This time of year, you’ll find Samantha Rensvold with the ball in her hands in the middle of the pitching circle – a position with unquestionable spotlight and responsibility. 

Being an elite athlete at a pressure position can be a lot to handle, especially while maintaining a 3.97 GPA and juggling her fair share of AP classes. These are just a couple of the many reasons Rensvold received the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award. 

On top of her pitching duties and academic responsibilities, Rensvold participates in the National Honor Society, was a standout basketball and volleyball player, has been named academic student of the quarter and is a frequent volunteer at a multitude of area sports camps. 

It's fitting, since Rensvold has quite a name to live up to with a brother who was a star in his own right at Polson High School and parents who are influential members of the community.

“They know my potential and aren’t afraid to push me to be my best and past my own expectations for myself," said Rensvold of her family's influence. "I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my parents and my brother.”

With her connection to so many aspects of Pirate athletics and the community it's easy to see why she decided to give her $250 donation from the Winslow Nichols award to the softball team.  

“It’s a huge part of me so it feels really good to be able to give back to that program,” said Rensvold.  

She’s another stellar player in a long list of historically great Pirate softball players, and she knows the next generation is looking to her as an example. 

“That’s something that I think about every day,” she said. “How I can be a great example for these little girls just as I had really great examples when I was younger?”  

If the next generation of Polson athletes and students is looking for a great example, they would be hard pressed to find one better than Rensvold.  

“Samantha embodies the values of leadership, perseverance and service. Her ability to balance the demands of academics, athletics and extracurricular activities is truly remarkable, and she consistently does so with grace and humility,” said PHS counselor Nicole Bonner in recommending Rensvold for the award.  

Despite her many accolades, the student athlete is far more concerned about "we than me" when it comes to her role as a leader. “I love to be that person to go lift them up and say ‘hey, I have confidence in you,’” said Rensvold on her relationship to her teammates. 

What lies ahead is a junior college in Spokane where she will continue her academic and athletic career with aspirations to find her way to big-time college softball after she develops her game a bit more.  

“My lifelong dream since I was a kid was to go play D1 college softball,” she said.

As she nears the end of her time at PHS, Rensvold has her eyes set on lofty goals that include maintaining her valedictorian status and leading her team back to the state title game. 

As far as the mark she would like to leave on her hometown, it’s pretty simple. It’s not about awards, championships, or even about grades – although Rensvold understands the value of those things.  

“I just hope that people will see me as being positive, whether it’s my personality or the impact I had … someone who was always happy, lighthearted, never too serious … that person that people can go to for relief.” 

To nominate a student for the leadership award, head to www.logan.org/about/the-winslow-nichols-leadership-award/. 

    Polson's Samantha Rensvold looks to get the out during last week's game against Ronan. (Christa Umphrey photo)