Abby Zawadzki, a standout player from St. Charles North, has taken a pivotal step in her softball career. She decided to bet on herself, redouble her efforts, and capitalize on her opportunities.
Zawadzki signed with Ohio State’s coach Kirin Kumar on June 30. She will join Sara Tarr, a former summer teammate from West Aurora, in the Big Ten. This marks a change from her original commitment to Ole Miss of the SEC.
The move came after Zawadzki reopened her recruitment last September. She understood the challenges associated with recruiting during the spring college season.
Zawadzki stated, “When high school ended, I had to pick things up and get rolling. I had really good support.”
Lauren McNulty, Zawadzki’s coach for the 18U Dennison Silver Hawks and Tarr, lent valuable assistance. McNulty’s connections proved crucial in navigating the recruitment process. Zawadzki also emphasized the importance of active engagement, such as attending camps and reaching out to coaches.
The NCAA’s roster limit change partly influenced Zawadzki’s decision. A limit of 25 players now exists as opposed to the previous 35. This shift affected her class at Ole Miss, as many offers were withdrawn. Despite her initial commitment, she had to look for other options.
Coach Kumar was already an admirer of Zawadzki’s talent. Kumar’s second season with the Buckeyes saw her leave Miami of Ohio for Ohio State. Tarr followed Kumar, contributing significantly to the Buckeyes’ season. She made 28 starts as a freshman.
Ohio State’s recruiting in the Aurora-Elgin area has proven successful. Madi Reeves, another recruit from this region, was the MAC Freshman of the Year at Miami of Ohio before moving to Louisville.
During her senior year, Zawadzki excelled, achieving a 12-0 record with a 2.07 ERA. She hit .420 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs, earning the title of 2026 Beacon-News/Courier-News Softball Player of the Year.
Zawadzki expressed enthusiasm for college-level play, saying, “I said, ‘Yes!'” when asked if she wanted to hit. However, her future role will depend on her performance.
Her track record suggests her potential success at Ohio State.