Torch of Excellence Spotlight - O’Sullivan Family

 

With both Brendan and Natalie O'Sullivan growing up in Pleasanton the thought of them coming to Stockton for college and attending Delta College was not one that had really crossed their minds until late in high school, but both have made the hour plus drive and excelled as big pieces of two of the top programs in the state with Brendan on the Mustangs baseball team and Natalie on the women's soccer team. 

 

After a deep run in the state playoffs last season the Mustangs baseball team is once again looking for a state championship season this year and one of those players playing a big part in that success is Brendan O'Sullivan as he was recently one of six Mustangs to be named to the Big 8 Conference First Team.

 

"He has had a great career here and has been a catalyst for us," said head coach Reed Peters about Brendan O'Sullivan who has hit .358 with five home runs and 41 runs batted in while also being just one of two players that has played in all 41 games this season.

 

"Brendan has a great approach and demeanor at the plate and brings it offensively every day. He is a good leader who leads by example and the kind of guy that coaches love to coach," said Peters about O'Sullivan who has played multiple positions over his time with the Mustangs.'

 

With no Division I offer out of high school Brendan O'Sullivan said that the decision to come to Delta College once they reached out to him was a "no-brainer". "I knew they were one of the top programs and top coaching staffs in the state with a crazy reputation of winning a lot of games," said Brendan about what he knew before joining the team. 

 

"It's almost like a D1 program and you develop a lot with being able to get all the work in and time with the coaches that we get. It's been a great last two years and I love it every day here."

 

As the older brother in an athletic family his coming to Delta College helped play a part in his younger sister, Natalie, coming to Delta College this past fall to play soccer.

 

"I didn't know about Delta until my brother decided to come here," said Natalie O'Sullivan as she wraps up her freshman year that saw her score nine goals and have ten assists during a women's soccer season that saw her named to the Big 8 Conference First Team. She also scored the team's lone goal in their Final Four game with her goal giving the Mustangs the lead at the time. 

 

"I knew from my brother's process that Delta is a top athletic junior college, one of the best in the state, and I wanted to go somewhere that was a challenge. (Head Coach) Adrienne (Sorenson) was really welcoming and made me know that I am going to get better in this environment."

 

"Sometimes it can be a little big tough to get kids to come here from the Pleasanton area with the drive," said women's soccer coach Adrienne Sorenson. "Her brother already being here helped because the family was already familiar with Delta, and he was having a good experience here too."

 

"She's a really talented player on the ball, dynamic, very technical, and she can do everything but it's her mindset that really separates her," said Sorenson about her talented midfielder who is expected to be one of the leaders next season. 

 

"The coaches and everyone at Delta are so welcoming and supportive," said Natalie O'Sullivan. "It's so nice to have that support and the team is so close and every day is just so fun. I am so happy I came here. Best decision I've ever made."