Auburn, ME – Going to college with your sibling can be hard enough without also playing on the same team together. However, the Herrick sisters have created a strong enough bond that nothing can break them apart.
Meet Addyson and Avery Herrick, a sophomore and freshman at CM and members of the women's softball team. They grew up in Dexter, Maine where they lived with their mom, step-dad, and chocolate lab puppy Yeti. Those three are constant supporters at every game and Yeti loves everyone who comes over to give her attention. Being close to home, the girls are able to go home as often as they want as long as their schedule allows. "We try to go home every weekend or even some week days if we miss them, basically every free time we get we go home to spend time with them," said Avery. For Addy, she is so thankful for her family growing up the way they did. It showed her that it is very rare and loves how supportive they are as it makes her enjoy the sport even more than she already does.
How did both sisters end up at CM? Easy, a very persistent softball coach and a change of major. Avery spoke with Coach Bruce consistently during high school that she fell in love with CM. For Addy, she realized she wanted to follow her original plan of studying nursing and therefore needed to change her major. She knew if it was possible she wanted to be wherever Avery would be.
Being together at college, it allows them to have their best friend with them. They help each other with schoolwork and spend every moment possible with one another. Addy added, "I think the fact that we grew up together helps us so much when it comes to this college journey together, it is nice that we know and love each other endlessly. She knows when I need space and when I need a hug; she helps me out tremendously." You would imagine that having a sibling with you at college, there would be some arguments. Not with these sisters. When asked if there were any disadvantages, they answered a quick, "NO!"
Growing up, they always played sports together even despite a two-year age gap. In high school, they shared the soccer field, basketball court and softball field together. Despite the difference in age, Avery was able to play with Addy in the older age groups. Addy said, "Not only did she move up, but she stood out, that was awesome to see considering she was playing two grades higher than she was supposed to." During Addy's senior year of high school, the pair won the Northern Maine regional championship for softball. Now at CM, they are able to push each other not only on the softball field, but in the classroom as well. Avery feels like she has helped Addy be a little more outgoing at college.
Avery admires Addy's personality and supportiveness. She knows Addy is her number one fan and always has her back. "She can always make a not so comfortable situation better by her personality and sense of humor; she's always making people laugh," says Avery. For Addy, she admires Avery's strength, and responsibility. "The way she takes the team and put us on her back is something very admirable."
Addy shared that her most memorable moment so far as a Mustang was beating CCRI after taking a tough loss to them. "I think this showed how strong we really are a team and some of my favorite games are when I'm defending behind Avery at the mound," says Addy. For Avery, her first year at CM has been filled with memories. From making all of the friends that she has and being a part of the national championship winning women's basketball team. Academically, getting into the nursing program was so important as she wants to become a doctor in the future after spending weeks in the hospital with her dad.
What's the future have in store for these two? Avery's personal goals for the season are very high as she wants to become an All-American not just athletically, but academically as well. As a team, she would do anything to go to nationals and have that experience with her teammates. Similar to Avery, Addy wants to be a registered nurse and ultimately would love to be working in the ICU or Life Flight.
Addy credits her high school softball coach, Jason Hardy, as having a positive impact on her. She never thanked him like she should have but was so grateful for him. When speaking about her coach she said, "He knew how to lift us athletes up, but he also knew when he needed to be serious and get the job done, to have this balance is difficult and many don't have it. I know coaching isn't easy and coaching females certainly isn't either, but he made it look effortless and for that I will always be grateful." For Avery, it was good friend and coach Bobby that made a great impact on her growing up. She's known him for awhile as he coaches baseball and played D1 at the University of Maine. Avery and Bobby are very much alike as far as their qualities go. Both are determined and strive to be the best of the best in sports and in like as well. Bobby was Avery's hitting coach and someone she could always count on to help her in any situation, whether in softball or life.
