Kevin Noertker, Baseball, Class of 2009

What is your major?
Mechanical Engineering , History (Minor)

What is it about your field of study that intrigues you?
I have always been a 'thinker' and a 'tinkerer'. Mechanical Engineering combines rigorous academic study with creative ventures, encouraging innovation and exploration in the world around us.

Favorite athletic moment at Caltech?
I have always been a 'warning-track hitter', never having the power to put a baseball over the fence. In my third season of Caltech Baseball I worked on my swing quite a bit before the season started. My first swing of my first at bat in our first game put a ball over the left-center fence. The hard work continued to pay off, resulting in an additional 3 conference home runs during the rest of the season.

People will be surprised to know . . .
I didn't play baseball the last two years of high school.

Describe your sport in 3 words?
Community, Strength, perseverance

Describe your coach in 3 words?
A Great Storyteller

Favorite SCIAC school to compete against?
OXY - they have a short Left field fence.

Favorite part about being a student-athlete at Caltech?
Caltech athletics bring out a person's true passion for the game. Rather than playing for numbers on a score-board, you compete because you love the game.

What teammate has inspired you the most?
Matt Glassman. He always smiles, always keeps his head up, always runs, and attempts the diving catch - even when they seem too far away.

Favorite place to eat on the road?
I'd prefer to eat on either the median or the shoulder; they seem to be a bit safer.

Favorite book?
The Iliad, Homer

Favorite quote?
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. Winston Churchill

If you could go to any sporting event what would it be?
The final game of the World Series.

If you could bring anything from your hometown what would it be?
The mountains.

In 10 years, I’ll be . . . .
On the moon.

If you hadn’t come to Caltech where would you be now?
Skiing the powdery slopes of Utah.

What story would you tell your children about Caltech Athletics?
When the team goe a NCAA record for the most hit batters in a game.

What makes you laugh the most?
Hearing the groans of my friends after telling them a bad joke.

Where do you get your motivation from when things get tough?
1) my sticky notes, 2) my dad

Best team experience at Caltech?
Our Spring break trip to Nor-Cal. Icecream with Shawn.

Best thing about Caltech?
Sharing passion with my peers. Having access to the world's premiere scientists.

What would you like to achieve most in your life?
I want to be happy and have a happy family.

What have you learned about yourself through competing as a student-athlete?
I am optimistic.

If you could change one thing about Caltech what would it be?
I'd like if student's didn't feel so lost in the work.

What is your favorite pitch to hit . . . to throw, favorite play, shot etc.?
high and inside

Best part about living in California?
No need to practice inside… ever!