-Daryell Smith
Ashland City native Chloe Winters was born with sports in her blood.
Her father, Robert, played football for Cheatham Central, mother Alicia played basketball in high school, sister Kayla Beth played volleyball, and her grandfather played basketball for Lipscomb.
Winters began playing softball at age four. She said, “Chrissy Henderson was my first softball coach; I really don’t remember for sure how I got started. I think she asked me if I wanted to play softball and I said I would try out.” She added she began as a volleyball manager in 5th grade, and began playing competitively in junior high.
Winters played both volleyball and softball in high school at Goodpasture Christian School. She stated, “I played volleyball for the school and it helped me stay in shape, but I have always loved softball more. I played both first base and pitcher, but I like pitching better. I started pitching when I was eight; my pitching coach was Bill Cartwright.”
She received a scholarship to play softball at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. She said the biggest difference in high school and college athletics is in high school a lot of people play just to have fun, but in college everyone wants to win and it is more competitive. “Everybody cares and it is much more serious."
As a freshman, Winters was part of the team that set a record for the most wins in the school's program history with a record of 41-13. This was their first year in the Mid-South Conference, and they were ranked third in the conference. Additionally, they were undefeated at home during their regular season with a 22-0 record and were ranked #18 in the NAIA.
She stated, “We were in the first round of the national tournament. We didn’t make It past the first round, but we were one win away from the World Series.” During her first year with the team, Chloe had a 6-1 record with five saves and a 2.16 era. As a freshman, she had 67 strikeouts and only 10 walks. She was selected as "Freshman of the Year," and named to the First Team All-Conference.
She added, “I want to say thank you to my parents and all of my coaches for pushing me and making me a better player. I am really looking forward to next year."
*Photo Submitted
