Garrett

Nickel

Personal

Wears No. 30...Parent is Sara Nickel...Favorite activities include running, hoking, kayaking or traveling...Three words to describe him are: competitive, passionate and funny...On what it means to play for USA Softball: "There is no greater feeling than someone asking who you play for, and simply being able to respond with 'Team USA.'"

Career Highlights

• First time Team USA member

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GETTING TO KNOW NICKEL

Favorite Movie: Grease or The Sandlot

Favorite Meal: Chicken Alfredo

Favorite TV Show: Survivor or Grey's Anatomy

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Nashville Predators, Tennessee Titans and the St. Louis Cardinals

Q&A WITH NICKEL 

What was your first memory of USA Softball/Olympics? "Three years ago I reached out to a complete stranger, who is now the Head Coach of the team (Ty McKinney) and it is a huge part of how I got to where I am today."

What do you most enjoy about softball? "I enjoy the competition and the mental challenges every workout, practice or game gives me."

How did you get started playing softball? "I started by teaching myself how to pitch off YouTube videos and eventually connected with Team USA."

Who were your softball role models growing up? "I grew up on soccer, but I eventually built my style of pitching off of players like Ellen Renfroe, Ally Carda and Jessica Moore."

Did you play any other sports growing up? "I played baseball and soccer from when I was six years old up until my freshman year of high school."

What non-softball sport would you like to try? "If I was bigger I wish I could have played football. It's my favorite sport to watch."

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? "To have fun."

What's your personal motto? "No excuses, play like a champion." - Wedding Crashers