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Calhoun High School's Anna Taylor Signs with Erskine College​


​Calhoun High School's Anna Taylor Signs with Erskine College. Anna Taylor (Class of 2019) was a verbal commit last spring with Coach Alleen Hawkins and the Erskine College softball team but officially signed today at a ceremony at the Calhoun Media - College and Career Center among friends, family, teachers, coaches and fellow athletes. Anna has been an outstanding 2B/OF for the ProStar Fastpitch Organization and played second base for the Calhoun Lady Jackets helping Calhoun accumulate a 26-10 record this past season in order to make it to the GHSA Elite 8 in the Class AAA state playoffs in Columbus. Throughout her high school career, she was a part of two state championship teams and one runner-up finish playing for the legendary Coach Diane Smith. Anna is in her third year with ProStar Fastpitch and has been a mainstay in the starting line-up. Anna was selected to participate in the Georgia Dugout Club's Senior All-State Game this past weekend. She was also named to the 6 AAA 2nd Team - All Region. Anna is the daughter of Joe and Michele Taylor and has a brother Joseph who is a college freshman. At Calhoun she has maintained a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the Senior Beta Club, serves as Treasurer for the CHS National Honor Society, and also serves as Secretary of the Senior Class Student Government. Anna attends Calhoun First Baptist Church and has volunteered at Calhoun Pre-K as part of the Teaching as a Profession pathway. At Erskine College Anna plans to major in Accounting. Erskine College is a member of Conference Carolinas. Coach Hawkins is a long time collegiate coach with success in multiple conferences but more importantly she is very successful at turning young ladies into strong women through the sport of softball. "I would like to thank my parents for supporting me in all of my endeavors. They have been my biggest fans no matter the activity and they have taught me the concepts of dedication, loyalty and hard work. They have also stressed the importance of family and faith in God. Softball is important to me but it is a game to me and it does not define the person I am or the future I have -- it is a part of my journey," states Anna. "It seems like I have played and loved softball my whole life but it was only in the last couple of years that I really believed and knew I might have the opportunity in college. I have attended camps and visited several campuses but I really fell in love with the Erskine College experience. It was the opportunity to play for Coach Hawkins, the campus itself, and the people I met on my unofficial visit that made me know this is where I wanted to be. I would like to thank all of the coaches I have played for but in particular Coach Smith and the Calhoun staff and Coach Chattin and the ProStar staff. Coach Chattin has been able to help me grow mentally and physically as a player and as a person. I am blessed to have teachers and coaches who have believed in me," Anna shared. "Erskine is getting one of the toughest competitors that has ever played at Calhoun High School. Anna is a fierce team leader who is well respected by all her teammates. She truly loves the game and there is no doubt she will find success at the next level. We will miss her competitiveness, positive attitude and fun she brought to our team," stated Diane Ralston, CHS Softball Coach. "The ProStar family and myself are very excited for Anna as she takes this next step on her journey into adulthood. She is one of the most balanced young ladies in our program and I contribute that to her parents. She works extremely hard and is 100 percent into our practices and games but she also has a strong interest in family, academics and God. Anna came to us from the strong Calhoun High School program and we immediately put high expectations on her. She came to us as an outstanding athlete but I would like to think that she has polished her skills and improved her mental game as a part of ProStar Fastpitch. 
I am extremely proud of Anna the softball player —Anna the student —but most importantly Anna the person. Her future is unlimited and today is just another day on her journey. But it’s a significant day to reflect on her accomplishments and to let the realization of the next step of her journey to take hold of her future actions. It is truly a beginning and not the end. ProStar and myself have found Anna’s family to be a blessing and I look forward not only to the coming year but to following Anna as her growth continues., “Chattin shared. “I have known Erskine's Coach Hawkins since the mid-80s when she recruited one of my players and I had the pleasure to be her assistant at UGA. I think she is a perfect fit for Anna. She is a strong coach fundamentally but she has a true heart for her players. I expect Anna to continue to blossom as a player and a person under her tutelage," stated ProStar Coach Steve Chattin.

Spring 2018 Tournament Photos