Whaley Signs with UAH

By: Lee Ramsey
lee@seymourherald.com
Seymour standout pitcher Celeste Whaley has signed a letter-of-intent to play softball for the University of Alabama – Huntsville.
The ALL-IMAC pitcher’s record was 17-5 on the mound with stingy ERA of just 1.09. She led the team with 9 shutouts, 202 strikeouts and just 40 walks. She was the ‘go-to’ pitcher when the chips were all on the table.
Her specialty is pitching and that is what she will play exclusively at UAH. At the college level it’s rare to swap positions or hit as a pitcher and that’s what Whaley likes.
“I’ve always wanted to be a pitcher and play college ball. All the hard work has paid off,” said Whaley. “I went to pitching lessons two times a week and always worked really hard.
“I’ve always tried to give 110 percent effort in everything I do.”
She also talked about UAH and why she decided to go there.
“I fell in love with the school when I went there. Everything was perfect,” she said.
Whaley also talked about her coach Les Stuedeman
“When I visited I was really nervous,” she said. “Coach Stuedeman is shy too but she really opens up when she gets to know you and that helped me feel comfortable.”
Whaley will major in Elementary Education and hopes to teach and coach later on.
Whaley’s high school softball coach at Seymour Dana Carter discussed her signing, “It’s another accomplishment for our program, another huge signing.”
“Celeste is a hard one to lose,” Carter added. “She started pitching her freshman year and had to pitch the entire season herself due to the injury to Chaney Graham.
“That’s a big task especially for a freshman. Celeste is a very hard worker. She knows what it takes to help the team, whatever it takes to win. She never complains.
“She will assume a leadership role this season being a senior and being so established in the program.”
Celeste has definitely made her mark here as a teammate, captain and role model.
Whaley’s Mother, Sherry was obviously very proud.
“Celeste started softball when she was 8 years old. Her Dad and I tried to do everything we could to help get her to this point,” said Sherry who is a teacher at Seymour high school. “I would ask her; do you want to play college ball. Her answer was always yes so we pushed her to do what we thought it would take for her to get there.
“She played travel ball for three years and worked out a lot. We are very proud of her. It’s bitter sweet; working toward a goal and now fulfilling it but now she will be gone off to college.”