Getting to Know: Freshman Third Baseman Lana Van Dyken

Getting to Know: Freshman Third Baseman Lana Van Dyken The former Seattle Mariners ballgirl traveled across the country to play for the Wolfpack.

Freshman Lana Van Dyken

Jan. 14, 2013

NC State's 2013 softball season begins on Feb. 8 at the Florida International Panther Invitational in Miami, with a new excitement as the fast-pitch program enters its 10^th season under first-year head coach Shawn Rychcik.

The squad returns three seniors - Caitlin Dent, Katie Mansilla and Bethaney Wells - as well as 2012 ACC Rookie of the Year Renada Davis, who set a school record last season with a batting average and on-base percentage.

Over the next five weeks, get to know the 14 players on this year's roster, beginning with the three newcomers, freshmen Chelsea Stanfield, Hanna Sommer and Lana Van Dyken.

Van Dyken is a former ballgirl for the Seattle Mariners who traveled cross country to play for the Wolfpack. As a four-year starter for Rogers High School, she helped her team to four consecutive state 4-A playoff appearances. She was both a two-year all-conference selection and a two-time team captain.

Lana Van Dyken
Puyallup, Wash.
Rogers High School
Freshman
Position: Third Base

PERSONAL
Favorite movie: "The Hangover"
Favorite magazine: Cosmopolitan
Favorite song/band: The Killer, Macklemore
Favorite class/subject: Health
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Cold Stone Cake Batter
Your ideal fast food meal (items from different places):
Meat: Bacon Side Item: Salad
Drink: Root Beer Dessert: Sugar Cookie

Career ambition (outside of your sport): DentistryWhat did you do between the end of fall practice and the start of the spring semester to improve your game? I hit with my former coach to improve my swing and I ran and lifted.

What is your favorite training/practice activity? Ground balls and bunts
What is your least favorite training/practice activity? Running bases
When did you first start playing softball, and did you play other sports before it? When i was 5, basketball and volleyball.
All sports you played in high school: softball, basketball, volleyball,

POP CULTURE
iphone or Droid? Iphone
Song/artist most played on your MP3 player: Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root
The TV channel or show you most watch: Modern Family
ESPN/MTV/Food Network: Food Network
Give your dress style a nickname/explain: Comfortable
Something that you cannot live without: My Phone
Besides NC State, what place do you like most in North Carolina: Wilmington Beach

YOU & YOUR TEAMMATES
Best dancer on the team: Chelsea Stanfield
Best cook on the team: Katie Mansilla
Favorite “home-cooked” meal: Roast and Mash Potatoes with corn
Best dresser on the team: Caitlin Dent

FAMILY MATTERS
Brothers/sisters: Justin Van Dyken
What/how many pets did you have growing up: Boxers, Cats, Fish, Guinea Pigs, Snakes, Lizards, Hamsters
Favorite vacation location: Mazatlan, Mexico
What’s the thing you miss most about home (besides family): Friends and food

ALL SPORTS, ALL THE TIME

Sports idol as a child: Natasha Wately, Crystal Bustos
Most famous athlete you have ever met: Ichiro
Favorite teams (any sport): Seattle Seahawks
Person in sports that you would most like to meet/why: Jackie Robinson, to see what it was like for him.
Proudest moment: First in my family to attend college.
If you picked your “team’s song” for this year, what would it be: anything 2 chainz

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NC State Wolfpack

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