|
|
Greenville
senior softball pitcher Ally Russell signed her letter of
intent to play softball at
Wright State next season. Pictured are her
dad, Bill (left) mother Teri (right) and her Brother Braden and sister
Tessa in the back. CNO Photo by George Starks
|
|
Russell signs
to Wright State University
Lady Wave senior happy with decision
By George Starks
GREENVILLE- Greenville senior Ally Russell signed her letter of intent
Wednesday and will be heading to Fairborn next fall to play softball
for Wright State University.
"I'm very excited," said Russell. "At first, I really didn't thing
signing was a big deal but I got my papers in the mail Monday and I was
excited that it was really happening. I was excited because it's close
to home and my family will be able to come and see me."
With several schools looking at her, four were D-I schools.
"I had Presbyterian Collage in South Carolina, the University of
Dayton, IUFW (Indiana University Ft. Wayne) and Wright State. Wright
State is close and they have my major (Athletic Training). Most schools
won't let you be a athletic trainer and play sports just because it's
hard to work with your schedule. You have a lot of clinical's to go to
but they work with you real well and I like the coach there."
Russell is a 4.0 student at Greenville and Newland couldn't have been
more happy for his star pitcher.
"She works hard year round at her game," said head coach Jerrod
Newland. "This has become a yearly even over the years. The amount of
time, hours and miles that has been spent by them (Ally and her dad
Bill) working toward her goal is amazing. I feel she is one of the best
players to ever play here and I think she is just now hitting her peak.
It's a great day for the Russell family and a great day for Lady Wave
Softball. I'm really excited for her and this season. One hundred and
one days before it all starts. We have some unfinished business and we
were humbled last year. I'm just thrilled she's staying close to home.
I think she will play right away. I don't think they have nine bats
better that hers."
With Russell and Newland both excited about the next level, Russell's
mother Teri was just as excited.
"I'm super excited for her," said Teri. "She's worked really hard since
she was eight and this is a really good fit for her at Wright State. It
will be good for her and the team. I know she will contribute and the
first time I see her play, I'm going to be nervous for her but I'm
really proud of her. As a family, we were just estatic and this is a
great opportunity for her."
Before signing to Wright State, Russell had verbally committed to
Presbyterian then changed her mind when the softball coach there (Kama
Tucker) resigned and moved on. That opened the door for Russell to go
to Wright State."
With her senior year at Greenville yet to come, Russell has one goal in
mind.
Going to Akron!
"The season last year wasn't what we wanted it to be," said the Wave
senior. "This year, we are all pushing real hard to finish off the
season better than we did last year. Obviously, we want to win the GWOC
but getting to Akron is the number one goal. I've never been to state
and that is my huge goal."
The Lady Wave Softball program is riding an unprecedented 11 straight
25 plus win seasons. The program has won seven of the past nine
district championships and over the last 11 years has been ranked in
the State AP Coaches Poll top 10 in 65 of the last 66 Polls.
Newland will enter his 13th season as the LWSB head coach and the
winingest coach in Greenville High School sports history. Newland
currently has a 316-63 record (.883 wining percentage).
Greenville's first scrimmage is set for March 24 at home with Kenton
Ridge, Brookville and Tinora
|
|
|
|
