CLINTON — New Hope softball’s Kensley Woolbright was the first softball player in Class 5A to receive the Mississippi High School Activities Association Miss Softball award, handed out on Tuesday morning in Clinton.
“Being recognized for my athletic abilities is one thing, but to know that I am leaving an impact on younger generations and representing my community well means that much more,” Woolbright said.
Woolbright just finished up her senior season with the Trojans, hitting .463 with an on-base percentage of nearly .550 on the year.
She and New Hope saw a second round exit in the Class 5A playoffs, but the multi-sport athlete was still able to accomplish one of the best all-around seasons in New Hope history.
“Being named Miss Softball for 5A has probably been one of the biggest honors I could’ve received throughout my time at New Hope,” Woolbright said. “To have even been in the running and talked about for an award like that is an honor in itself, but to have actually been chosen out of all of 5A in the state just truly leaves me speechless.”
She also made her presence felt on the mound where she threw 39 innings with a strike percentage nearly 69 percent.
The award recognized the best players across the state, not just based on on-field performance, but including other factors like sportsmanship, integrity and off-the-field successes.
“Kensley is every coach’s dream,” New Hope head coach Casey Finch Halford said during Tuesday’s ceremony. “She is so much more than a talented athlete. She’s a born servant-leader in athletics, academics, her community, the elementary, service clubs and organizations and her church and youth group.”
The Miss Softball awards were given to one player from each high school classification in Mississippi, so New Hope will look to repeat the feat next season.
Woolbright will be headed up Highway 45 to Itawamba Community College in Fulton, where she received a scholarship to play volleyball. She also has an offer there to play softball during her time there.
“My time as a Lady Trojan has only helped shape me into that human being,” Woolbright said. “Without it I wouldn’t be half the person I am. The memories, friendships, and people Lady Trojan softball has given me is unlike anything else and I feel so grateful to have been a part of a program like this one.”
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