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Haleigh Luce shows
off a special congratulations “cake” for her college signing event… a
plateful of cupcakes covered
by a ball and glove. With her, left to right, are her father
Allen Luce, “Grandma Pat,” and mom Tracey.
Luce signs
letter of intent
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE – Haleigh Luce, senior GHS Lady Wave outfielder, signed her
letter of intent March 19 to play softball for Capital University in
the 2014-15 school year. Located in Bexley (near Columbus) and founded
in 1830, Capital is one of the oldest universities in Ohio and has a
Top 25 NCAA D-3 program.
“I’m excited,” Luce said. “The campus is super pretty and it’s close to
home.” Noting she “hit it off” with the coaches and players, she added
she really felt welcome. Although Luce hasn’t yet decided on a major
she said Capital offered a quality education in addition to a
successful softball program.
A prepared press release said Luce has started every game for
Greenville’s Lady Wave since her sophomore season. Last spring she
batted .389 and was First Team All-GWOC North, First Team
All-Conference and a member of the Southwest District Underclass
All-Star Team.
“I’m proud of Haleigh and the effort she has put forth as a quality
student-athlete,” said Coach Jerrod Newland. He noted she is a great
leader and role model for the younger kids, “and will lead us back to
Akron this season.”
In Luce’s senior class’s three seasons, the team is 79-18. Newland is
in his 12th year in the program and with a 290-59 record is the
winningest coach in Greenville City Schools’ history.
Luce said she thought Capital’s interest in her was her hitting. She
hoped to play in her freshman year but said she’d “really have to work
hard” to get there with nine seniors in Coach Nan Payne’s Crusaders
program.
Assistant Coach Laura Swigart noted a special connection with Luce and
the other seniors. “When I started at the junior high, they were eighth
graders,” she said. My first year teaching she (Luce) was my student.
My first year coaching basketball, she was one of my players… my first
year coaching softball, she was one of my players.”
Luce still had her senior year as a Lady Wave outfielder to go; she was
confident how it was going to turn out… “We’re going to Akron this
year,” she said, grinning.
Published courtesy
of The Early Bird
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