Ankeny first baseman Gillian Overturf has decided to stay close to home.
The senior has verbally committed to play softball for Grand View University. She picked the Vikings over Luther, Coe and Hope College in Holland, Mich.
“I’m really excited to play for Grand View,” Overturf said. “It really wasn’t a hard choice for me. All the other schools I looked at were amazing and had little things that were special to them, but Grand View really just felt like home.”
Overturf was named to the CIML Central Conference second team after helping the Hawkettes to a 19-11 record last season. She batted .415 with two home runs and 21 RBIs.
Overturf will be joining a Grand View program that is headed by coach Lou A. Yacinich. He has coached the Vikings for nearly two decades.
“The whole atmosphere at Grand View is super, super positive, and everyone there seems so supportive of each other,” Overturf said. “The softball team seems like one big family, and coach Yacinich is so helpful and I can tell he really genuinely cares about not only the team but the individual.”
Overturf said she plans to become a nurse.
“The nursing program is fantastic as well, and I feel like being at Grand View will help me be successful in everything I do,” she said.
