Kaela Sosa is a sophomore at Appalachian State University majoring in Management (BSBA). Through her experiences at Appalachian, she has been able to pursue her interests in data analytics with the Baseball Analytics Team. Outside of school, she has used her passion for fishing to represent the university and make connections with other students.
Sosa has recently been selected to represent the Pro-Fishing Team–Blue Tales Fishing, in Miami, Florida as an official female angler. Sosa had been following the team online for a while, so when a position opened up, she immediately applied.
“My favorite aspect of the sport is being out in the ocean where you feel so small and are just one small thing apart from this huge beautiful planet. I love the action and excitement because you never really know what is on the other end of your fishing pole,” said Sosa.
Sosa has become an advocate for the university through her fishing career. She has been contacted by students who live in Florida that follow her team and are now App State students. She welcomed them to campus on moving day, serving as their tour guide and contact person.
“Being a part of the Blue Tales fishing team has given me the opportunity to spread the word about our university and I have been able to welcome new students into becoming an App State Mountaineer,” said Sosa.
Sosa was born in Miami, Florida, and moved to Boone when she was about seven years old. She chose to attend App State not just because it felt like home, but because it offered a wide variety of opportunities.
She is also a member of the Appalachian Baseball Analytics Team and is assisting in starting a Baseball Analytics Club. Using the analytics software called Trackman, Sosa helps collect both pitching and hitting data for baseball players. Before, baseball fans had to rely on checking the back of baseball cards for players’ stats, but Trackman makes this information much more accessible.
“It's been an awesome experience and I have definitely learned a lot, not just about the sport but also about what I would like to do in the future. My plans following graduation are not completely set in stone, but I hope to have obtained my captain's license and would like to work with a baseball or football team as either the general or operations manager,” explained Sosa.
###
About the Department of Mathematical Sciences
The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in actuarial science and mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in mathematics, with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching. Learn more at https://mathsci.appstate.edu.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling approximately 3,000 undergraduates in 10 majors and 175 graduate students in three master's programs, the Walker College is accredited by AACSB International – the premier global accrediting body for schools of business. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,400 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.
By Sophia Woodall
January 26, 2022
BOONE, N.C.
Sophomore, Kaela Sosa holding a yellow fin tuna she caught. Photo submitted.
Sophomore, Kaela Sosa holding a yellow fin tuna she caught. Photo submitted.