On November 8, Gracie Wilson signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her softball career as a Division I athlete at the University of Maryland (UMD). 

Wilson began playing softball in elementary school and has played for Linganore’s varsity team since her freshman year. She also has played for elite club teams such as Maryland Express, and more recently, Frederick Heartbreakers 18U Gold National. Wilson feels that these teams have prepared her well for college and how the atmosphere will feel at UMD. 

“We play the highest level competition in the country, which exposes us to what we will see in college,” said Wilson.

Maryland coaches Montgomery and Garris invited Wilson to a softball camp at UMD after watching her play at a previous tournament in June. After attending the camp, Coach Montgomery offered her a position on the UMD softball team. Wilson felt that Maryland was the school for her as soon as she went to visit.

“When I went to Maryland I knew it was the one,” said Wilson. “The academic resources there are amazing and everyone is looking out for you. It just felt like home when I went.” 

Academics and athletics can be difficult to balance when beginning college. UMD has so many resources to offer to their student athletes, so Wilson is not worried about handling both throughout each school year. 

Head softball coach Andrea Poffinberger immediately saw Wilson’s athleticism shine through during her first year on Linganore’s Varsity team. Poffinberger describes Wilson as a great teammate who contributes to the team in all aspects of the game. 

“She is just a great teammate and overall competitor which makes her the whole package. She is a Division I athlete and that did not happen without hard work,” said Poffinberger. 

Poffinberger has no doubt that Wilson will do great things on the field and in the classroom at UMD. 

Wilson’s parents pushed her to continue softball at the college level. They knew she was good enough to pursue her athletic career at UMD and because of this, Wilson learned to believe in herself and her capabilities. 

Her parents have also encouraged her to do what felt right for her and they expressed that they would have supported her no matter the decision she ended up making. 

“She has worked so hard over the years and given so much time to a sport that she loves. We just wanted her to see the benefits of all of her hard work and acknowledge her athletic abilities.  These college coaches saw something in her and she should be proud of that,” said Gracie’s mother Jennifer Wilson.