High School: Earned six letters and won four team MVP awards for the Rochester Lourdes softball team, hitting for a career average of .509 – was a four-time all-conference, all-section, and all-state selection – set eight school season records, including average (.595), hits (47), and fewest strikeouts (one) – Holds 13 school career records, including average (.509), hits (135), and hitting streak (31 games) – won the school’s Francis McGovern Award for her dedication to athletics and the Early Risers Exchange Club Athlete of the Season – Competed in numerous ASA and USSSA state and national events – was a part of the Minnesota State High School League All-Star Series and was a finalist for the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission’s Female Athlete of the Year Award – also lettered three times in hockey and twice in volleyball – selected to three hockey all-conference teams and one all-state team, as well as one volleyball all-conference team.

College: Sam’s collegiate accolades include three Academic All B1G Ten Honors, a 2-Time Distinguished Scholar, received both 1st and 2nd All B1G Ten Team honors, and was a 2-Time NFCA All-Region selection. In her freshman campaign, her walk-off single sealed the Gophers 1st B1G Ten championship in 15 years. She was also instrumental in leading the Gophers to their first-ever Super Regional appearance with a go-ahead home run against Auburn in the final NCAA Regional. Sam helped lead the Gophers to 3 B1G Ten Championships, 4 NCAA Tournaments, and a Super Regional in her 4-year career. She ended her career ranked 2nd All-Time in runs scored and 4th All-Time in doubles. Her career batting average was 0.339. In her senior season, she was awarded the B1G Ten Sportsmanship Award and was a Top-30 Finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. The Gophers won over 190 games in her 4-year career and helped establish the program’s winningest season ever in 2017 (56-5). Sam graduated in 2017 with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Sports Management.