own potential if she hadn’t chosen to play for the Utes.
“The program has grown so much,” she said. “I think I underestimated my talents. I’ve become a stronger player over the years. I give all the credit to my coaches and teammates. It’s just been an incredible experience.”
Her greatest growth came after her sophomore season, which was, for her, the most challenging season.
“My sophomore year was kind of a down year for me,” she said. “I had to learn to push myself harder. I didn’t want to give up. I wanted to push myself as far as I could.”
Hogue said that season ended with a “hard conversation” between the two of them. “I said, ‘You have work to do,’” Hogue recalled. “ ‘If you think batting ninth was tough, wait until you lose your position. You need to make sure you work.’ Her back was kind of to the wall, but she just ran with it.”
Urtez sought help from her uncle, who is an assistant coach with the Mexican National Team and coaches at Cal State Fullerton. Hogue called him “an infield guru” and said Urtez came back with better skills, but also a much better work ethic and competitive drive.
Urtez said it was the mental shift she needed to push herself to progress. It also led to her trying out for and making Mexico’s national team. Her father, Geronimo Urtez, is from Mexico, and she’s currently working on dual citizenship.
“I played with them last summer, and we played against (Utah second baseman) Hannah (Flippen) in Oklahoma City,” Urtez said of her fellow senior middle infielder. “It’s not necessarily about the competition but about representing who I am. It’s also a cool experience to play with girls who are from a different environment than me.”
Urtez said playing for the Mexican National Team has connected her to her father, his family and her heritage in a very unique way.
“Even though I am born in America, I love my dad, I love my dad’s family, and this shows a sense of who I am,” she said. “For me, it shows that wherever you’re from, it’s something to be comfortable with and something to be proud of.”
It’s also just a blast to play on an international stage with young women who share her heritage and her love of softball.
“It’s definitely fun,” she said.
When asked to recall her first impressions of Urtez, Hogue said the teen “was flashy.”
“She stood out as someone who did big things,” Hogue said. “She, maybe almost more than anyone I’ve recruited in the past, stood out as a player who could make that flashy play. … Anissa did stuff that turned your head.”
She is so quiet, however, Hogue said it took a couple of years before she could get her to “speak up.” Luckily, she played next to Flippen, who has no trouble being vocal.
“But this year in particular, especially with a new kid next to her on third, I see her coming into her own voice,” Hogue said.
Urtez has been a critical component to the Utes’ success the last four years, but not because she imposes herself on the program or its players.
“She’s competitive inside herself,” Hogue said. “You don’t see it that much. She’ll go to the coaches and say she’s not satisfied with her hitting, but on paper she went 3 for 4.” Maybe most impressive is the way Urtez has learned to work with Flippen, who was named Pac-12 Player of the Year each of the last two seasons.
“Hannah can’t do the things she does by herself,” Hogue said. “Hannah needs Anissa to do a lot of what she does. They’re a team. This year especially, Anissa was a fantastic team player.”
She said her unfettered joy for her teammates, especially Flippen, and their individual success is something that “90 percent of the players I’ve coached would struggle with,” Hogue said. “She’s also batted behind Hannah her whole career for a reason. She’s the one who can handle the pressure of that. She’s a really strong kid, and she’s definitely going to be missed next year.”
Urtez isn’t thinking about next year — or even rejoining her national team teammates just yet — because the Utes still have unfinished business this season. They take on Washington this weekend in a best-of-three series Super Regional in Seattle.
“We’re feeling good after hosting,” she said of last weekend’s regional wins. “That’s the most fans we’ve ever had, and it’s something special for the seniors to see, just building this program and everything. The energy at the stadium helped us, and we feel really confident going into this weekend. I don’t think it matters who we’re playing. We’re going to stick to our plan and just focus on our team.”