Two DCHS Tigerettes, who graduated last month, put pen to paper Monday signing to play for the Roane State Community College Raiders softball team next spring.
Tigerette catcher Dani Meadows and center fielder Hannah Walker were joined by their parents, fellow high school players, and coaches for the signing at DCHS. Jessica Hackworth, Assistant Softball Coach represented Roane State.
Walker and Meadows said they fell in love with the school and softball program during a recent visit there.
“Dani and I went on a visit to Roane State on a workout type thing and fell in love with the girls, coaches, and the house they live in. The softball team all live in one house. We thought that was really cool. I knew when we went down there that’s what I wanted to do (go to Roane State),” said Walker.
“I fell in love with the program. I really love the coaches. They are actually a lot like Coach Danny Bond and Coach Danny Fish. I fell in love with the house, the school, and with all the girls. I think it is the best fit for me,” said Meadows.
“We are adding two great extraordinary student athletes and young ladies to our program who will help us reach that next level to get a championship this coming year and we are excited to have them join our program. They have very strong defensive and offensive strengths that will contribute to our success,” said Coach Hackworth.
“We are a junior college program located in Harriman, Tennessee. We play with a nationally recognized conference (Tennessee Community College Athletic Association) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). We have a lot of nationally ranked teams in our conference. We have a lot of student athletes that go Division I, Division II and NAIA. We help our student athletes reach their next level at four year school programs,” added Coach Hackworth.
The head coach of the Raiders is Sue Niemi.
“Dani was our catcher for three and a half years. Being behind the plate is like being a coach on the field pretty much. The catcher sees everything. Hannah played in the outfield for the last two years after being a role player for the first two years. Probably this year was her (Walker’s) best year of those four years. She really came on as an outfielder. Being a center fielder, she was kind of the coach of the outfield. My hats off to both of them not just for softball but for their academics and doing what’s right both on and off the field,” said Tigerette Coach Danny Bond.
The Tigerettes completed another successful season in May finishing 4th in the state in the TSSAA Class AA Softball Tournament with an overall season record of 35-6-1. It was their third consecutive state tournament appearance and eighth in program history.
(TOP PHOTO) SEATED: DCHS Tigerette Coach Danny Bond, Assistant Raider Coach for Roane State Community College Jessica Hackworth, Hannah Walker, Dani Meadows, and Assistant Tigerette Coaches Melissa Ruch and Danny Fish. STANDING: Misty and Scott Walker (Hannah’s parents), Pat and Tracie Meadows (Dani’s parents)
(BOTTOM PHOTO) SEATED: DCHS Tigerette Coach Danny Bond, Assistant Raider Coach for Roane State Community College Jessica Hackworth, Hannah Walker, Dani Meadows, and Assistant Tigerette Coaches Melissa Ruch and Danny Fish. STANDING: Tigerette players Joni Robinson, Myranda Bailiff, Kendal Taylor, Kayley Caplinger, Madison Whitehead, and Leslie Hembry.
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