"I hope this inspires others to follow their dreams"
(BROOKVILLE, Ind.) – A Franklin County senior is looking forward to competing in the Big 10 next year.
Brooke Stang signed her letter of intent to play softball at the University of Illinois earlier this week.
The Wildcat outfielder fell in love with the game of softball as a young girl and has played on the same travel team, called the Beverly Bandits, since she was 10-years-old.
When she was younger, the idea of playing division one softball seemed like a far-fetched goal for a girl from a small town.
However, she worked hard and has made it a reality.
“I hope people feel inspired by this and I hope that others take from this, especially young people, that anything is possible and that you should dream big,” Stang said.
Stang received quite a bit of interest from college programs, but the University of Illinois was a no-brainer.
“Once I got there, I knew this is where I wanted to be for college. Plus, the coaches are very welcoming and they will push me to become better,” she said.
Stang added, “It's also the perfect distance from home and the campus is beautiful!”
The senior says Franklin County Schools has prepared her well for her future.
Brooke has not only found success on the field but also the classroom. She is in National Honor Society and has a 4.3 GPA.
“I’ve went to Franklin County my whole life and academically it has pushed me to try my hardest,” she said. “And athletically, I’ve been given all the resources to become the player I am today.”
The daughter of Brent and Leslie Stang says she plans to become a dentist after college.
