Local Sports
JUCO softball: Nine graduate in special ceremony
Staff reportsWallace State conducted a special graduation ceremony Wednesday afternoon for nine sophomore softball players who were playing for a national title in Utah during the school’s original commencement date in May.
“You were missed last month,” said Wallace State president Dr. Vicki Hawsey. “From the bottom of my heart, we felt your absence in the midst of the ceremonies. We knew you were in Utah fighting hard for another national title, but you were truly missed.”
The nine who received their associate degrees on Wednesday were Haley Allcorn, Caitlyn Bonham, Kaylea Brewer, Sallie Beth Burch, Natalie Harrison, Allison Reynolds, Ashley Smith, Sallie Van Kirk and Caitlin Williams.
The class helped Wallace State evolve into a softball power in the Alabama Community College Conference and National Junior College Athletic Association ranks.
They leave Wallace State with a 2008 NJCAA national championship, a 2009 national runner-up finish, back-to-back ACCC titles and a 131-18 record.
As a team, Wallace State also finished the academic year with a 3.72 grade point average. They earned top billing in the nation last year with a 3.61 GPA.
“I don’t know what more you can say about these girls,” said Lions coach Jayne Clem. “They have set the bar really high at Wallace State.
“Nobody thought we could get back to the national tournament after losing 11 sophomores, but our girls believed in themselves. They really stepped up to the plate.”
Eight of the nine graduates plan to continue their careers at a four-year school.
Van Kirk will transfer to UAB, Burch to Jacksonville State, Reynolds to Birmingham-Southern, Williams and Harrison to UNA, Bonham to West Alabama, Brewer to Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn., and Ashley Smith to Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
“I envy the programs that get these ladies because I know what they have done for us,” said assistant coach Tracy Grindrod.
Added Hawsey: “These girls have worked hard and achieved a tremendous amount of success. I appreciate you being excellent ambassadors of Wallace State.”
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