Featured Athlete /// Soſt ball, Eldon HS


Stronger Softball Stable


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Story by: Bryan Hudnell Photography by: Wendy Winters


The Eldon Lady Mustangs are bringing a much stronger gallop into the upcoming season. After going 1-24 in 2023 and 3-17 in 2024, Eldon softball broke    Now, the goal is to make sure that success was not a one-part act. 


zi Ward said. “That is the one thing that I want to accomplish before I graduate. I feel like we are going to come out strong because we all know what we are capable of.”           transformation has been especially meaningful.


Junior Bri Belton remembers entering high school with little con-


     proved, so did the experience of playing for Eldon. “My sophomore season was so fun and made it so much more enjoyable being around my teammates compared to my freshman season,” Belton said.


The team chemistry became a major part of last year's success.


Ward said she does not have one favorite memory from the season because the entire experience stood out.


84 /// September 2026


“I hope we can keep our heads down and prove to ourselves and our supporters that we have the ability to strive even with an under- classmen-dominant team,” Blankenship said.


The Lady Mustangs also know they cannot simply expect last year's success to carry over. They have to earn it again. “I think that I need to improve my mindset when something goes wrong and try my best to lift up my team and get out of rough times,” Belton said.


“The one thing I will remember from last season is the feeling of having a softball family,” Ward said. “We were just there to play our favorite sport and have a good time.”


That same chemistry will be important this season as Eldon re-  important roles. Sophomore Giana Blankenship believes the team's youth can be an advantage.


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