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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: MEGAN DAVIES
Harvard-bound 2B Megan Davies recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Virginia Glory National-Willemssen, experiment with training, Alliance Nationals, Easton Rawlings Elite Fall Showcase, Texas Bombers Gold, environmental policy, Harvard, Billie Jean King, Pitbull, “Stranger Things” and photography.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Megan Davies
Hometown: Ashburn, VA
High School: Independence High
Club Team: Virginia Glory 18U National-Willemssen
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: 2B
Nickname: Meg
Twitter: @mdavies2023
Honors: 1st Team All-Region (Junior); 1st Team All-District (Junior and Sophomore); LoCoSports All-LoCo Team Honorable Mention; High School Team Captain (Sophomore-now); Swimming 2nd Team All-State (Freshman and Sophomore)
Travel Ball Highlights/Fall Stats: .479 AVG, .541 OBP, 1.353 OPS, .812 SLG, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs and 1.000 SB%.
High School Highlights/Stats: .378 AVG, .466 OBP, 1.243 OPS, .778 SLG, 3 HRs, 17 RBIs and 1.000 SB%.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? A family is the way I describe my team and the VA Glory organization as a whole. I joined the summer of 2019 and the past four years have been filled with nothing but joy, compassion and fun with coaches and teammates, who share a deep love for the game and one another. I’m constantly surrounded by people who show their want to improve themselves and those around them, which has transformed my life and helped me better myself as a player, student and person. My joy for the game has only intensified while on this team and I am so grateful to be a part of the VA Glory organization.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? I have always been really interested in the training aspect of sports both on and off the field. This year, I’m taking a class through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in school and I have truly learned the importance of training like an athlete and implementing movements into training programs that simulate game-like scenarios. I highly recommend all athletes to research and experiment with different training styles to find out what works best for them. This especially helped me offensively, trying out new things until I finally created my best swing.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this summer? This past summer my team and I competed in Alliance Nationals and it was very exciting. The highly-competitive atmosphere and NCAA championship structure made every game count, which was something I really enjoyed. We finished in the top 17 teams and I can’t wait to go back again this summer.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? My favorite fall tournament this year was the Easton Rawlings Elite Fall Showcase in Illinois. We played some really great teams and I got a lot closer with my new teammates. Playing under the lights was pretty fun, too.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? At Alliance Nationals this past summer, we played Texas Bombers 18U Gold twice, and each time it was a very challenging game. They are a team full of elite players and coaches able to make quick adjustments mid-game and compete in every aspect.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? My dream is to go into environmental policy and work with businesses, individuals, communities and lawmakers to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment. I’ve always loved nature and the outdoors, and through constantly being surrounded by it I’ve realized my desire to protect the Earth and all it provides. My goal is to help others realize their want, and ultimate need, to do the same.
I’m so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Harvard! Thank you to everyone who has helped me throughout this journey. Thank you to @HarvardSB for this incredible opportunity. Go crimson! @VGWillemssen @SuzyWillemssen @kevinbednoski pic.twitter.com/sp3te2zerM
— Megan Davies (@mdavies2023) December 16, 2022
Can you talk about why you chose to commit to Harvard? I chose Harvard because it truly feels like home. While talking with the coaches and building relationships with them through the recruiting process, I felt their genuinity along with their passion and dedication they had for the Harvard Softball program, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. The strong culture they have created and continue to develop is like no other, and when I went to camp and stepped on campus it felt very natural. I am also very dedicated to my academics, and pursuing an education at Harvard allows me to continue my love for learning with a world-class education. I am so excited to continue both my academic and athletic career at Harvard!
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Billie Jean King. All of her hard work and dedication in her tennis career and fight for equality in sports truly inspires me to do what I can to help and encourage others on their road to greatness. I and so many others would not be able to do what we love without her activism, and I hope to be like her.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Fireball” by Pitbull because it has such a good vibe and can make anyone hype before a game.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “Stranger Things” because the suspense keeps you invested.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? My secret skill is photography. I’m Editor in Chief of the Yearbook staff at my school and, having been a part of it for the past three years, it’s introduced me to photography and how to capture memorable moments.
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