Aycock's Madison Walton headed to Meredith College

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 4, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Madison Walton firmly believes God bestowed his grace upon her to attend Charles B. Aycock and play for one of the state's most successful softball programs, which would help prepare her for college.

Walton is ready for that next step.

The senior infielder signed to play softball next season at Meredith College. The small Division III campus located in the heart of Raleigh also appealed to Walton.

"I didn't know much about Meredith, so I had to do a lot of research and then meet with the team," Walton said. "Everything just felt right. I prayed about it. Within minutes of my prayer, signs just started popping up.

"I started seeing the word 'Meredith' on Twitter and stuff like that. It was crazy. I just knew it. It sounds ridiculous, but's absolutely true."

A USA South Conference member, Meredith compiled a 15-19 overall record and ended up 9-15 against conference opposition. The Avenging Angels are expected to graduate several infielders, which could open a spot for Walton.

Walton expects to rely on her travel-ball experience to help her adjust to the speed of the collegiate game. She added that she must show more patience in the batter's box.

"(The speed) will challenge me and I always love a challenge," said Walton, who will room with former travel-ball teammate Julia Cerasi of Apex. "I think it will improve my skills ... think I will become a better player, more determined to catch up to the faster pace. I struggle most with hitting because I get inside my head and think about it too much. (It) is the least best part of my game."

But the modest shortstop doesn't have a set plan.

Walton will step into any available position and use her best asset -- a positive attitude -- to help her team win. It's an attribute that has helped Walton develop her leadership skills, which will be important this season for the Golden Falcons.

The program underwent a change in the offseason when LaVon Matthews was hired as the new head coach after Emily Burke left for a teaching position at Wayne School of Engineering. Matthews is the sixth different coach to take over the program since 2000.

Aycock fashioned a 14-9 record that included a runner-up finish in Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference and semifinal-round appearance in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs last spring. The Golden Falcons came within a base hit of advancing to the eastern regional championship series for the third time since 2012.

Matthews has the luxury of returning all starters off of that team.

And Walton has the responsibility of becoming a stronger leader and motivating her teammates to pursue their dream of playing college softball if that's what they want to do once they graduate.

"Attending Aycock has been wonderful," said Walton. "I have been blessed to be a varsity player all four years, and I take great pride and joy (in that). I hate to leave, but it makes me feel good that I was able to contribute to the team's success.

"I believe God placed me at Aycock because he thought there's where I needed to go."

And He's provided the next stepping stone, too.