(January 1, 2015) – Briar Woods High School junior Meghan Bradshaw has made an early verbal commitment to continue her softball career at the University of Virginia beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
“I have been working towards this goal for most of my life, and I am so blessed that I am going to be given the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love after high school,” the 5-foot-7 Bradshaw said. “Now is the time to work even harder and keep progressing towards my goals.”
Bradshaw – who plans on becoming a nurse one day – noted academics were one of just the many reasons she decided to continue her life in Charlottesville.
“The University of Virginia has been my dream school since I was a kid. I love the academics, athletics, student body, the atmosphere on grounds and everything in between,” said Bradshaw who was born in Reston. “Coach Miller and the rest of the coaching staff are phenomenal. I know that they are going to push the team and me to be the greatest we can be.”
UVA head coach Blake Miller took over the Division I Cavaliers program for the 2014 season leading them to an 8-43 record struggling just a season after an appearance in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.
“I hope to bring a positive attitude and competitiveness to the team,” said Bradshaw who will outfield for the Cavaliers. “I want to do everything that I can to help the team win.”
Bradshaw will also try her best to help the Briar Woods Falcons get back to – and hopefully win – the state championship in 2015. In 2014, Bradshaw – along with Purdue commit Alexa Binckes, Christopher Newport commit Kayla Brennan and Methodist commit Danielle Brendes – led the Falcons to the VHSL 5A state championship game against Great Bridge High School, falling to the reigning VHSL AAA state champion, 3-1, in eight innings.
“I am so excited for softball season this year. Our team is a family, and I always look forward to this time of year because I know I get to spend every day with my closest friends,” Bradshaw said. “Most of us have been playing together since house league and spend a lot of time together outside of the spring softball season. There are a lot of talented softball players in our program and ultimately we want to finish what we started last year and win a state championship. First, we have to take it one game at a time but I have a good feeling about this year.”
Playing softball since she was nine years old, Bradshaw – who plays club softball for Glory Gold 18U Willemssen – added softball has allowed her to make some of her best friends.
“It has instilled in me a strong work ethic, taught me cooperation and helped shape who I am as a person,” Bradshaw said. “I have had many amazing experiences and met some of my closet friends through softball. I hope one day to give back to the game that has given me so much.”
Owen Gotimer is a graduate of Heritage High School in Leesburg and is currently in his senior year at Syracuse University. Follow LoCoSports on Twitter (@LoCoSports) for up-to-date news and scores from around Loudoun County.
