Mustang’s Arionna McElroy eyeing shot at college level
MUSTANG, Okla. (BVM) — The 2022 high school spring sports season is coming to an end. But for up-and-coming softball and baseball prospects, this season is just a stepping stone to prove to college coaches they have what it takes to play in the NCAA. One of those up-and-coming prospects is Arionna McElroy.
Since she was 5 years old, McElroy has always been around softball. Although it wasn’t her first sport of choice, she quickly found out it was the one sport for her.
“I’ve tried so many sports growing up, from dancing to even tennis,” McElroy said. “And I found that softball sticks to me the most. I just love the atmosphere and being able to work with my teammates. I also run track and throw discus as well for [Mustang].”
Yukon Invitational: 🥉 3rd with a NEW PR! 😎 115’4” #inchbyinch #discusthrow @MustangBroncoTF @MHSBroncoSports pic.twitter.com/AnZCfLMjJa
— ONNA (@McElroy_Onna) April 14, 2022
However, without her parents, McElroy wouldn’t be the type of player she is today.
“My family is the main source of my athlete development,” McElroy said. “They support me and pay for my lessons, take me to practice, my games and they are everything to me when it comes to playing softball.”
The bond between family can be a strong one. And along with her parents, McElroy’s bond with her sister has been another reason she continues to have success as an athlete.
“[I don’t have an athlete I look up to], but I do look up to my sister, Rebecka,” Arionna said.
There is no doubt that Arionna’s relationship with her family has paid off. Relationships with your family are unique, and in the case of the McElroys, it really is a great one. And Arionna has made the most out of it.
Solid way to end the fall season with our team @As05National qualifying for #AFCS @thealliancefp
final stats of fall 👀
OPS% 1.658
3 HR 16 RBI
FPCT % .977
40 PO, 2 A, 1 ER
CS% .556 Block% .818 @ExtraInningSB @FloSoftball @WinTheMoment1 @ondecksoftball @HFLfastpitch 💙🥎💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/AK4zl5udRd— ONNA (@McElroy_Onna) November 16, 2021
Arionna has a batting average of .500 and a slugging percentage of 1.214. She is also a force to reckon with defensively. She finished her sophomore year with a fielding percentage of .938.
Honored and blessed to be recognized at this years HS fastpitch banquet. Big thank you to my coaches for believing in me and my teammates who compete with me! ❤️🥎💪🏼@WinTheMoment1
Regional Champs
State Semi-Finalist
All-District 1st Team UT
COAC 2nd Team OF @MustangBroncoSB pic.twitter.com/0RkL42lf28— ONNA (@McElroy_Onna) November 18, 2021
back to the cage #boom 🥎💪🏼 @SoftballConnect @WinTheMoment1 @MustangBroncoSB @BroncoSBRecruit @ExtraInningSB @As05National @FloSoftball @CowgirlSB @RazorbackSB @TulsaSoftball @GoShockersSB @MeanGreenSB @AggieSoftball @StriveSoftball pic.twitter.com/uOB0oll59A
— ONNA (@McElroy_Onna) December 8, 2021
With her continued success, Arionna could potentially see her interest from college programs peak as she transitions into her junior year.
“I’ve been looking at colleges with my mom for quite a while now, especially going to camps at the colleges themselves,” Arionna said.
Along with her mother, one person who is expecting her to be great at the next level is Mustang track and field coach Samantha Garcia.
“This is my second-year coaching Arionna,” Garcia said. “Arionna is next level. Her mentality is next level. She is constantly looking at the big picture. It means the world to me to coach Arionna.”
There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Arionna can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. And now, with Arionna participating in the track season, the goals and future accomplishments are becoming more significant. Nonetheless, those close to her don’t expect her success to stop anytime soon.
“I watched videos of her batting practice in softball and [decided] she was in the wrong track event,” Garcia said. “We moved her to discus this year, and it has been a game-changer for her and our team. Arionna could be a state champion, in my opinion, in the next two years. The sky is the limit with her.”
Arionna is an all-around fantastic athlete. Her time at Mustang has meant so much. And she still has a lot of memories to make. Whether that be state title or receiving an offer from a prestigious college program, Arionna will have a lot to be proud of, and she definitely has a bright future ahead of her. She’ll do great things in whatever she decides to do next.
“Playing for Mustang has changed me as a teammate a lot,” Arionna said. “I can say that playing for a school ball team is way different than playing for the travel team. I can say that it feels more like family, and you see them all the time.”
