BREMEN, Ala. – In this interview, I talked to Cold Springs senior Kortnie Williams about her favorite memories she made playing softball for the Eagles, what it was like playing with some great teammates and everything she learned from that experience.
“My favorite memory was probably when we couldn’t get our pitching machine to work right, so we just walked around and talked to each other,” Williams said. “It was the best experience I’ve ever had. I’ve grown so close to the girls on the team; they are my family now, especially since my little sister, Kaydance Williams, was on varsity with me this year. I learned how to be a better person and leader. Being a senior isn’t just about being the oldest on the team. It’s about showing your underclassmen how to be the bigger person and how to be a great leader.”
Kortnie played under several coaches during her playing career and soaked up as much as she could from them. She will miss being an Eagle next season and talked about a couple of her favorite games that she was a part of.
“I love all my coaches, and as the years went on, we got closer and closer. They are my second family. They showed me how to be a leader, be the bigger person, and how to push my abilities on and off the field,” she said. “I will remember and miss the overall energy of the fans and how excited they got over a really good play and hit. My favorite games were when we played a doubleheader against Addison and Dora. My teammates had the best energy during those games. We were all cheering and just having fun. I think those games were probably the best that I played all season.”
She shared her favorite high school memory from her time at Cold Springs, and why being an Eagle was so special to her.
“My favorite high school memory was our football pep rallies. Everyone got so excited and very competitive during the games that we played,” she said. “What made Cold Springs a special place to go to were the teachers. They make you feel like you can tell them anything. I’ve definitely gotten closer to some of my teachers over the years. I will remember the football pep rallies and the Friday night football games. They were definitely the best part of my high school experience. I’ll miss the underclassmen friends I made over the past two years.”
Kortnie gave some advice to the students that will be starting high school in August, and she was in more than a handful of clubs at Cold Springs and talked about that experience.
“Make friends with the right people. They need to be friends that will encourage and believe in you. Always be a student first. School should always first,” she said. “I was a member of the SGA for two years, NHS for three years, the Math Team for three years, FCCLA for two years, yearbook for one year, and NSLS through Wallace State Community College for two years. Being in those clubs taught me how to be a great leader, and how to serve the community.”
She tried to be a great role model for a lot of younger people and was given some advice by coach Paige Adams that helped her out a lot during her career.
“I knew that I had to be the bigger person, and I knew that I had to be a leader, because I was the oldest in the classroom and on the field,” she said. “Coach Adams’ advice to me was to be a dog. She would always say that to us, and it stuck with me. It taught me that I needed to work hard for the things that I want and need to accomplish. I want people to remember how funny I am with the people I’m close to, and how kind I am to others. I try to encourage and bring the best out of others around me.”
Kortnie talked about some role models that she looked up to and gave some advice to those people that want to be where she’s at right now. She played alongside her sister, Kaydance, for one year and had a great time sharing the field with her.
“In softball, my role models were my coaches and the seniors that came before me. I had always looked up to them and wanted to be just like them. In school, my role models were my teachers. They always wanted what was best for me, and I hope that in the future, I can be just as encouraging as they are,” she said. “My advice to them is to push yourself to be the best version of yourself. Always be a leader in every situation. Listen to what others have to say. Encourage others to be a better person, and always have fun in everything that you do.”
She added,
“It was an amazing experience. She made this season the best softball season I’ve ever had. She pushed me to be a better athlete, and she wanted me to be a better player. I wanted to be the bigger person for her. I love getting to watch her play softball; she is a very talented athlete. I love her with all my heart, and it’s so sad to think that we won’t play on the same team anymore.”
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
