Softball standout signs to play for Glenville State University

After being one of the first athletes to play softball for Green River High School, Madison Yoak will be continuing her softball career at Glenville State University. 

Yoak recently signed her letter of intent to become a Pioneer at the West Virginia school. 

"They have a really nice facility and just an amazing program," Yoak said of the college. "The girls were all super nice and the coaches are really good, the way they coach and just the way they are outside of practice." 

During her senior year in 2022, Yoak reached out to a number of colleges, but only a few got back to her, and it quickly became clear that Glenville was the most promising. She talked to the softball coach personally over the last year, and last month she got to visit in person to see the campus and meet the coaches and team members. 

Yoak is excited to experience softball at a different level, but she's also grateful for how her experience at GRHS made it all possible. 

"I think without playing at that level and without Blair as my coach, I don't think I would have been able to get where I am now," she said. "Because of Blair, because of the program that they're building, and just how amazing the opportunity is for everybody, it's giving me a chance to keep going."

During her first few years in high school, Yoak was one of many hoping for the establishment of a softball program. She remembers sitting in board meetings, hoping they would pass the decision and make it a reality. 

"When they did, we were all so excited," she said. 

In addition to her gratitude for her two years playing softball for the Lady Wolves, Yoak is also glad the program will give other girls the chance to follow her example in playing at a college level. 

Someone else who is excited Yoak is leading the way in this regard is the Lady Wolves' Head Softball Coach, Blair Aimone. 

"I'm super excited that she's decided to carry on her softball career," Aimone said of Yoak. "Not a lot of people have an opportunity to do that, so it's really great."

When it came to having Yoak as a member of Green River's first softball team, Aimone was thankful for how she helped the team through a rough inaugural season.

"It was good to have a leader like Madi to step up," Aimone said. 

Being a natural-born leader is also one of Yoak's strengths as a softball player, according to Aimone, as well as the fact that she is a team player who listens to her coaches and is willing to play anywhere she's asked to. 

"The asset that she brings to Glenville is great," Aimone said. "They got a gem there." 

Ultimately, though, Aimone's biggest hope for Yoak is that she enjoys playing softball since it's a game and it's supposed to be fun. 

"I just hope she takes all the opportunities that she's given and goes with it," Aimone said. "She's going to do some great things with her life, so I'm just excited to see where that leads."

As for Yoak, she enjoys playing softball, but also knows that the lessons it teaches extend to all of life. 

"Every single day you're learning something new, and not just on the field," she said. "Everything that you learn there you can also apply outside of softball."