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By Brandy L. Simms @bls1969
In 1970, Stevie Wonder released the single “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” which became an enormous hit on the music charts.
The song spent six weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at No. 3 on the U.S. Pop chart.
During November’s early signing period, one of Montgomery County’s top student-athletes made her college choice official when she signed, sealed and delivered her paperwork to the state’s flagship institution.
On November 14, Blair senior pitcher Courtney Wyche signed a national letter of intent to play softball at the University of Maryland.
She was surrounded by a village of supporters including coaches (past and present) along with family members and friends as well.
The group included her mother Tracey and father Kenny Prather along with baby sister Cayla.
“I’m very excited to have this opportunity,” Wyche told Silver Chips Online, Blair’s online student newspaper. “I’ve worked hard over the past nine years that I’ve been playing softball, but for the last four years in high school I’ve really been developing my craft.”
Her accolades speak for themselves; she’s been named a finalist for the Gatorade Player of the Year Award and been her team’s top performer ever since entering high school.
Wyche, who earned Blair’s Most Valuable Player Award last season, was just 12 years old when college coaches began to take notice.
A year later, Wyche received her first major NCAA Division I scholarship offer from the University of Missouri.
She soon had offers from various college programs in the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference among others.
During her freshman campaign at Blair, Wyche verbally committed to play softball at Maryland and earlier this month followed through with her pledge.
“Courtney is a hometown girl who I am proud chose to represent the Terps,” said Julie Wright, head coach of the Maryland softball program. “She is a power pitcher with great knowledge and love for the game, but probably my favorite thing about her is her competitive fire in the circle. She has all the tools to be elite and is one of the best young women I know. We can’t wait for her to step on campus.”
At Maryland, Wyche will have an opportunity to shine bright like a diamond.
Wright, who was named Maryland’s head coach in 2015, has outstanding credentials. Last season, she guided the Terrapins to a seven-win improvement as the program advanced to the Big Ten Tournament for the first time in three years.
Maryland’s 5-1 start in Big Ten play was its best since joining the conference in 2014.
Wright’s teams have produced close to two dozen Academic All-Big Ten selections during her tenure including five Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.
Wyche, who registered 256 strikeouts in 126 innings last season, should be a welcome addition to the Maryland softball program. Not only is she a standout on the diamond but she’s also an honor roll student and boasts a weighted 4.5 grade point average.
“I’m really close to my family so I didn’t want to go too far from home,” Wyche added, “and I know UMD has excellent academic programs and majors.”
Of course, she’ll be getting the best of both worlds at the University of Maryland where academics and athletics go hand in hand.
You can contact Brandy at: blssports@hotmail.com.
