Carolyn O'Neal '16 Recruiting Profile

Softball has been an important part of my life since I was very little. It has always been a passion of mine. Once I stepped on the field, even though it was at a young age, I loved the feeling of being a winner and a champion. I knew right away that softball was something I would never give up on.

I am thankful that I have had great coaches that taught me it doesn't matter how good of a player you are, if you don't have a positive attitude, a big motor, and intense focus, you won't reach your potential. I plan to not only carry these qualities through my softball career but through the rest of my life because I know these are the necessities to succeed. I love to compete, and I love to win. I have found no better outlet in my life to satisfy these desires than playing softball. It is a huge part of who I am as a person.

I am blessed that I have been a part of a travel team that has really become a family.  We have been together for a long time and have had great success, winning a USSSA World Series, two NSA state championships, three USSSA state runner ups and an ASA National Qualifier just to name a few.

I also have been blessed to be born into a family of athletes. My grandpa, my father and several uncles, aunts and cousins were fortunate to receive college scholarships. A number of my cousins played college softball, including one, Taylor Smith, won an NCAA national championship.  Watching and learning from them taught me the work ethic required for success and also inspires me to be my best.

So I am looking for my dream school…a place that will be like a family.  That program, made up of like-minded players and coaches with a team first attitude who are willing to work harder than all others, inspiring each other to greatness, will become my new family at the collegiate level. Once I find my dream school and become a part of it, no one will work harder to ensure its success and make sure that our family becomes the dream school of many more players in the future.