Hello Illini Fans!

My name is Kelly Ryono and I am a junior outfielder majoring in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. My goal is to be a firefighter paramedic after my career here playing for the orange and blue. My hometown is Huntington Beach, California and it is safe to say that I have definitely been utilizing my winter coat here in Champaign since coming back from winter break.

We just finished our first week of the spring semester, and all classes were held online. However this week we go back to being in the classroom, which I am very excited about. It has been so awesome being able to be back in an in-person class at the best university in the country. I can't say I am biased :).

The softball team is also about two weeks into our final leg of preseason practice. We have been putting in hours of work on the practice field, in the weight room, and completing mental training. This team is extremely special and I am so proud to be a part of it. I can truly say that these girls are my family and we can't wait to show you all what we have been training for since we stepped on campus in August. I am so excited to see you all back in the orange and blue at Eichelberger Field this upcoming season.

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Kelly Ryono #14