Kherington Bernard plays Softball for Penn.
What are your pre-game rituals?: My teammates and I like to get Subway before home games, and on away games we like to play music on the bus, sing, and have a good time.
Who is your biggest role model?: One of my biggest role models is my hitting coach, who has helped me through a lot of my hard moments but has also set an amazing example for me.
What is your favorite memory with Penn Softball?: Some of my favorite memories were when we would get rain delays, and we would hang out, sing karaoke, and play games before the rain was cleared.
What do you love about your sport?: I love how fast your teammates and coaches turn into family and how close everybody gets.
How do you mentally prepare yourself before a big game?: Before a game, I think of all of the things that I have been personally working on at the plate and things to focus on, but once the game starts, I erase all of those thoughts and dial in.
What do you think makes a good team captain?: Someone who leads by example, is always positive and loud, doesn’t let mistakes get to them, and picks the team up.
What advice would you give a freshman?: I would say to definitely watch the upperclassmen, how they are thinking, where they are moving, because you can learn a lot just by watching them. I would also say don’t be shy on the field. Make sure you have good communication, pick your teammates up, and ask questions.
How do you bounce back after a tough game?: I take a step back and focus on the little things. Maybe there is something I can learn from or something my whole team can build from. But connecting with your coaches and teammates and resetting can do a lot, as well as focusing on what needs to be improved.
What is your favorite team tradition?: I love when we do team bonding. All of the girls get together to hang out and grow closer to each other. It’s also a good opportunity to take a step back from softball and be around your teammates without worrying about the sport itself. I also like when we do service as a team, like working at the Miracle League parks, hosting a trunk-or-treat, and working concession stands.
What is one thing you always bring to a game?: I usually always need a Gatorade, Powerade, or Liquid I.V., especially on the hot days, to keep me focused and dialed in.
