Muskingum senior softball player Haylea Debolt is an extraordinary student-athlete. She exemplifies the qualities of what it takes to be successful, hard-working, and determined in college.
Debolt, a chemistry major with a double minor in biology and criminal justice, is a four-year letterwinner for the Muskie softball program. During her career, Debolt has notched 65 hits, 30 runs scored, 14 doubles, five home runs, and 47 RBIs. She has batted .335, while accumulating a .485 slugging percentage. As a relief pitcher, she has seen action in 89.2 innings, recording 18 strikeouts, en route to a 3.28 ERA. For the last two seasons, Debolt has been selected as one of the team captains for the squad. On the academic side, she was named First Team Academic All-OAC during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
"Haylea is an amazing young woman and a true representation of what is expected of athletes in our softball program," said Muskingum Head Coach Kari Winters. "She has worked extremely hard over the last four years to excel in the classroom and impact our softball program."
Being a student-athlete takes a lot of time, commitment, and time management. Adding work experience makes it even more challenging. Outside the classroom, Debolt has served as a University chemistry stockroom worker, a peer leader, and a tutor in chemistry, biology, and criminal justice at the University's Success Center.
"Balancing a degree in chemistry with minors in biology and criminal justice is definitely not an easy task but one that someone as disciplined as Haylea handled with great time management skills over her four years," noted Winters. "She has managed to do so all while being one of our most consistent hitters and bullpen pitchers throughout her career as a Muskie."
Her abilities on the field have been a key component for the Muskies' success. She is a leader who influences her teammates in a positive manner by setting the standard of what it takes to succeed in the classroom and on the field. Debolt's strong play this year has propelled Muskingum to its best start in a decade.
"What we will miss most about Haylea upon her graduation is her hard work and competitive work ethic," commented Winters. "She has been one of our best 'get it done' leaders over the last few years and we know that she will go on to do amazing things in her future."
After graduating from Muskingum in May, Debolt will be attending graduate school at Penn State University.
The OAC Scholar-Athlete award honors an exceptional student-athlete on a monthly basis. Criteria for the award consists of the student-athlete being of sophomore, junior, or senior status, competition in a sport that is in-season, sportsmanlike conduct and carrying at least a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
