Lady Cougar Softball is underway and shortstop, Shannon Stapleton is looking forward to a great year. Stapleton has been in the softball program long enough to remember the change from slow pitch to fast pitch, which occured during her years in middle school. She is starting her fourth year on the high school varisty sofftball team.

During her freshman year at GCHS, Stapleton came onto the team a little late because of basketball season. She and another girl had to compete for the shortstop position and after several weeks of switching back and forth Stapleton earned the position.

The biggest challenge in the slow/fast pitch change for Stapleton was learning about hitting timing. The game became more of a challenge and her love of the sport deepened.

Stapleton completely skipped the t-ball level of softball, her mom started her one level up from t-ball as a child. Both Stapleton's parents, Steve and Brenda Stapleton, love softball. They have been huge sources of encouragment and support and Stapleton says they are the best coaches she's ever had.

That first year in softball Stapleton played half a position between the pitcher and shortstop. The team coaches thought she was too little to play a position by herself.

Today, Stapleton is one of the best players on the Lady Cougar team and her sights are set on college ball.

During camp last year Stapleton was sighted by University of Louisville coaches which prompted a call to Coach Skaggs. Stapleton will have the challenge of walking onto the team at the University of Louisville, but she was told if she was as good as Coach Skaggs said, the Lady Cards would be excited to have her.

Stapleton is excited about going to the University of Louisville because of it has a Division I softball ranking and a great nursing program. She plans to major in nursing and U of L has the best program, she says.

Stapleton had planned to be a psychologist first but her father, a paramedic, influenced her change of mind. He would talk about helping people and it seemed like something Shannon would like, but she wants to work in a children's hospital.

Family is important to Stapleton and she and her parents enjoy doing a lot of things together. Shannon and her parents are all certified scuba divers and they have enjoyed diving all over Kentucky and in some Florida locations.

Hanging out with friends fills some of Stapleton's time, as does her involvement with the Senior Committee at the high school. Stapleton also played one year of volleyball and two years of basketball.

One of Stapleton's concerns at the high school is keeping a good reputation. She is very aware of the many young kids that look up to her because of softball. She says, some people are always negative, it seems no matter what happens.

Stapleton also enjoys bungee jumping, but her favorite thing is softball and she is constantly playing the sport throughout the summer. As soon as fast pitch season is over Stapleton joins her summer, co-ed team for slow pitch. Her season runs about nine months long between high school and recreational ball.

The high school team started in November getting ready for the upcoming season. They have been hitting, running and weight training to prepare for the upcoming year.

The team was told it would be in their best interest to start early but it was their decision to get together and expend the extra effort. Stapleton knows many of her teammates have spent hours and hours on their skills and she is proud to be part of such a dedicated team.