Feature: Zuri Patterson’s Comeback

The recruitment process is tough for anyone, but for those navigating it while battling an injury, the challenge becomes an exhausting test of resilience and determination.

Senior Zuri Patterson committed to play Division I softball at the University of Washington next fall, but that journey was not easy. The summer before her junior year, Patterson ruptured her Achilles tendon, which was a setback that came just as the recruitment process was heating up. September 1 first marked the official start of the NCAA Division I recruiting period for softball, allowing coaches to contact prospective players directly.

Patterson had dreamed of playing Power Five softball since she was a young girl, so the achilles injury was both heartbreaking and difficult to process. At a recruitment camp in Colorado during one of the biggest softball tournaments of the year, Patterson was performing a drill when she heard the distinct pop of her torn achilles.

“I was at a workout combine and I was the last one to go in a running drill and when I went to take off I just fell and I heard the pop,” stated Patterson. 

The road to recovery was long. Surgery to repair the tear took place on July 6, 2023, but it was just the beginning of months of physical therapy, doctor visits, and challenging rehabilitation. Patterson not only lost her summer of softball, but also her entire fall season, which pushed her even further behind in the recruitment process.

As September first came and went, Patterson had to watch as her teammates committed to their future schools while she remained sidelined. The waiting was the hardest part—each day felt like it was pushing her further away from her goals. But instead of letting it break her, Patterson stayed focused. She kept in touch with coaches through emails and virtual videos, making sure they knew she was still working hard and improving. Every small step in her recovery reminded her that she could still control her journey, even if it was not going exactly how she had planned.

Eventually, on November 28, 2023, she was cleared to start hitting and slowly ease back into her sport. She was still months behind where she wanted to be, but being back on the field playing the game she loved only fueled her determination to work even harder. Instead of enjoying the winter months as a newly committed softball player, Patterson had to retrain and push herself more than ever before.

Finally, the spring season arrived, and she was able to play in a game again. Not only did Patterson return to softball, but she was also ready for her junior season of track. She elevated her track performance during her junior year, qualifying for the state meet and finishing second in shot put. She now holds the Northwest record with a throw of 41’10.50.

“Zuri really flipped a switch late in the season and even between state qualifier and the state championships I saw Zuri grow into a completely new person to perform at her best,” stated track coach, Mr. Westerkamp. 

After her track season, it was softball time for Zuri. The summer season was back, giving coaches their first real chance to see her after the injury. Patterson was not only back to playing in the big showcase tournaments but she was also better and stronger.

“The first tournament that we had, I did really well, which shocked me. But I just tried to stay calm and not think about who was in the crowd and to just keep playing like Zuri,” Patterson said.

The remainder of the summer season, that is exactly what she did—she played like Zuri. During one of her softball showcases, she hit a home run that cleared the tournament complex and landed in the parking lot. Following the game, she spoke with one of the assistant coaches for Washington who had been watching her throughout the tournament. The coach told her that he was no longer recruiting her because he already knew she was good enough to play for their school.

“I didn’t cry in the moment but I was just wowed because he didn’t have to tell me that. It was just something for me because it meant someone believed in me,” Patterson said.

Zuri continued to stay in contact with the assistant coach who had been recruiting her as well as the entire Washington coaching staff. Eventually, her official visit was scheduled which took place over a year after the Division I softball recruitment period had started. The weekend visit fell in early September. This was Patterson’s first and only official visit and she was excited to get a feel for the campus. During her recruitment visit, she met the team, academic advisors and coaching staff and attended a football game. By the end of the weekend, Zuri knew this was going to be her new home.

Finally, the day arrived when Zuri’s dream came true. On October 15, 2025, Patterson announced her commitment to the University of Washington where she will continue her academic and athletic career.

“I’m super proud of her and everything she has overcome. I can’t wait to watch her as a Washington Husky,” stated teammate Payton Smith.