This week’s Jennie Stuart Orthopdedic – Michael Venable State Farm Player of the Week is Gracie Harned.
Gracie is a senior at Christian County High School and a member of the Lady Colonel Softball team.
She has been a member of the softball team since the 7th grade and in her senior season she has helped her team to a 9-7 record with a .520 batting average while leading in hits, RBI, and home runs.
Not only has Harned been impressive at the plate this season but she has also been quite the reliable pitcher for her team as well.
In 46 innings pitched, she has recorded 70 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a 3.20 ERA.
For Gracie, softball has been a part of her life since a young age and she credits her uncle for helping spark her participation in athletics.
Harned also explained that she has exclusively played softball ever since she started and that the competition that the sport brings is why she has continued to play.
In preparation of her senior season, outside of the physicals of the game, Gracie wanted to work on her mind and mental toughness for the season.
That mental work that she has done has rubbed off on her teammates and when asked about this season so far, Gracie explained how positive the team’s mindset has been this season.
Recently this past Tuesday, Harned showed up for her team both at the plate and in the circle in a 4-3 win against Webster Co.
In games like that where she’s depended on in both areas, Gracie says she enjoys being in those situations and that having a supportive team helps her.
When asked about her goals for this season, Gracie once again didn’t have an answer based on statistics or anything to do with her performance on the field.
As a senior this season, Harned also gave her take on how she has tried to be a leader this season.
Coach Sheri Hancock of the Lady Colonel Softball team gave her thoughts on what she has seen from Gracie throughout the years she has coached her.
Lastly, with graduation just around the corner, Gracie was asked how she wants to be remembered as a Lady Colonel Student Athlete.