ELKHART, IN – Elkhart Central High School graduates Shaytia Messick and Leah Gibson recently signed their National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Letters of Intent to play softball at Ancilla College.
Gibson, a middle infielder, received the Three Year Varsity award for softball and also received a letter as a manager for the football team. This season she also earned the Blue Award. Gibson hit .304 with a .411 slugging percentage this season.
When asked about what made Ancilla College the right choice for her, Gibson replied, “I wanted to stay closer to home and be able to continue to play softball.”
Messick, a catcher and outfielder, earned two varsity letters in softball and eight overall (six more in cheerleading). She was named MVP as a junior, Mental Attitude award winner this season, and was Most Improved her junior year in cheerleading. Messick hit .231 this season with a .302 on base percentage.
“It’s small, close to home, and I’ll be able to play softball,” began Messick as she described her opportunity at Ancilla. “I will also be able to get help with my education more than I would at a larger school.”
“Adding Shaytia and Leah to our roster is tremendous,” said Ancilla coach Scott Reese. “They are great young ladies who bring a wealth of experience from a solid Blue Blazer program. I am extremely excited that they have decided to join the Ancilla College softball family.”
Shaytia is the daughter of Sadie Messick of Elkhart and is planning on pursuing a degree in Exercise Science, while Leah, the daughter of Beth Smeltzer of Bristol, is in pursuit of her Nursing degree.
