Softball: ‘Best shortstop in the state’ — Medina keeps coming up big in the field, at the plate

In her spare time, Glenbard North junior shortstop Tru Medina enjoys painting.

In fact, she took the time to paint a sign for North’s four seniors this season that incorporated their favorite colors in the background.

This spring, Medina also did some painting on the field, the softball-equivalent of a Picasso in cementing herself as an elite 2-way player and one who many area observers feel is the top player in an extremely elite-talent-abundant DuPage County prep landscape.

Medina, who is committed to Northwestern, hit .531 and displayed upper-crust defense at shortstop in helping Glenbard North to a 19-9 record and a runner-up finish in the DuKane Conference — commonly regarded as one of the toughest softball leagues in the state.

For her efforts, Medina has been named the captain of the 2024 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area softball team.

“Tru is phenomenal in every aspect of the game,” Glenbard North junior outfielder Alyssa Abderhalden said. “We can always count on her clutch hits and her wide range at shortstop.”

At the plate, Medina was indeed clutch throughout the year, recording at least one hit in all but one of the Panthers’ regular-season games on her way to being named the DuKane Conference player of the year and appearing on the 2024 Illinois Coaches Association Class 4A all-state first-team — her third all-state honor in as many seasons.

Medina finished the season with 8 doubles, 4 triples, 14 home runs, 48 RBI and an on-base percentage of .625 to go with a 1.185 slugging percentage, 52 runs scored, 29 walks and 19 stolen bases.

Inside the tough DuKane Conference, Medina cracked 6 home runs against a league schedule where six of the eight teams sported .500-or-above conference records and only a 4-game spread separated first from fourth place.

Of course, league member St. Charles North recently won the Class 4A state title, while St. Charles East and Wheaton North reached sectional title games and Lake Park and Wheaton Warrenville South won regional titles. The DuKane tied with the Southwest Suburban Conference (Lincoln-Way Central and East, Andrew, Lockport and Bradley-Bourbonnais) for most teams with Class 4A regional titles this season (5) and most teams that reached a 4A sectional championship (3).

“There are a lot of great players in our conference,” one DuKane coach noted. “The one standout is from Glenbard North — Tru Medina. A great player.”

Of particular note, was Glenbard North’s DuKane game against Wheaton Warrenville South at the beginning of May. That contest was tied 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh with Medina leading off the home half of the frame. After taking two called strikes and staring at a 1-2 count against South standout pitcher Maddie Pool, Medina lined the next pitch over the right field fence to bring an abrupt conclusion to the game.

“There have been many great things I have seen Tru do on the field, but what sticks out to me is the home run against Wheaton Warrenville South in such a high-pressure situation,” Abderhalden noted.

While Medina most certainly got things done in the batter’s box, her play at shortstop has been equally, if not more, eye-opening.

“She is the best shortstop in the state,” Glenbard North coach Josh Sanew said. “She is the best shortstop I have ever seen. She makes all the routine plays, but has also made many ESPN highlight plays. She has the strongest arm I have seen from a shortstop.”

Medina credits the use of a football when she was younger in helping develop her elite arm strength.

“When I was younger, I used to play football with my brother (Javy) all the time,” said Medina, who also has two sisters (Trinity and Madi). “To me, the football was so heavy, but I was so determined to get it to him. It strengthened my arm. I have also been on teams that always do long toss and we throw very far. I guess I have been blessed with a strong arm.”

Medina likes the shortstop position because of the constant traffic and action.

“I feel like I can be part of almost every part of every play,” she said. “I can cheer on the third baseman or the second baseman when they make a play or I can be a cutoff. I love how many balls get hit to me and I like to show off my range.”

Abderhalden added: “Her throwing arm is so impressive. She will throw the ball so far yet so accurate, even if it’s from her knees.”

Committing to Northwestern was not a hard decision for Medina, who also took trips to check out Ohio State and South Carolina.

“Walking around the campus and talking with the coaches, I knew this is the place I wanted to go to,” she said. “One of the biggest parts of it is the campus is 45 minutes or an hour away from home. I love the coaches and the environment and the education also is a big part of it for me.”

Medina, who has a 4.1 grade-point average, is thinking about a psychology major with an eye on sports psychology — something she is keenly aware of on the diamond.

“The mental part of the game is huge,” she said. “It is so easy if you make an error or strike out to fall into a place of no confidence and a place of darkness. When you can build up your mentality toward the game, it helps you perform a lot better. It helps you keep that love of the game even if you don’t always perform.”

Medina, whose first name comes from her mother’s affinity for the character Tru Davies from the old Fox supernatural drama “Tru Calling,” is living proof how the mental side of the game does, indeed, matter greatly.

“I used to be really skinny and always nervous,” said Medina, whose middle name is Esperanza, which means “hope” in Spanish (so Tru Hope Medina).

“I wanted to perform to people’s expectations of me. I have grown and gained a lot more muscle and I am more confident. I play for myself, for my team and teammates. I don’t bother to care for stats or what people expect me to do. That has been a big jump for me. Freshman year, I was always afraid. Now, I come in so confident and have fun.”

And Medina isn’t finished having fun.

“I would sum up my first three years this way: personally, I am still growing as a player,” she said. “I did have a good three years, but I think next year will be even better mentally. Physically, I have grown a lot with my strength. These first three years, I am really proud of what I have done and I am happy for myself and thankful for the people around me that helped do all this.”