MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Here is a Q & A with softball senior Stephanie Condland.

As a senior, what has meant the most to you about your time wearing the Bobcat jersey?

Condland: "One of the things that has meant the most to me over the past four years of wearing the #12 Bobcat jersey is proving what our team can truly do when others highly doubt us. Georgia College softball has been underestimated in past seasons, but we have continued to rise above expectations every year. It also meant a lot to me that our class stayed together from the beginning. Maddie Todd, Emily Hobbs, Sydney Lancaster, and I have been through so much, yet we stayed committed and supported each other. Now we are preparing to graduate, and I am grateful for the growth and experience this journey has given me."

You've developed into a key contributor and starter for this program. What area of your game are you most proud of improving during your career?

Condland: "I am most proud of how much I have improved in areas of my game that were not as strong when I first entered college. Before my junior year, I was never seen as a bunter. My role had always been to hit the ball hard, and that was what I focused on. During junior year, Coach J and Coach Soza encouraged me to learn how to bunt, even though I was nervous because it was a skill most players learn much earlier. Over time, bunting became one of my favorite things to do, and it allowed me to contribute to my team in more ways than just hitting.

I am also proud of how I have grown as a leader. When I broke my hand 13 games into my junior season, I went from playing very well to being out for the rest of the year. It was difficult at first, but it pushed me to step into a new role. Instead of contributing on the field, I focused on supporting my teammates, staying positive, and being a motivator. That experience showed me that I am more than the sport I have played since I was four, and it helped me grow into a stronger teammate and person."

What's something people may not realize about playing first base that makes the position challenging or rewarding?

Condland: "Playing first base comes with responsibilities that people may not always notice. Your infield relies on you to back them up when a throw is off target. If a teammate makes a bad throw, you have to be ready to pick it, stretch for it, or do whatever you can to keep the play alive. That can be both challenging and rewarding because there are moments when you make the play and moments when you don't. Either way, the position teaches you how important it is to stay focused, support your teammates, and be ready for anything."

Looking back at this season, what moment or game stands out as one you'll remember for a very long time?

Condland: "A moment I will always remember from this season is our walk-off win against North Georgia. I remember how hard we worked for that game, and that final hit felt like the beginning of something for us. It was a turning point where we realized that if we worked hard together and showed up for each other, we could accomplish anything."

You've earned multiple academic honors during your career. How have you balanced the demands of softball, academics, and college life?

Condland: "Time management and integrity have been essential throughout my college years, especially in the past two. As an early education major, I spent the full year in a kindergarten placement, following the same 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. schedule as teachers while still keeping up with my own coursework. After leaving my placement each day, I went straight to practice and often stayed until sunset. This routine happened five days a week and required a level of consistency and discipline that pushed me to grow.

During this time, I also had to balance friendships, manage a heavy schoolwork load, and complete ongoing lesson planning. With the support of my coaches, teammates, cohort leaders, and cohort friends, I was able to stay grounded and make it through successfully."

If you could describe this year's team culture in three words, what would they be and why?

Condland: "Family, gritty, and fun are the three words that describe our team culture. We are like a family because we support each other in every situation. We are gritty because we work hard, stay tough, and push through challenges together. We are fun because we bring energy and enjoy being around each other every single day. This culture has shaped me, and it's something I hope to carry with me moving forward."

Which teammate keeps the dugout the most energized, and who would you say is the funniest on the team?

Condland: "Our dugout atmosphere is always loud, fun, and full of energy. Most of the team stays engaged throughout the entire game, and Emma Sundermeyer, Jacy Singleton, Skylar Lee, and Reina Checo are usually the ones who start our cheers and help keep motivation high.

The funniest people on the team are either Kimber Kent or Jacy Singleton. Kimber always knows how to make someone laugh with her funny personality, and Jacy has a way of saying the right thing to make situations feel less awkward when the team needs a boost. Someone else who is very funny, but no one would know it is Tiffany Caban. She personally knows me and my humor, and can make me laugh instantly. Those are the people I rely on to be there for me when I need that extra support."

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen who want to succeed both on and off the field at Georgia College?

Condland: "Be willing to be coached and stay humble. You may have earned awards or set records in high school, but there is always more to learn. When you get here, you will grow not only as an athlete but also as a person. Being open to feedback and willing to learn will help you succeed both on and off the field."

What has coach Brittany Johnson and the coaching staff taught you that you'll carry with you long after softball?

Condland: "The coaches have taught me lessons that I will carry with me long after softball. They have helped me grow as an athlete by promoting accountability, grit, and determination, but they have also prepared me for my future beyond the field. Through their guidance, I have learned what it means to be a strong leader and how to carry myself in a way that leads to success in my career and in life."

After graduation, what goals or dreams are next for you — whether in softball, your career, or life in general?

Condland: "After I graduate, I will be returning home to serve as the JV Head Coach at Cherokee Bluff High School, where I graduated, and I will also assist with the varsity program. In addition, I will be teaching fifth-grade math at Chicopee Woods Elementary School. My goals in both roles are to continue learning and growing as a coach and educator. I also hope to build the same positive culture that this team has given me and bring that into both my classroom and my program."

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.