Addison Cornelius '25 Recruiting Profile

My name is Addison Cornelius, but everyone, including my friends and family, call me Addie. I'm a Navy brat, who's been lucky enough to have lived all over the country, including Hawaii, California, Rhode Island, and Virginia, to name just a few of the places I've called home. I've lived in 8 homes, and have been the "new kid" at school more times than I count! While some fellow children of military members have resented moving so much, I know how fortunate I've been to have so many interesting experiences under my belt. For example, when I lived on Oahu, I was one of four children selected to participate in the Pearl Harbor Commemoration Ceremony on December 7, 2014, laying a wreath with a Marine, who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor 73 years earlier.

I was born in Annapolis, Maryland while my father was stationed at the Naval Academy as a professor. As he approached retirement, and was offered a second opportunity to return to his alma mater, it proved to be the perfect way to bookend my tenure as a military child. As he finished his last tour, my family decided to make Maryland our forever home. While some people thought we should retire to other places we had lived, including San Diego, I was very vocal in making it clear I wanted to stay in Maryland. It wasn't that I didn't want to switch schools again that made me want to stay, but that I didn't want to leave my travel softball team, who had become a second family to me.

I started playing softball in Coronado, California, when I was in third grade, and fell in love with it immediately. I remember crying at the last all-star tournament I played in right before we moved to Maryland, convinced I would never find a team as close-knit as my current one. I was wrong! When I moved to Maryland, I found myself playing for Broadneck Baseball Softball Club, starting out on the 12U recreation team. That first season my team went all the way, winning the county championship! I've continued to play with BBSC ever since, and elevated from the recreation team to the travel team, playing 14U and 16U before being picked to play for the 18U team while I was still a freshman. My coaches and teammates on my travel team bring out the best in me, and I love the camaraderie we share. As a pitcher, I understand how essential it is to have a connection with my catchers, as well as every other player on the team. 

In addition to pitching, I also play shortstop and center field for my travel team, but am quick to run out to any position the coaches need me to cover. The same is true for my high school softball team. I made the varsity team last year as a freshman as a right handed pitcher, but often played first base when one of our other pitchers was on the mound. While some people understandably only feel comfortable at one position, I feel like I can play anywhere, and have my head in the game at all times. I think my years as a Navy brat have made me adaptable, knowing I have to adjust to whatever changes come my way, big or small. My mom always teases me that softball is the perfect outlet for me because off the field I'm bubbly and happy, but once I step onto the field, I can unleash what she calls a "fierce focus" as well as grit.

While I haven't yet decided what I'd like to study in college, I know for sure that I'd like my college experience to include being part of my future school's softball community. Softball is a big part of who I am, and while I know I will miss both my current travel team as well as my high school teammates dearly, I anticipate making the same type of long lasting friendships with my future teammates.