By: Josh Burkholder, Director of Athletics Communication
Over the past five years, the Northwest Nazarene softball program has been the most successful team on campus. One could make a great case for it being the best run of any NNU squad since the move to NCAA Division II in 2001, as well as one of the greatest past four years that GNAC softball has ever seen.
The Nighthawks, who finished the 2024 regular season with an overall record of 37-8 and 20-4 mark in GNAC play, claimed their fourth straight GNAC regular season title this year. They also went for their third straight GNAC tournament championship. Over the course of the past five years, NNU softball has registered an overall record of 150-68 and a GNAC mark of 71-21, while also reaching the NCAA tournament in each of the past three seasons.
While there are many players that have been a part of this incredible run, there are only two that have been in a Nighthawks uniform for the entire five-year stretch: Sidney Booth and Abigail Gagnon. The pair are the winningest duo in NNU softball history, have multiple appearances in the program record books and have won numerous conference, regional and national honors. Also, they just so happen to have been roommates over the past four years, a bond that has become something much bigger than softball in the last couple of months.
On the morning of Friday, March 1st before a home game, Gagnon experienced a seizure for the first time in her life. She has been experiencing them with varying frequency ever since, and was diagnosed with epilepsy on Sunday, March 10th.
While this has caused multiple trials and challenges over the course of the season, Gagnon has been able to continue to play when cleared by doctors and perform at a high level. Off the field, though, having Booth as her roommate has been one of the greatest blessings during this turbulent time in her life. 
“Sid has been my rock through this new challenge of epilepsy that I’ve had to go through during this season,” said Gagnon. “I never in a million years thought that I would have to be dealing with something like this at this point in my life, but I know that things happen for a reason. I also believe that Sid is in my corner to help me out for a reason right now as well. She never fails to make sure that I take my medications on time, and she never fails to be there for me if I happen to tell her that I am feeling off or weird for any reason.
“I know that if our roles were reversed in this situation, I would not be okay with seeing the things that she has had to see me go through, so I will forever be extra thankful for all the love and support she has given me. Sid has also been able to help me navigate through this new challenge in my life by just being my best friend and always giving me a shoulder to laugh or cry on.”
“I never would have thought Abby would have to be going through this major trial in her life, especially the timing of it being during our last college softball season together,” said Booth. “At this point in her life, what she is experiencing is bigger than softball, and the most important thing is that she knows she is supported and loved by all of us and that we are her forever family.
“As her roommate and friend, that is what I am trying to do, with countless support rom the team, coaches, athletic trainers and family, as well as help her navigate everything, from doctor appointments and medications to her physical and mental well-being. She is one of the strongest people I have ever met, and it’s truly powerful to see how she has been handling everything. I hope people can see her story and spread awareness for epilepsy.”
Rooming together over the four years has been a blessing in multiple other ways as well. Gagnon admits that during their freshman year, other than being on the softball team together they didn’t really hang out much outside of softball. Pairing up prior to their sophomore season would end up being one of the best choices they made at NNU.
“I would say there are a lot of really amazing parts about being roommates with Sid, but I think the best part above the rest is the fact that she can make me laugh easier, louder and longer than anyone else can,” said Gagnon.
“The best part about being roommates is, for one, all the laughs and memories we’ve been able to make, but also being able to learn life together,” added Booth. “I wouldn’t want to have gone through four years of living together with anyone else. What’s crazy is we’re pretty much exact opposite types of people but are able to learn from each other and become better people because of it.”
Booth and Gagnon each had different paths growing up that ultimately led them to campus. Gagnon grew up just miles down the road in Meridian but admits she didn’t have too many encounters with NNU prior to being recruited. Once the recruitment started by the Nighthawks’ coaches, though, it didn’t take long for her to move NNU towards the top of her college list.
“As I was being recruited, there were things that stood out to me about the softball program, and I could tell that there was something really special that was being formed,” said Gagnon. “I quickly realized that I wanted nothing more than to be a part of it. In addition, I also saw right away that here at NNU every person is more than just a number. All the professors care about each student on a personal level and they make it obvious that they want to see us grow and succeed in the time we spend here at NNU.”
Booth, meanwhile, grew up much farther away in Puyallup, Washington. She had a direct connection to NNU, though, as another player in the softball club organization that she grew up playing with was Nighthawks former All-American and current assistant coach Brittany Genuardi.
“I knew Britt as a great player and person and that she really enjoyed NNU, so that kept me interested initially,” said Booth. “As I was being recruited, I got to go on an official visit. Everyone was really welcoming, and the campus looked great. I liked the idea of having smaller class sizes and being able to get a deeper learning within those classes.”
Once on campus, they each realized that they had made a great decision. While there was a ton of success happening on the softball field, there were many things off the field that have supported the decision.
“I would be sure to make it known to a prospective student that NNU has an extremely amazing campus life and professors who truly care about them,” said Gagnon. “Every student is more than just a number here at NNU, and I feel as though each professor strives to get to know every student on a deep, personal level.
“Also, prior to attending NNU, I didn’t really grow up in the church setting, and I didn’t really have a lot of knowledge about the church either. During my time here, though, I have become much more comfortable now that I have been around them more often and am grateful for that.”
“My perception of NNU has changed over the years, mostly because of how I have changed as a person,” said Booth. “I am thankful to have attended a faith-based institution because I now have an education that had faith integrated into it.”
Though their time as students is drawing to a close, they have some unfinished business to take care of on the softball field. While they have helped lead NNU to the NCAA tournament in each of the past three seasons, they hope this year is the first time that they can advance out of the regional round and into super-regionals, and even the national championships round after that.
Currently, the Nighthawks are ranked second in the region, which would result in hosting the opening weekend of NCAA tournament play and could go a long way toward making that dream a reality.
Booth and Gagnon are so proud of what they have been able to accomplish and the legacy they hope to leave, and hope that the team’s success carries on for years to come.
“A legacy I want to leave at NNU is that striving to be great at what you do is important, but you need to make sure to embrace the learning curve of being a part of a team,” said Booth. “Not only should you be intentional with the details of hard work and your craft, but you should be intentional with the relationships and culture you are creating and cultivating.”
“I want to leave NNU with a legacy that encompasses a hard work ethic and always being intentional,” said Gagnon. “One of the best phrases I’ve heard while at NNU was when one of my teammates said the phrase ‘Be Intentional’ while we were in a meeting a few years ago. I specifically remember being in that meeting room and hearing that phrase for the first time and you could hear a pin drop. Right away, everyone was kind of like thinking, that is perfect.
“I also want to be able to make a positive impact on every single one of my teammates. I hope to inspire them, in even the slightest amount, to push themselves to accomplish a goal that they don’t think they can reach. In addition, I hope that I have been able to make a big enough impact on my teammates that they will be comfortable enough to call me when they need help in any situation or when they may simply just be in need of someone to talk to in the future.”
It is safe to say that Booth and Gagnon’s impact on NNU and the softball program will be felt for years to come, as well as the impact that NNU made on their lives will be something that they will cherish forever.
