PROSPERITY — Ashlyn Stanley, Mid-Carolina High School senior, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Columbia College.
Stanley, a 17-year-old outfielder, has been playing softball since she was four years old.
“Softball has always been my dream, I’ve always dreamed of going to college to play softball,” Stanley said.
Stanley chose to sign with Columbia College because of how well everyone treated her on campus. Stanley’s other option before ultimately choosing Columbia College was Winston-Salem.
While at Columbia College, Stanley said that she would like to major in Criminal Justice.
“I’ve always wanted to be a forensic scientist, I always found that very interesting,” she said.
As a student-athlete it can sometimes be challenging to balance school and sports, according to Stanley.
“Sometimes it’s challenging, but I always find time to study and I just work my hardest,” she said. “It takes passion, motivation and I do it for my coach that passed away, Gayle Green.”
Stanley’s parents Julie and Tony Stanley were more than happy to see their daughter commit to Columbia College.
“It was always her dream, and to see her succeed and reach her dream I’m so proud,” said Julie Stanley.
When it came to choosing a college, Tony Stanley said his wife and he liked the small classroom settings that Columbia College had to offer.
“We liked the small classroom setting and the way they really look after their students and make sure they get an education first,” he said. “When she went to Columbia College, with the setting that they had and the way people responded to her she said ‘Dad I know that I fit in there.’”
Stanley’s coaches, Lisa Traylor and Erica Graham are confident that Ashlyn Stanley will succeed at Columbia College.
“Ashlyn is little in stature, but she is big in her attitude, enthusiasm and her work ethic. She’s always put forth 110% effort, wanting to learn everything she can to get to the next level and she’s done a good job of doing that,” Traylor said.
Graham has only coached Stanley for two years, but said that Stanley is one of the hardest working individuals on the team.
“She had her goals and she knew exactly what she wanted to do and now she has achieved that,” Graham said.
Traylor said as Stanley moves to this next step in her career she will be a benefit to Columbia College’s softball program.
“She is fast and she can get from point A to point B real quick and she will be a great outfielder for them, she’s got a pretty confident bat and so she will be able to get on base and help them out in that way,” she said.
