Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Image Courtesy of Madison Smith
Madison Smith, softball player for Meek High School, recently committed to Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Alabama. Though she has played third base and been a catcher for Meek, she will be playing the catcher position for Chattahoochee Valley.
Madison’s recruitment journey began with recruiter Freddie Kirby. “He sent out my information to a lot of schools and then they reached out to me. Chattahoochee Valley offered me a scholarship through email, but I wanted to go up there and visit to make sure I would like it,” says Madison.
The visit was just what Madison needed to seal the deal, and she decided to commit to the school because ‘it felt like home.’ She plans to get her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, specifically welding, and says she is looking forward to branching out, experiencing new things, and, most importantly, just playing some ball.
“I’m glad to get a little bit away from my hometown, enjoy new things, and make some new friends,” she says.
She says that her family, coaches, and teammates have pushed and inspired her to work hard, and she specifically wants to thank her dad, Shaun Smith, coaches Mike Ragsdale and Jesse Woods, and former teammate Marlee Mosely.
Madison’s message to others is this: “No matter where you come from, no matter how small of a place, if you set your mind to your dreams, it’ll pay off one day.” WL
