Louisiana UnLimited: Brooke Ellestad was destined to be a Cajun
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Brooke Ellestad, a junior infielder from Wisconsin, has had a great first season with the Cajuns, proving herself to be an asset to the team. Although she got off to a slow start, Ellestad has bulked up her stats. With a batting average of .356, 42 hits, a .568 slugging percentage, and 33 RBI, Brooke has been a major player for the Cajuns, even earning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week after leading the team to a series sweep against Appalachian State.
Before coming to Louisiana, Ellestad played her freshman and sophomore year at the University of St. Thomas, in Minnesota, which is in the Summit League. This year the Cajuns have played some of their hardest competition yet with schools like California, Texas, Baylor, Stanford, and three-time defending national champion Oklahoma. After joining the Cajuns Ellestad was eager to face these new and very challenging opponents.
"I saw the schedule and I was like 'Yes, this is what I want, this is what I want to face,'" said Ellestad. "At first I was like, we're playing Oklahoma in their new stadium. I was so excited and this is kind of what it's all about."
After a tough pre-conference schedule, the Cajuns are number one in the Sun Belt Conference with a record of 14-1 and ranked in the top 25 in the country. Ellestad has learned to "relax a little bit more," since the team has begun to be more in sync during conference play.
Ellestad's addition to the Cajun softball program was the perfect match, but when Ellestad initially entered the transfer portal, not only was she not initially looked at by the coaching staff, but she didn't believe the Cajuns even wanted her.
"I was like, 'The Cajuns don't want me,'" she said. "I don't think I played well against them my freshman year. I don't think they even know who I am.'"
It wasn't until a family friend suggested her to head coach Gerry Glasco, that he was able to look at her film and make her a part of the softball family.
Despite being over 1,000 miles away from her hometown of Kimberly, Wisconsin, the transition to a new team and a new city has been made smoother for Ellestad through the warmth of the community.
"They're there for you right after the game no matter what, with a hug and some food for you. If you need anything they're there for you and that's what makes it so easy."
Through the support of the community Ellestad has been able to level up her game midst this transition, but the biggest motivation for Ellestad is her friend Kate whom she bonded with over their love of softball.
Tragically, Kate passed away in June of 2022. Losing one of her close friends was hard for Ellestad but since then she has used it as motivation to continue playing hard in honor of Kate's life and love for softball.
"Everyone talks about your why and why you play sports. The 'why' in why you put the jersey on and come out on the field. My 'why' is because people don't get to and she was the girl that she wanted it so bad [...] and she doesn't get to and I do."
What cemented Ellestad's commitment to Louisiana was an experience she had when she came for her visit during a media day. She was getting ready to take pictures, when she asked for a black jersey. The jersey she was given happened to have the number 17.
