by Adam Gault
Dominating the softball diamond since the better part of her childhood, Essex native, Hannah McClounie, recently finished her final year at Wayne State University, where her unprecedented on-field performances have led to numerous awards and achievements during her four years on the school’s team.
Beginning her career as a child, McClounie played for several local teams before landing a spot on the Windsor Wildcats, a premier girls’ fastball organization.
It was from this point that McClounie’s softball career continued to thrive, with her later playing on Team Ontario for two years, as well as going to the Nationals with a team from the Greater Toronto Area.
“When I was younger, I would say my biggest goal was to play college ball,” McClounie explained of her drive to achieve at the collegiate level. “I ended up achieving that goal, so that meant a lot to me.”
Four years ago, McClounie embarked on fulfilling that goal when she was accepted to Wayne State University to major in Kinesiology and minor in Nutrition, demonstrating that her academic goals where definitely in-line with her athletic ones.
During her four years with the Division II program, McClounie had a playing career that would exceed all expectations, and bring her numerous athletic awards in the process.
With a career batting average of .357, 28 home runs, and impeccable defensive skills demonstrated by the 3B/SS, McClounie was selected to the All-American Third Teams by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as a third baseman, and by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association as a utility player.
“It felt incredible,” McClounie said of the All-American selection. “That was a college goal for me. Once I knew about [the award], … my goal for my senior year was to try and go out with a bang and get that award.”
The All-American Award is given to the top 50 athletes across Division I through III in each respective sport, and is one of collegiate athletics most prestigious awards.
Her on-field accolades went well beyond those two awards, however, with McClounie setting the school record for career walks with 77, tied the record of 11 sacrifice flies, second in home runs with 28, and third in both slugging percentage at .585, and a remarkable 401 fielding assists.
“We’re extremely proud, she’s had one hell of a year and a great career,” her father, Leonard McClounie, said. “She’s finally gotten some recognition on the level of play that she’s able to bring to the table.”
This summer, McClounie continued her play on this side of the border with the Windsor Wildcats, where she recently batted .733 in a late July tournament, making her the top batter on the team that took home bronze in the tournament.
Like many athletes across all sports, McClounie said one of the most fulfilling parts of the softball experience isn’t winning awards, but the making of lifelong friendships that continue well after the diamond lights have dimmed.
“Getting to know my best friends for life, and meeting new people, that was very rewarding,” McClounie explained.
With her recent graduation, McClounie hopes to continue her athletic-based education by pursuing a post graduate in Athletic Training, possibly as early as next year.
“[Athletic Training] is definitely my top thing to do, about where to go to school, I’m not sure yet. I’m hoping to go this spring coming up,” McClounie explained. “But Wayne State is my first option if I get in.”
In the meantime, McClounie will continue to take to the field for the Windsor Wildcats, proving this Essex phenom shows no signs of slowing down.
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