Tecumseh High School senior softball player Haley Mansell has spent most of her career patrolling the outfield, but this year she is embracing a new challenge for the Lady Savages. “This year has looked a little different for me, I have pretty much only played outfield my whole life, but with both club and school ball having spots they needed filled I have worked a lot in the infield,” Mansell said. “Outfield is definitely my strength, I would say that my arm is the best asset to the outfield, but I’m always looking to improve my angles on hard balls and making ‘wow’ plays.”
As Tecumseh enters a new season, Mansell is focused as much on perspective and culture as she is on wins and statistics. “This year we have a lot of young girls, so with that being said my message to the underclassmen that I had to learn as I got older is to remember that they are more than just a softball player, and their self-worth is not determined by the outcome of the game, their errors, their successes, or their performance,” she said. “My message to my fellow seniors is to just go out and have fun, it’s our last year for some of us to play together and make it a memorable experience, by working hard, having fun, and being the best versions of ourselves we can possibly be.”
She believes this Tecumseh group is built for surprises and ready to embrace the underdog role. “This team is capable of lots of things, I think we will make it much further than people are expecting of us. We are all for a big underdog story,” Mansell said. “For Tecumseh to reach our goals like making it to state, it is going to take discipline, resilience, effort, and just hard work. When everyone on the field puts their best foot forward, it can carry us a long way.”
Mansell is quick to spotlight her teammates, especially those she thinks are poised for breakout seasons. “The teammate that will definitely shock everyone this season is Jacee Townsend, Jacee is our ace pitcher, and I personally have seen lots of growth in her this past year. I know she is going to show strength and be dominant in the circle this season,” she said. “An underclassman to watch is going to be Kreighton Rogers. Kreighton is a big utility player, she is strong in the outfield, and behind the plate. I can’t wait to watch her progress.”
As she closes out her Tecumseh career, Mansell hopes her legacy reaches beyond stat sheets and highlight plays. “Obviously, everyone wants to be remembered for being a good athlete, and while that is also the goal, more importantly I want to be remembered for my attitude, work ethic, strength, and leadership to the people around me.”
