Milestones are something every athlete strives to accomplish. Ending their college career strong, Muhlenberg seniors Kistry Shelby and Meghan Olsen are leaving their mark on the college and their respective sports, tennis and softball.
Kristy Selby, a veteran first baseman and pitcher on the Muhlenberg softball squad is proud of the accomplishment she made, but was not pushing for it. “It’s really not about the personal achievements and milestones, but it definitely is rewarding to see that your hard work has paid off. I’m proud of myself and my fellow seniors for getting their 100th hit, but I know any of us would give it up in a heartbeat to make the conference tournament.”
The softball team currently stands at 18-16, and with only a few games left for the season, Selby looks to soak up the last moments of the season and enjoy every second of it. “When our careers come to an end, the team success is so much more important than our personal success. That’s what we will remember, how far we make it in our senior season. We want to finish off strong, make the tournament and set the stage for future Muhlenberg softball teams to come.”
Selby appreciates the strong connections that her and her teammates have formed over the years playing together.
For Selby and her 100th hit, it is something she will never forget. “I’m from Maryland, and my dad took off of work and drove three hours just to come and see me get my 100th hit. I gave the game ball to my dad, because everything I do I couldn’t do without my parents,” Selby said.
Not only does such an accomplishment have an impact on the one reaching the mark, but it could have a tremendous impact on the young and fresh members of the team.
“These accomplishments inspire the younger team members to keep up the hard work, and see that the long hours and sacrifices are worth it. When your teammates see you accomplish something, I hope it shows them that they can do it also, and lets them see what they are capable of themselves. We have a strong group of players and I believe that every single one of them, given the opportunity, can be successful and accomplish these things.”
For graduating senior and tennis star Meghan Olsen, she achieved her milestone of her 100th match at home against Bryn Mawr.
“I am extremely grateful to have reached this milestone and it is truly an accomplishment of mine that I will treasure. It has been a roller coaster with the Muhlenberg tennis program, but I am proud to say I have stuck through it all and never let any of it affect my role and position as a member of this team,” Olsen commented.
This milestone came to Olsen as a surprise as she had no idea until afterwards that she had reached the 100 match mark.
“I did not find out until the article was made after our match. I think this milestone is very exciting and I hope to see some of my teammates reach this same milestone during their final years at Muhlenberg.”
Accompanying Selby on the 100 hits list is Allyson Sweeney ‘19, who hit the mark with the line drive shot into right field in the first of the two meetings with Haverford.
All three highly skilled seniors are ending their final season’s on a high note and leaving Muhlenberg’s athletic program proud with an achievement they and their families can cherish forever.
