After years of travel tournaments, grueling practices, and navigating the recruiting process, Kinkaid junior Haley Wainright has officially committed to Sewanee: The University of the South.

For Wainright, it’s the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to the sport she’s loved since childhood.

“What made me choose Sewanee was just the way I felt touring the campus when one of the senior softball players took us around showing us each building,” Wainright said. “After I had spent time with the coaches and the players, I really felt at home. Seeing such a beautiful campus with amazing resources just sealed the deal for me.”

Wainright said she hopes to major in pre-law or criminal justice, so balancing schoolwork with softball will be crucial.

“To do either, especially at such a highly rated academic college, I would need a good athletic and academic time balance at whatever college I decided to commit to,” Wainright said. “Players currently on the team said the softball coaches are very flexible with academic schedules and willing to compromise.”

Wainright said the team’s energy also impressed her.

“Everyone on the team was so welcoming, and the environment between them was a great one,” she said. “You could feel it even just attending the camp. It made me excited to be part of that group.”

Wainright also reflected on how the recruiting process shaped her as a player and a person.

“The grind of travel teams, tournaments, and practices really taught me discipline and resilience,” she said. “You learn to stay focused, handle setbacks, and keep pushing yourself even when it gets tough. I think all of that prepared me not just for college softball, but for life in general.”

She added that having supportive coaches, teammates, and family along the way made the journey more meaningful.

“It’s been a team effort in every sense. I wouldn’t be here without all the people who helped me along the way,” she said.