RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Carley Funk, a talented outfielder and third-baseman for Leo High School out of Leo, Indiana, responded to our discussion post on Twitter a few weeks ago, sharing her personal experience with reaching out to the softball community in a time of need.
Upon reading her story, it became clear that Carley was a player we needed to spotlight, as she has such an incredible outlook on the sport that should serve as an inspiration for fellow athletes.
A member of the class of 2025, Carley has yet to commit to a collegiate program, but has received offers and is now narrowing down her decision.
These opportunities are well-deserved, as Carley has been working toward this goal for as long as she can remember, having first been introduced to softball at the age of two. With two sisters in the sport—one of which played collegiate softball at West Virginia State University, Ally Funk—and a brother in baseball, she constantly was around the fields and practices, and got in the game as soon as she was allowed to.
For years, Carley competed on a local club team called The Leo Pride, but once the group was discontinued, she joined her present squad, the Gators Premier 07 Shappell.
Currently a junior at Leo Jr. Sr. High School, she competes for the varsity squad—an extremely well-renowned program in Indiana. For the last 10 years, the team has a record of 228-39 and continues to grow with the help of Carley in the outfield.
“Carley is a hard worker who loves the game of softball,” shared Coach Ben Shappell, who also leads the high school team. “As her coach, you always know you will get maximum effort every play. She has one of the strongest arms I’ve ever coached. Carley is also a great teammate and always cheers for and encourages her team.”
Recently, Carley was nominated for the North-South game, which is a significant achievement given the level of competition. Off the field, she is an active member in the National Honor Society, which is a reflection of her commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.
Longtime fans of Notre Dame, Carley and her parents, Mike and Kimberly Funk, attended a football game between the Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers. After a victory, the fans began to rush the field, and Kimberly was shoved over the stands by accident, breaking her ankle. After the initial diagnosis, it was revealed that she also had several blood clots in her lungs, which was scary news for the Funk family.
Of the Christian faith, Carley began to pray for her mother’s health, and decided to reach out to the softball community via Twitter on December 9, 2022 for additional thoughts and prayers.
The response she received from the softball community was greatly appreciated by the athlete, and she felt the power of prayer support her mother’s recovery process. Now in good health, Carley shares the story as a means to demonstrate the power of community.
Follow along for an inside look at rising star Carley Funk’s approach to the game, favorite softball memories, heroes in the sport, and so much more!
— Regan Weekly/Extra Inning Softball
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