It’s no secret that high school varsity sports are a big commitment. Not only are they extremely competitive, but also they take a lot of time, a sense of leadership, and responsibility. These qualities and more define Abby Yuan (‘25), captain of the Skyline Women’s Varsity Softball team.
Yuan’s teammates, especially the underclassmen, look up to the leadership she brings to the competitive atmosphere. “With her four years of experience she knows how to run practice and stay on top of things,” says teammate Emerson Nalepa (‘28). “She’s really dedicated to the team.”
Yuan played three varsity sports this year: volleyball, basketball, and now, softball. Her dedication to her softball team is evident in the way her coach describes her assistance to the team’s success this season. “Leadership is not always about talking and giving instruction to others. Quite frequently, the unspoken actions can be more potent than the spoken words.” says Coach Kevin Hurley, “Whenever we, as coaches, give [Yuan] feedback on a part of her game that she can improve on, she accepts that instruction enthusiastically.”
During a recent game against Huron, Yuan walked on a passed ball. She quickly dropped her bat and ran to first base. Since the catcher wasn’t paying attention, she could steal second on the same pitch. ”Once back in the dugout after scoring moments later, I instructed her to tell the team what had just occurred,” said Hurley, “This was a perfect example of leading by example. She made a heads-up play and then provided insight into why it happened to those new to the team.”
Varsity sports are very dependent on the strong leadership skills of senior players. The program gives them experience to greatly help their team as they progress through the season. “As a younger player, she showed promise and passion, but over the years, she has developed into a confident leader and consistent performer,” says Athletic Director Delsie Sissoko. “Abby is a fierce competitor and demonstrates the kind of leadership that makes a lasting impact on a program. She embodies the values we strive to instill in all our student-athletes.”
As Yuan prepares for her freshman year of college at Penn State, she’s ready for a change in scenery as she wants to shift her focus to her academics. “I play 3rd base and I’ve been playing since I was 10,” says Yuan. “Now, I’m going to Penn State next year but no, I don’t plan on playing in college unless I’m playing for a rec team because it’s a big time commitment.”
As she finishes up her last year of Skyline sports, she leaves upcoming varsity players with this message of insight for their time on Women’s Varsity sports here at Skyline.
“I think upcoming varsity players should just have fun and enjoy their time, even though it’s competitive since it’s a varsity sport. But just because it’s competitive doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the experiences that come with it.”
