Vina standout Quinn to continue softball career at Crowley’s Ridge College
Last Friday, on August 7, a standout student-athlete and recent graduate of Vina High School, Braxtyn Quinn, had the opportunity to sign and commit to continuing her athletic career at the collegiate level.
A little over two months after receiving her diploma from VHS, Quinn was back on campus for a signing ceremony as she officially announced her decision to play softball for the Crowley’s Ridge College Pioneers.
“It means the world to me to be able to further my athletic career because softball has been my passion since I first started playing,” Quinn said.
“I’ve always known that I wanted to further my softball career, it was just a long process that did not happen until everything finally fell in place,” she added. “My parents and coaches definitely pushed me the hardest to complete my goals because they could see my potential when I felt like I wouldn’t be able to make it to the collegiate level.
“I would love to thank my parents, sister, friends, family, and all of my coaches and travel ball and school ball teammates for believing in me and helping me through this journey.”
In her softball career with the Lady Red Devils, Quinn was twice a Franklin Free Press All-Franklin County First Team infielder. Her junior season saw her hit for a remarkable .520 average. It was followed up by a senior campaign in which she hit .411 with 27 RBI and had 20 stolen bases. In her last three seasons at Vina combined, Quinn struck out just eight times.
For Vina head coach Randy Barnes, the numbers Quinn put up during her career were simply evidence after the fact: He knew the quality of player he had years ago when she first came to Vina before her freshman year.
“Braxtyn is a great player. When I got her in the ninth grade I knew then that she had the talent to play in college if that was something she wanted to pursue,” Barnes said. “This has been a long time coming for her and I’m super proud of her.
“I told her college coach when I spoke to him that he was getting a consistent player that can pretty much do anything. You can ask her to play second, third, short; you could put her in center field or you could tell her to hindcatch, and she’s going to be good at it,” he added. “She’s just, overall, one of the best softball players I’ve had the luxury of coaching.”
And Quinn’s determination to improve her game, Barnes added, is second-to-none.
“She’s very committed, never misses practice and was always wanting to stay over to throw or take BP (batting practice),” he said.
“She didn’t make many errors, but you can bet if she did make one she’d have me staying over to help her fix it. If anything needed to be fixed, she’d have her coaches, her teammates stay over to try to fix it,” Barnes added. “It was the same way with her batting. Even this past year she would consider herself to be in a slump—I didn’t consider her to be in a slump—but she got to where she would want to take an extra hundred cuts.
“Her drive and willingness to get better every day is incredible.”
But besides her versatility, skill and work ethic, what also made Quinn special is her commitment to her team and teammates and her leadership ability.
“She’s meant a lot not just to me but to the whole team. I think between her 10th-, 11th-, 12th-grade years we won over 50 games, and I think some of that had to do with her leadership and helping turn our softball program around,” he said.
“Her teammates helped drive her to the level of success she’s had, but Braxtyn was a great teammate, too,” he added. “After she left (the signing ceremony) there were two or three of her teammates who were crying. They’re just going to miss her. She’s been a big part of our athletic programs for the last three or four years, so it’s hard to see her go.”
The Lady Red Devils’ head coach told the FFP it was because of all of these qualities—ability, commitment, leadership, determination—that Quinn will continue to be successful in the future.
On the softball diamond, Quinn intends to carry that same work ethic and attitude she held as a Lady Red Devil to her new home with the Pioneers.
“One of my biggest strengths is that I am hardworking and determined. I always give my best effort, even when things get hard. I am also coachable and willing to learn from my coaches and teammates,” she said. “I believe my positive attitude, dedication, and ability to work well with others will help me be successful at the college level. I know college softball will challenge me, but I am ready to work hard, improve, and do whatever it takes to help my team.”
As a young person, Quinn carries a similar attitude and confidence.
A couple of days after the signing ceremony, Quinn, who plans to major in nursing, was on her way to Crowley’s Ridge, which is located in Paragould, Arkansas, to get ready for the start of the fall semester. As the crow flies, the private college is about 185 miles from Vina, a nearly four-hour drive by car.
Relocating that far from family and friends can be daunting, but Quinn is taking it in stride. She said she’s excited about the move and the opportunities it presents.
“I think being farther from home will definitely be an adjustment, but I’m excited for it. I think it will help me grow up, become more independent, and learn how to do things on my own,” she said. “I’ll miss my family and the people I’m used to being around, but I think moving to Arkansas will be a really good experience for me. I’m excited to meet new people, make new memories, and start this new chapter of my life.”