Sensational Sophs: Saige McElwain
The BluePrint’s “Sensational Soph” of the month is Saige McElwain.
Saige is currently a BA softball player and swimmer. She has been playing softball since she was in third grade and swimming since last year.
During the off season, she spends a lot of time at the Northern Blair Rec Center and going to softball clinics to step up her game.
“Swimming and weight lifting help me prepare for softball because it makes me a lot stronger, and that helps a lot for my throws and swings,” said McElwain.
In her free time, Saige likes to hang out with friends, go shopping, knit, and get her nails done.
In her opinion, the best thing about swimming for Bellwood/Tyrone is messing with Coach Tom, her teammates, and it keeps her conditioned.
During the summer, Saige plays for The Lady Cardinals out of Ligonier Valley. She loves meeting new friends, especially through softball, as well as traveling.
“My favorite thing about Bellwood-Antis softball is that most of my friends play. We all play together as one. We push each other to our fullest, and it is overall a lot of fun,” Saige said.
As far as swimming goals go, Saige would like to place at least 4th in a meet five times this season. She would also like to letter, and have a good team season like last year.
Looking ahead to March, Saige is most excited about playing with the team again, bonding and being close, making fun of Caroline (Dead Penny), and the bus rides to and from games.
Her goals for the 2015 season are to win the District 6 championship, beat Phillipsburg and Bellfonte, get revenge on Bald Eagle, and to personally have a good hitting season, ending with an average above .300.
“I prefer softball over swimming because I have been playing since I was little, I’m better at softball, and I love everything about the game,” she said.
Saige’s greatest academic achievement is maintaining good grades and making honor roll this year.
Athletically, her greatest achievement is lettering, on varsity, as a freshman for softball in the 2014 season and placing 2nd at the World Series held in Ocean City, Maryland this past summer with the Razorbacks.
