Macy Nordquist’s parents sat to her side.
Her Heritage Academy teammates gathered behind her.
And then with a smile Tuesday afternoon, Nordquist signed a letter-of-intent to attend school and play softball at the Mississippi University for Women.
It will be like going home for Nordquist, a shortstop who helped Heritage Academy to a 9-7 record this past fall. Heritage Academy is in Columbus. The W is in Columbus. The comfort zone is already there, and the Owls will be the ones to take benefit.
“I’ve played with a couple of them,” Nordquist said of the current team at The W.
This year’s team included three New Hope High School grads from Columbus: sophomores Anna Kate O’Bryant and Meredith Woolbright, and freshman Megan James. The Owls finished with a 22-9 record. John Newman is head coach.
Nordquist was one of the team captains for the Patriots this past season, which produced the first winning softball record at Heritage in a few years.
“She has a good work ethic, a positive player,” said Justin Flake, her coach at Heritage.
Nordquist has played for the varsity team at Heritage since she was a seventh grader.
The small college feel was perfect for Nordquist, who plans to enter the nursing program at MUW.
“It’s kind of a small college, but still a university,” she said.
Nordquist is entering The W at a time when the school is transitioning into NCAA Division III status. By the time she is a senior, the Owls may be a full member in NCAA D-III. By the time she is a junior, the Owls will be eligible to play for D-III regional and national championships.
Paul Bowker is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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