River View’s Williamson signs with Kent State Tuscarawas
Kelsie Williamson, center, signed her letter of intent to continue her softball career at Kent State Tuscarawas. She is pictured with her dad and mom, Jason and Beth Williamson. Josie Sellers | Beacon
WARSAW – River View High School senior Kelsie Williamson is excited for the chance to stay close to home and still play softball in college.
She signed her letter of intent to play ball at Kent State Tuscarawas on March 12 in the library at River View while surrounded by family and friends.
“It feels different, but exciting,” Williamson said.
She has played softball since she was 8-years-old.
“I love it,” Williamson said. “It’s the only sport I play. I’m going to miss my teammates. We’ve been together since freshman year.”
Her favorite memory from high school softball is going to districts last year and she is very thankful for all the help of her coaches at River View and Chris and Nikole Werntz who coached her travel ball team the Honey Badgers.
“She’s been a leader since freshman year,” said Bonnie Infante, River View’s head coach. “She plays centerfield, but can play anywhere out there and helps the younger ones out. There is going to be a hole out there next year.”
Kent State Tuscarawas Head Coach Chuck Peach also was present at Williamson’s signing.
“I like how she controls and patrols the outfield,” he said about Williamson. “She can run down about anything. We don’t have a lot of speed right now, but we have power hitters. It will be nice to have some speed out there when they come up to bat.”
This is the third year for softball at Kent State Tuscarawas.
“Our sports are picking up,” Peach said. “People need to know we have full college programs, not club teams.”
Her mom and dad, Beth and Jason Williamson, are excited to see their daughter move on with Kent State Tuscarawas.
“She’s worked for this and it’s nice she can stay close to home,” Jason said. “She didn’t want to have to stay on campus.”
Beth agreed with him.
“We are proud of her,” Beth said. “I’ve enjoyed watching her grow and get more confident. She didn’t want to go to a big university. She wanted to commute and had her mind set on that. This is just the icing on the cake.”
Category: High School, Sports
