Maddie Luebkert, Social Media Editor–
In the jam-packed Swasey Chapel at the top of Denison University’s hill, senior biology major Annabelle Calderon, 21, from Perris, California got up from her pew. She walked up to the chapel stage, and accepted her President’s Medal.
The prestigious medal is awarded to students excelling in academics, service, athletics, leadership, and fostering community. Calderon was one of 10 to win the award.
What brought Calderon to Denison, what led her to accomplishments, research, job opportunities, and closest friendships, was a sport she started at 5 years old: softball.
Calderon’s brother played baseball, and Calderon begged to sit on the sidelines and watch him practice. Soon enough, Calderon began to play herself, and fell in love with the sport.
One could say it is in Calderon’s blood. Her mother, Crystal Horton, played Division I softball for Eastern Michigan. Sometimes, Calderon’s mom was her coach, but that never caused problems between them.
“She’s my best friend,” said Calderon.
But that’s not to say playing ball came without its fair share of problems for Calderon. One frightening memory comes to her in the shape of home base.
“I hit what should have been a triple, but got the green light to run home,” said Calderon. After smacking the ball with the bat, dirt flew as she ran past first, second, and got to third. She was told to keep going, and that’s when it happened.
She collided with the catcher, fell, and hit her head on the ground.
Not only would she have to stop playing softball, Calderon would miss almost her entire second semester of sophomore year.
She moved into the living room, sleeping on the couch because she couldn’t go upstairs. She missed school work, AP tests, and softball practices. She spent a lot of time alone.
“It made me mad at softball,” said Calderon. “I was convinced that I wouldn’t play again.”
Safe to say, Calderon was wrong. She most certainly did play again.
It started when a rival coach asked her to come to a practice. It would be her first one since the concussion, Calderon was scared.
But after that practice Calderon knew she couldn’t stay away from the sport. She transferred high schools to play for that coach. She is forever grateful for that decision.
But softball was more than just a passion for Calderon.
“Softball was going to get me to college,” said Calderon.
She needed scholarships, whether they were athletic or academic didn’t matter to her, but if softball could give her an in, Calderon was willing to take it. She even got offered a full ride to a school in Georgia for softball.
Denison, however, made her question that decision.
“(It was) the idea that I could get an amazing education and perform at a super high level,” said Calderon. “I wanted to be with athletes who wanted to be there, but also knew that you have a career after this.”
It is hard to turn down a full ride. Calderon wasn’t going to, but early one morning she woke up to a call that her full ride scholarship to the school in Georgia had been rescinded due to shifts in funding. She was supposed to sign that day.
Later that day, however, Denison called with an offer.
“I heard back from Denison, and I was like, that’s why that happened,” said Calderon. “I was not meant to sign that contract.”
Calderon is a competitor, she wants to be the best, and was raised to do so. Does this get in the way of building strong connections with her teammates? Absolutely not according to Calderon. In fact, being a part of a team, a family, is behind Calderon’s passion for softball.
“To compete with your people is a whole different experience,” said Calderon.
The friendships Calderon values are evident through memories with her teammates.
“My favorite memory when I look back to my time here as a softball player with Calderon, is being proud that we finished together,” said her teammate, Jacqui Abogado ‘25.
“Everything we have been through together, [it] just makes it even better to know we were able to play our favorite sport and become the best versions of ourselves through it,” said Abogado.
Outside of softball, Calderon pursues research combining biochemistry with health and exercise science. Her senior research consists of a course designed for undergraduates to learn about hypoxia, the deficiency of oxygen.
Calderon also made interesting findings in biology research she pursued as a sophomore, finding that female athletes’ risk of injury may be related to menstruation. She discovered at certain phases, the luteal phases, at a higher risk for injury, specifically for acl tears, as a series of chemical reactions during the luteal phase may cause joints to be less stable. Calderon presented this research to both Denison’s athletic department and Miami University’s strength and conditioning department.
Calderon has thrived during her time at Denison. Among the awards and honors she has earned are the 2024 Diamond Sports NFCA Catcher of the Year, 2024 NFCA First Team All-America, NFCA First-Team All-Region in 2023 and 2024, 2024 All-NCAC First Team, the 2024 NCAC All-Tournament Team, NCAC Player of the Week (twice), NCAC Academic Honor Roll and been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, an honor society recognizing college athletes.
“Annabelle is very ambitious and her work ethic is insane… she makes everyone around her want to be better and work hard,” said Abogado.
“Annabelle’s effect on those around her is truly profound,” said head softball Coach and Associate Professor Tiffany Ozbun.
“[Calderon] embodies the role of an energy giver, always finding intrinsic motivation and urging her teammates to strive for excellence. She is a consistent source of support, encouraging her peers to push past their limits while maintaining her composure under pressure,” said Ozbun.
A recent one Calderon has added to her collection: the President’s Medal. It is the award she is most proud of.
“It means more to me than just the award itself, it’s for my mom,” said Calderon.
She believes that the medal is a manifestation of all of her and her mom’s hard work, the sacrifices they made, the late nights, the weekend softball games, the hotel stays, the fees, the gear, the maps, the gloves, everything, said Calderon.
Post-Denison, Calderon will attend the University of Kansas to obtain a Masters in science and a PhD in exercise science and biochemistry. While there, Calderon will not only be a student, but will teach classes too.
“The first year, I am going to teach courses like intro to strength and conditioning, meditation, mindfulness, maybe a yoga class,” said Calderon.
Her dream job is to be a scientist, but teaching and coaching call to her too.
“I love building an environment where people feel like they can work and that they can fail,” said Calderon.
“That’s why I love to coach. Give me goals. I’ll help you get there.”
