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Tuesday afternoon at Neosho High School, there was a sight that you won’t often see.
Crowder College athletic director Millie Gilion was donning an NEO A&M t-shirt and a huge smile.
But fear not Roughrider faithful, she had a good reason.
Tuesday, in front of an exceptionally large crowd of friends, family and well-wishers, Neosho High School senior Ashley Gilion signed a national letter of intent to play softball at NEO A&M.
The younger Gilion gave an abundance of reasons why NEO was the right place for her.
“I really liked the coaches and when I went on my visit I got along and bonded really well with the girls who were there,” Ashley said. “I am going to get to play in the middle infield and that’s what I really wanted to play. And when they were recruiting me the coach said ‘you are my type of player, you’re quick and athletic and we really want you here.’ And it was just really a good feeling to be genuinely wanted. That made the decision really easy.”
Like any high school senior, Ashley is excited about the prospect of college life aside from softball.
“I am excited to get to try new things,” Ashley said. “It will be neat to take classes I want to take instead of classes the school says that I have to take. That will be nice.”
Now the biggest challenge that lies ahead for Ashley is just finishing the rest of her final year of high school.
“Yeah, this makes it hard,” Ashley said with a laugh. “It’s like, ‘I’ve already gotten what I worked for so why not sleep in?’ No, I’m just kidding, I will keep my grades up.”
Gilion will at least have basketball to occupy her thoughts for the rest of the year. She is the team’s starting point guard and leading scorer.
“Once basketball ends, we will hit softball hard,” Ashley said.
Neosho softball coach Melissa Clark also sang the praises of her departing shortstop.
“They are getting a competitor,” Clark said of the Lady Norse’s new middle infielder. “I have had an opportunity to coach her since her freshman year and over the four years watching her grow and understand the game has been great. She’s got a great head on her shoulders both athletically and academically and she is always going to give her best effort in everything that she does.”
Gilion was named academic all-state as a sophomore and junior and is expected to make the list a third time later this year.
“Ashley is dedicated, she’s a leader and she is passionate about everything that she does,” Clark said.
Tuesday afternoon at Neosho High School, there was a sight that you won’t often see.
Crowder College athletic director Millie Gilion was donning an NEO A&M t-shirt and a huge smile.
But fear not Roughrider faithful, she had a good reason.
Tuesday, in front of an exceptionally large crowd of friends, family and well-wishers, Neosho High School senior Ashley Gilion signed a national letter of intent to play softball at NEO A&M.
The younger Gilion gave an abundance of reasons why NEO was the right place for her.
“I really liked the coaches and when I went on my visit I got along and bonded really well with the girls who were there,” Ashley said. “I am going to get to play in the middle infield and that’s what I really wanted to play. And when they were recruiting me the coach said ‘you are my type of player, you’re quick and athletic and we really want you here.’ And it was just really a good feeling to be genuinely wanted. That made the decision really easy.”
Like any high school senior, Ashley is excited about the prospect of college life aside from softball.
“I am excited to get to try new things,” Ashley said. “It will be neat to take classes I want to take instead of classes the school says that I have to take. That will be nice.”
Now the biggest challenge that lies ahead for Ashley is just finishing the rest of her final year of high school.
“Yeah, this makes it hard,” Ashley said with a laugh. “It’s like, ‘I’ve already gotten what I worked for so why not sleep in?’ No, I’m just kidding, I will keep my grades up.”
Gilion will at least have basketball to occupy her thoughts for the rest of the year. She is the team’s starting point guard and leading scorer.
“Once basketball ends, we will hit softball hard,” Ashley said.
Neosho softball coach Melissa Clark also sang the praises of her departing shortstop.
“They are getting a competitor,” Clark said of the Lady Norse’s new middle infielder. “I have had an opportunity to coach her since her freshman year and over the four years watching her grow and understand the game has been great. She’s got a great head on her shoulders both athletically and academically and she is always going to give her best effort in everything that she does.”
Gilion was named academic all-state as a sophomore and junior and is expected to make the list a third time later this year.
“Ashley is dedicated, she’s a leader and she is passionate about everything that she does,” Clark said.
