The Shadow
In the beginning, Covington’s Christina ‘Shiner’ Terrell did not grace a baseball or a softball field.
She did run up and down the soccer field, however, but it did not take her long to figure out it may be time to do something else that was more up to her speed.
“I quickly realized it wasn’t for me,” Terrell said of soccer with a grin.
Terrell played recreational softball and then gradually started travel softball, and it was on the travel team where everything just kind of clicked for her about what she wanted to do athletically.
“That’s where I found my love for the game. I have been playing this sport, starting with tee-ball, since I was 5 years old,” she said.
A career that was destined for Alleghany High School became the Cougars’ prize, when Terrell transferred to Covington in her eighth-grade year from Alleghany. She played JV basketball that year for the Lady Cougars and then played varsity every year after. Softball has treated her the same way.
Now, Terrell, a junior who likes to spend time with her little sister and help out with the farm animals outdoors, faces a new challenge this season. She suffered a serious injury on the basketball court back in December of 2022, and that misfortune is keeping her in the dugout this softball season.
“I tore my ACL and meniscus back in December playing basketball against Pocahontas County. It has been really tough sitting and watching the team have fun and not being able to include myself in some of it. That being said, I still love cheering my girls on,” Terrell exclaimed.
Terrell, whose name is Christina, goes by the nickname ‘Shiner,’ and the reason why she is called that makes perfect sense.
“My very first year playing softball, my best friend’s dad was my recreational coach. He hit me a ball and it rolled up my arm and gave me a black eye. That’s how I got the nickname ‘Shiner’,” Terrell said.
Terrell is in a unique position this year. This season will be her last as a Covington Cougar, as she will be a part of the consolidation this fall. With the Covington students all switching schools to Alleghany, they will remain Cougars, but the switch will be a challenge for everyone. For Terrell, the toughest part of the change will come in the classroom.
“I will definitely miss all my teachers and coaches. Yes, some teachers will move to the new school. I just don’t think it would be the same without everyone there,” Terrell stated.
However, the switch may provide new opportunities for everyone involved. It is just the unknown factor of the change that is looming over the students and staff currently, but Terrell’s attitude is positive.
“I’m excited,” Terrell said.
“There’s a possibility of more opportunities for CHS students, such as dual enrollment, and more clubs,” she added.
But before she moves on to chase those opportunities, Terrell is still excited about her current Cougars’ softball team. The team has some fresh talent and could make some noise in the postseason if they continue to improve week-by-week.
“We have some new girls on the team, so we’re learning to work together. We are already doing well, but I think once we come together and create a bond, we’ll become unstoppable,” Terrell concluded.
Still a year away from big college decisions, Terrell, as of now, is planning to go into health care and/or become a veterinarian, but she is still undecided where that learning will take place.
Fans can find Terrell cheering loud from the dugout each game, as she continues to rehab her injury and come back stronger than ever.
