Even though it may take a while, it pays off in the end. Senior Kayla Dunkerley recently committed to further her softball  journey as an outfielder at Le Moyne University. 

For a lot of athletes, the committing process is extremely long, but for outfielder Dunkerley, it was just a few days. 

“I hadn’t been in contact with them but they watched me at a tournament in Binghamton, NY, set up a call and a visit with me, and I committed a day or so later,” Dunkerley said. 

Dunkerley’s parents have been her number one fans at every game ever since she first picked up the bat in 7th grade. 

“They wanted me to pursue whatever dream I had and were willing to support me through whatever that was,” Dunkerley said. 

When considering colleges, Dunkerley was looking for a place where she could see herself academically, as well as on a team where she could truly connect with the coaches and players.

“I chose Le Moyne because I really loved their coaches, they had true genuine interest in me as a player and a person, it was north, I really like the small campus and its layout,” Dunkerley said. “ The girls I met on the team were very nice and personable. I liked the comfortable vibe that campus had and they had multiple majors I could see myself pursuing.”

The recruiting process takes a toll on any athlete and for Dunkerley it was having to wait.

“I had to wait so long for the right thing to happen,” Dunkerley said, “I was playing well and knew what I was worth so it was hard having to wait.”

Sometimes goals can feel so out of reach, and it’s hard to keep working towards them. But Dunkerley explains that you need to trust the process and it will work out.

“I would say that no matter what your journey looks like, it’s still a journey and it’s YOURS. Your life has a plan and a purpose so even if it’s not on the timeline that you want, don’t give up and keep working towards your goals because it will all happen in the right time.”