Soddy-Daisy softball players Shonna Penney, from left, Breanna Britton and Cameren Swafford have signed college scholarships. Penney is going to Lee University, Britton to West Virginia State and Swafford to UT-Chattanooga.
photo by Contributed
Soddy-Daisy’s softball team started out with three college signees.
Then it was four, although one was a long-distance event.
Pretty soon the list will swell to five.
“This is huge for our program, school and community,” said Lady Trojans coach Travis Hale, who’s heading into his first year after succeeding Wes Skiles. “Signing before their senior seasons in high school takes a lot of pressure off them and they can concentrate, play the game and enjoy their senior years in a relaxing atmosphere.”
Three players – catcher Cameren Swafford, pitcher Shonna Penney and outfielder Breanna Britton – enjoyed a group signing party in the high school gym on Friday.
Penney is headed to Lee University, Britton to West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va., in the Charleston area, and Swafford has joined the UT-Chattanooga program.
Haley Woodcock, who transferred into Soddy-Daisy for her senior season, returned home to Kansas to sign a softball grant with Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. She can play the infield or outfield.
Finally, Aminah Woods is planning to sign with Tennessee Tech in the spring.
“Having my college decision behind me takes a lot of pressure off,” said Penney, one of the top pitchers in the Chattanooga area. “I’m glad I did it before my senior year so I can go into my last year at Soddy-Daisy and feel good about it. I still have a lot of hard work to do and I’m a little nervous because I want to show out and help my team this coming year.
“I don’t have to worry about the whole college thing, like who’s looking at me, who I’m considering. That’s done. I really can’t wait.”
Lee coaches have been clear about what they want Penney to do for the Lady Flames.
“I’ll be a PO,” she said. “Pitcher only.”
Penney said her choice of colleges came down to one school.
“Really, Lee was the only one showing real interest in me, so they became my top priority,” she said. “I love the campus. I went on my official visit last week and I’m just ready for it to be here. I really can’t wait.”
The Lady Flames compete in the Gulf South Conference.
A fortunate bit of networking helped Britton wind up at West Virginia State.
“Coach Hale’s daughter (Brooke) is a sophomore at WVS,” Britton said. “The coach (Kerri Blackwell) up there told coach Hale she was looking for a left-handed pitcher. Coach Hale said, ‘I’ve got one.’ She asked coach Hale if he could get me up there for a visit. So, I visited about a month ago and everything worked out.
“I had other (schools) looking at me and had some offers, but once I got to West Virginia State I knew it was home. I love the family atmosphere and academic programs. Plus, everyone up there is so close.”
Before heading to the “Mountain State,” Britton, a pitcher/outfielder, said the Lady Trojans have lofty goals for their senior season at Soddy-Daisy.
Like, extremely lofty.
“I would like to win a state championship, but I also want all the girls to see what life has to offer, whether it’s softball or just academics in college.”
West Virginia State is a NCAA Division II program and has competed in the Mountain East Conference since 2013.
Swafford, a highly respected catcher with the Lady Trojans, said if she had decided not to pursue playing college softball, she would have gone to UTK or Tennessee Tech and simply been a student because of those schools’ engineering programs.
“But, I’ve been wanted to play college softball since I was like 12 years old,” she said. “I started playing at age 5 and it was fun. At 12, it started getting competitive and my dad started talking about college, and he said it takes a lot of commitment. I said, ‘I’m ready for it.’ ”
When UT-Chattanooga coaches made the softball offer, it was a relatively easy decision for Swafford to join the Lady Mocs, who are members of the Southern Conference.
“I really wanted to play softball in college, so UTC was my only option,” she said. “I’m very excited. I can’t believe it’s only a year away from happening. It feels like only yesterday that I was a freshman coming to signing parties for our seniors. It’s crazy.”
There is no mistaking Swafford’s eagerness to begin her UT-Chattanooga career.
“I met all the girls during my official visit and they’re all awesome,” she said. “The coaches are great and my recruiting class is awesome. I’m super-excited to do it.”
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)