Viviana Guzman’s ultimate goal is to set a new standard in her family.
Guzman is the second member of her family to play softball for Waukegan. Her older sister Natalie was a four-year standout for the Bulldogs. Her younger sister Araceli also has started playing softball.
“I want to be one of the first from my family to be a college athlete,” Guzman said. “I’m hoping to go Division I, which would be a first for my family, and be the first to play four years in a sport in college.
“I’m also being a great role model for my younger sister, showing her that hard work pays off and to never stop pushing.”
Guzman, the 2021 News-Sun Softball Player of the Year, showed that during her junior season. On a team with several new players, including a freshman catcher, Guzman went 3-5 with a 1.36 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 56 ? innings.
When she wasn’t pitching, she played at shortstop or in the outfield. She hit .442 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs.
Guzman was named the player of the year in the North Suburban Conference and was selected to the Illinois Coaches Association’s Class 4A all-state third team.
“I was super grateful to receive the player of the year conference award and to represent Waukegan, my family and my community,” she said. “It was great to achieve it. My teammates on the field really helped me. There’s a lot of great players in our conference.
“I think I came back stronger, throwing the harder with more movement. My drop curve was working well, and my change-up kept hitters off-balance. I also was seeing the ball better this year at the plate. I practiced a lot on my hitting, and I learned not to be so cautious at the plate.”
Waukegan coach Amy Ramsey said Guzman, known as “Vivi,” is driven by her desire to play in college. Ramsey said Guzman became a complete player this season.
“(Viviana) had an incredible season, never really got into a slump and is one of most humble kids,” Ramsey said. “She’s a quiet leader and confident at the plate.
“She was coming off a back injury to start the season, so I didn’t throw her a lot in the first couple of games. She was also working with a freshman catcher who struggled to keep up with her at the start of the season because she throws so hard.”
Guzman credits her older sister for instilling the importance of hard work and consistency.
“Natalie was a great pitcher and never showed any emotion on the mound,” she said. “I was always watching her when I was little.”
Ramsey said the sisters are very different players, however.
“Natalie’s greatest strength as a player was her softball IQ and understanding situations,” she said. “Natalie moved the ball more, while Viviana’s got more power, is stronger and throws harder, has an incredible curveball and a change-up on point. Natalie was more of a finesse pitcher, and Viviana is also more of a home run hitter.”
Guzman has entered a key summer recruiting period.
“I’m starting my recruiting process now, but it’s going slow,” she said. “I’m hoping to find a perfect fit. A lot of girls from my travel team have committed to Division I schools. Hopefully, by the end of the summer, I’ll find my dream school and (future) home.
“I’m hoping all my hard work pays off and shows that no matter where you’re from, you can do it.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
