Ankeny Centennial softball player Mackenzie James didn’t have to wait any longer to make her college plans.
The junior outfielder verbally committed on Friday to play for Simpson College, beginning in the fall of 2023.
“The decision was pretty easy for me,” said James. “Simpson was the first school I visited and instantly I felt at home. The softball players all came up to talk to me and ask questions and they were all so sweet to me. The softball coach, Brent Matthias, was awesome! Whenever I would watch their practice, he really pushed the girls and wanted them to succeed. He also has a lot of energy which I love!”
James batted .339 with one triple, eight doubles and 20 RBIs as a sophomore, when she helped Centennial to a 33-10 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A. She led the Jaguars with 32 runs scored and received all-conference honorable mention.
James said she looked at about eight schools before making her decision.
“None of (the others) gave me that ‘at home’ feeling like Simpson did,” James said. “People always say, ‘You will know when the fit is right for you’, and right as I stepped on the Simpson campus I was like, ‘Yep, this is where I’m going.’ And I just knew instantly.”
Everything about Simpson–both on and off the field–appealed to James.
“For each school I visited, I would make a pros and cons list of things I liked and disliked, but Simpson had no cons,” she said. “One of the first things I noticed when I went there was that everyone was so nice. I remember on my very first visit I was having my campus tour, and a random girl just stopped and started talking to me wondering where I was from and asking about myself. Everyone you see there would say hi to me and smile.
“I also love how small the school is. Everything is so close together which I love! Simpson was just the perfect fit for me, and I can’t see myself going to college anywhere else!” she added.
