Junior Elisabeth Kearney is recognized as 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year, a recognition given out annually to recognize outstanding high school student-athlete achievements in athletics and academics. From her hard work and dedication, Kearney has been recognized for a number of athletic and academic awards. Kearney was a member of Londonderry’s 2024 state championship team and was a 2024 Division I First Team All-State. 

Kearney has been playing softball from a very young age, where she has grown and learned many life lessons. Kearney states that a strong love for her sport has come from her family tree. From now, playing softball isn’t only a hobby, it is like her home. 

“I started playing softball at the age of eight. Before that, I played tee-ball as soon as I could walk. Softball and baseball seem to be in my bloodline,” Kearney said. 

Playing baseball and softball runs in the Kearney family, where both her parents and older brother pursued playing these sports in college.

“My mom and dad both played collegiate baseball and softball. My older brother is also playing division one collegiate baseball at Stonehill College,” Kearney said. 

Kearney has already committed and “will soon be attending Stonehill to play softball” in the NCAA Division 1.

When it comes to what truly got Kearney this far, it comes down to her parents who taught her valuable life lessons and helped coach her through life. 

“My biggest motivation has always been my parents,” Kearney said. “They have supported me so much throughout my life, they have taught me so many life lessons and I am so blessed to have them in my life.” 

Now that Kearney has been named Gatorade Player of the Year, she has finally realized that all of her hard work has paid off. Her hard work has been recognized on and off the field for both her academics and outstanding talent in softball. 

“Gatorade Player of the Year is an amazing accomplishment. I just played my game throughout the season and I ended up winning it,” Kearney said. 

Kearney’s ultimate motivation to be the best version of herself comes from the hearts of her teammates. Kearney and her teammates rely on each other’s motivation and positive game-day energy, making a lot of their games have a successful outcome. 

“My drive stems from my team, I love the girls I play with so much,” Kearney said. “They are so supportive and I have made so many friendships through softball.”

Kearney expresses that working as a supportive teammate is how Londonderry’s varsity softball is able to be so successful. Girls Varsity Softball always supports one another, from their bonding activities to playing on the field, they are always kind and supportive to their teammates. 

“The key to our success this season as a team was working together to achieve the same goal. We all pitch in and support one another to win and have fun,” Kearney said. 

Kearney remembers an early season game against Pinkerton, and they knew after winning 6-0 that they were having a good season.

“One game that stood out to me was the Pinkerton game,” Kearney said. “We all wanted that game so bad and we did not disappoint.”

Kearney expresses gratitude to her coaches and all of the people who have supported her along the way because she “couldn’t have done it without them.”

“So many people have helped develop and strengthen me as a player and as a person. I am forever grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout my journey,” Kearney said. “I want to shout out my travel coaches who I have been with since middle school, Coach Steve Glynn and Coach Tom Amato.”

At the end of the day, it’s about the amount of effort Kearney and the rest of the team puts into having a successful outcome, winning many awards including winning the 2025 State Championship.

“It’s pretty emotional because I have sacrificed a lot and I have worked very hard to be where I am today,” Kearney said.