The Shadow
Covington High School senior Gabriyl Marshall has been playing softball since she was seven years old, and currently is still playing for the Lady Cougars who have a chance to make some noise this season.
A former volleyball player, the current left fielder also used to perform dancing and clogging with Patsy’s Dance Studio and was a competitive gymnast for two years with Southern Elite in Ronceverte, WV.
Marshall is thankful for her time in the gymnastics world as the skills needed to perform in that sport has helped her in more ways than one on the softball field.
“Gymnastics helped me physically in multiple ways. I’ve learned proper training techniques to help build stamina, strength, and flexibility which helps me a lot in games,” Marshall said.
Thankful for all those strengths, Marshall loves the challenge of softball and that may be why she favored that sport over everything else over the years.
“I’ve played multiple sports since I was a little girl, but none of them top how long I’ve played softball. I love the challenge that softball gives me, like when I’m at bat trying to hit the pitches thrown to me and the balls hit to me in the outfield,” Marshall said with a smile.
Understanding how important it is to be a good teammate and to represent the community off the field in a positive light, Marshall credits her siblings that did it all before her, for that guidance.
“Growing up I had four sisters that played different sports, including softball, so they all helped me on and off of the field,” Marshall said.
“They’ve shown me multiple ways on how to be a good teammate and player, no matter if you win or lose,” she included.
Being a senior in the last existing year of Covington High School, Marhsall would like to go out on top, if possible.
“This year I would love to see our team work hard and push ourselves to accomplish what we did last year and drive ourselves to go to states,” Marshall concluded.
After graduation, Marshall will go to college and become a diagnostic medical sonographer with a focus on echocardiography.
