2014 - Sophomore: Academic All-Big Ten ... NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete ... Played in seven games as a sophomore, with one appearance behind the plate ... Batted .500 on the year, tallying one hit in two at-bats and scoring a run ... Made her first career appearance at catcher against IUPUI, playing behind the plate for the fourth inning and helping lead the Illini defense to a 1-2-3 inning ... Had her first career at-bat against Binghamton ... Registered her first career hit against Western Michigan, singling as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning ... Scored as a pinch runner in game two against Wisconsin.
2013 - Freshman: NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete ... Appeared in 15 games as a pinch runner, going 1-for-3 in steals and scoring four runs ...Stole a base and scored against Green Bay as a pinch runner ... Scored a run against Providence ... Scored the game-winning run on March 30 against No. 24 Nebraska ... Pinch ran against Minnesota on Apr. 14, scoring on a grounder to short with the bases loaded.
High School: Lettered in softball as a sophomore, junior and senior at Leyden High School, also lettering in basketball ... Was named all-conference twice and all-area once during her scholastic career, batting .323 with a .515 slugging percentage, 30 RBIs and 15 stolen bases as a senior ... Equaled her athletic success in the classroom, tallying a plethora of honors that included being named an Illinois State Scholar while receiving the Helen St. John Award for English, Exceptional Eagle Award for Mathematics and Fern Award for Math ... Also totaled the highest GPA Award for basketball and softball, and was given the American Legion Award.
Personal: Born October 26, 1993 ... Daughter of Jim and Geri Sullivan ... Has an older sister ... Chose Illinois over Emory, Hillsdale College, Wisconsin and Notre Dame ... Majoring in Chemistry.
Getting to Know Dana:
Nickname: DSull
Favorite Athlete: Geovany Soto
Favorite Singer/Band: Alicia Keys/Rascal Flatts
Favorite Quote: "You just can't beat the person who won't give up."
Favorite Class You've Taken: Chemistry AP in high school
Three Things on your "Bucket List": Sky dive, ride the 10 largest roller coasters in the world, live in a different country for at least 6 months
If you were to win $10 million, what would you do with it? SHOP! Save for the future, and donate to charities
Who most influenced your athletic career? My high school basketball coach taught me the importance sports can have on your life and taught me to give it my all in the sport that I am most passionate about. He knew softball was that sport for me and he showed how far dedication will take you.
Why Illinois? One visit to the campus and I was sold. I love the atmosphere, people, classes, and SOFTBALL!
Favorite Midnight Snack: Hot Cheetos
