Senior softball star Shayna Gamm is taking her talents to Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois to pursue her life-long love for softball. Gamm has been on the CHS girls varsity softball team all four years of her high school career and is ready to hang up her CHS jersey and put on a Lake Land College jersey for a fresh start on a new team.

“I am excited and cannot wait to approach new obstacles after playing softball for 13 years,” said Gamm.

Playing softball since the age of four, Gamm’s passion for this sport has only continued to develop over the course of her life. Within these four years, she has doubled her running speed and has improved her throw-down time to second base to meet college standards. She finds inspiration in two-time softball Olympic gold medalist Crystl Bustos for pursuing her passion and not giving up after high school.

“Crystl Bustos inspires me because it does not mater if you go to a Division 1 school or a junior college, as long as you are still playing you will go somewhere in life,” said Gamm.

Through her high school softball career, Gamm has grown more mature and has learned what takes to be not only a captain but also a leader. Being a fourth generation softball star, softball runs in her blood. Gamm is carrying out not only her legacy, but her three elder sisters’ as well.

“The field is my second home and the only place I can take my mind off things,” said Gamm. “When things are going wrong during school or at home, I step on the field and nothing else matters. It is an amazing mental game that brings you closer to your teammates. I have dedicated the beginning of my life to this beautiful game and I will always be passionate about it.”

Although she is pursuing her passion of playing college ball, she is faced with a difficult transition to life in Illinois away from her close-knit family. Nevertheless, she is eager to start a new chapter in her life.