Whiting’s Jordyn Rivera is the oldest of five children, which comes with built-in responsibilities. Her siblings often look to her for direction.
That can be challenging, but Rivera doesn’t shy away from opportunities to make a difference. In fact, that’s what draws her to softball.
“What made it stick was having maybe not all the control over the game but knowing my personal performance can help the team do better overall,” Rivera said. “That individual aspect of the sport, making a play or hitting the ball, I really like that.”
So far this season, Rivera has looked very much in command. The senior infielder is batting a career-high .382 with a 1.006 OPS and 14 runs scored, and she sets the tone for the Oilers (5-6), according to coach Kelly Morando.
“She’s the leadoff hitter,” Morando said. “She establishes a lot of things on the field and off the field. She’s a vocal leader who also leads by example. Being the first one on the field, making sure things get done, directing and helping underclassmen, that’s her biggest impact.
“It’s something that she’s always had. As she’s gotten older and more confident, she’s been able to vocalize that more and become the leader. She’s been a captain the last few years, but it was already there. She’s just grown into the role as her confidence has grown.”
Rivera, who also plays basketball, has learned from her experiences with her brothers and sisters that leadership is about confidence, connection and understanding what each moment requires.
“I would say I’m a pretty funny person,” she said. “I always try to keep it positive. I crack jokes with my teammates. It makes it really enjoyable for me to be able to appreciate my last experiences. But also still holding them accountable and letting them know, ‘All right, it’s time to get serious, it’s time to make this next play.’
“I’m all about keeping a good balance of having fun and enjoying the sport but also keeping it serious because we do need to win and we do need to do better.”
Whiting junior Lilianna Bell, who is batting .440 with a 1.400 OPS, believes the qualities that make Rivera a strong leader are the same ones that make her an even better person.
“I consider her my best friend,” Bell said. “She has hugely impacted my life and showed me what a true friend is. Whether it’s being there for me whenever I need her or helping me out with whatever she can, she just shows what it means to be a great person. Seeing her around her family, she is a truly caring person. I look up to her.”
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Rivera, who intends to study public health management and policy at Indiana University, is looking forward to college, however.
“Not that I don’t like being responsible for my siblings, but I’m really excited to get away and be by myself and not have to worry about little humans all the time,” she said. “I’m just excited to be on my own.
“Bloomington is huge. It’s a whole new city, a whole new experience. I’m excited to see where the future will take me and what that school will bring for me.”
Noah Poser is a freelance reporter.