Brookhaven Academy’s Emily Langley is an all-around athlete.Successful on the softball field, basketball court, soccer field,and in track and field events, Langley signed a fastpitch softballscholarship with the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady WolvesThursday morning in the school library.

“I’m looking forward to being at Co-Lin,” smiled Langley, who isa native of Wesson. “It will be fun. I am looking forward toplaying better competition.”

Langley plans to major in psychology at college.

“We are very excited about Emily joining our program,” saidCo-Lin head women’s fastpitch softball coach Allen Kent. “She isone of the best athletes we have ever signed. Coach Johnny Williamsand I have known Emily ever since she was born. Her Mom, Wenda andI, played summer coed softball together for many years, so itreally seems fitting that she will be playing here.”

Langley was selected to The DAILY LEADER’s All-Area SlowpitchSoftball Team for 2005. Her junior year in basketball, she wasnamed an Honorable Mention.

“It’s the place to be,” added Langley about going to Co-Lin.

Langley, a 5-8 senior, wrapped up her senior year in fastpitchsoftball with a .659 batting average. She played shortstop andcenterfield in fastpitch as the Lady Cougar team finished 11-18 onthe season.

“It was great,” said Langley about fastpitch softball. “Ienjoyed it.” She played for Coaches Wenda Langley and RickyAllen.

“We anticipate Emily playing in the outfield, and possibly somefirst base,” explained Kent. “She really covers a lot of ground inthe outfield, and has a very strong arm. She naturally bats fromthe left side, which is a plus, especially with her speed. She hasalso been working on slapping from the left side, which will onlymake her more of a threat at the plate.”

In the spring slowpitch at BA, Langley will play left field.

Langley is recuperating from a torn ACL which occurred duringthe MPSA All-Star Soccer Game, right before the start of basketballseason. She was forced to miss the entire basketball season.

“The knee is coming along real good,” stated Langley. “It shouldbe 100 percent by May.”

Langley still attends basketball practice at 7 a.m. weekdays andkeeps the scorebook on the road for the Lady Cougars. Sheencourages her teammates during the game.

“Playing summer fastpitch really helped Emily last year and sheintends to play again this summer if her knee is ready,” addedKent. “I know she’s been working hard with her therapy and weanticipate a full recovery.”

Last year, Langley finished No. 3 in the state in the shot putevent. She also runs the 100 and 200-meter dashes for theCougars.