This coming fall, there is a new athlete committed to D1 collegiate athletics here at OH. Jaelynn Anthony, a junior who plays a major role in the Oswego Softball program, has announced her commitment to Purdue University for softball.
“I grew up playing other sports, like gymnastics, and only started playing softball when I was 10 or 11,” said Anthony, but that doesn’t subtract from the growing enjoyment she has from softball now.
“She’s always being goofy but maintaining that focus in the game,” said Coach Paul Netzel, “she is one of the girls who want to be a big fish in a big pond, not a big fish in a little pond. They are always looking for more.”
Anthony continues to impress her teammates as well.
“She has lots of personality on the field, and is definitely very vocal as well,” said senior Kiyah Chavez, who committed to Iowa last year.
It takes a lot of work to become a D1 athlete, a concept Anthony is not unfamiliar with.
“It takes a ton of hard work, and lots of time, even when I’m tired I just need to stay focused,” said Anthony.
“Jaelynn is incredibly deserving of this opportunity, it’s not a very high number of kids who get to do this” Said Chavez about collegiate-level athletics. Chavez is a senior attending the University of Iowa, a Division 1 school for softball, and a familiar friend to Anthony.
The college recruiting process can be very tedious and long for many athletes, and it was a process for Anthony as well,
“With my travel team, we sent lots of emails to colleges that I was interested in, and made sure I was reaching out to camps so they know who I am,” Anthony said. Anthony and Chavez formed an impressive bond during their time on the team. Like for many sports, the bonds you form on the field are some of the most important.
“The bond between a catcher and pitcher is unlike any other bond on the field, you talk so much about the game strategically, you understand how each other’s minds work,” said Chavez. “I have watched her become more comfortable and confident on the field, she’s always had talent and now has found a strong understanding of how to be the best athlete on the field” Chavez states, “she’s become a leader, she’s taken on a great leadership role over the past years”
On the OH softball team dynamic as a whole Netzel mentions “This team has rarely ever had any type of drama, the girls are always hard working and trying to have fun”.
All three of them can agree that the team always tries to have a great experience on and off the field. “The chemistry we have as a team is my favorite part, we are able to have fun and compete at a high level at the same time,” said Chavez.
“I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the softball experience the whole time I’ve been playing,” said Anthony, who has enjoyed her overall great experience of Oswego softball as well as her joy for the sport.
“She has grown so much, and I’m excited to see what else she accomplishes in her last year,” said Netzel.
With one last season of high school softball, Anthony will play on the Varsity OH softball team this spring.
Hello! I'm Lindsay Arand, a first year staff reporter and sports editor for the publication. I am a senior this year. At OHS I am apart of OATS, as well as track and girls soccer. I'm excited to collaborate and meet new people! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
