Every year at the Union Leader’s The Leaders celebration, the Jenny Thompson Female Athlete of the Year is given to a standout high school sports player in New Hampshire. This year senior Elisabeth Kearney was granted the prestigious award.
The award was unexpected for Kearney because she went to the ceremony to receive her award for being named last June’s Athlete of the Month award. She said it was “really cool” to also be granted the Jenny Thompson Female Athlete of the Year honor.
“It’s nice to be able to share [the award] with all the people who have supported me through everything,” Kearney said, “My family, my coaches and my parents most importantly.”
Kearney says that, despite winning the award, she will still carry herself modestly this upcoming season.
“Honestly, it’s not really going to change anything,” Kearney said. “I’m going to go in just supporting my girls when we play on the field. The awards don’t really matter to me.”
When it comes to her taking the field at Stonehill College next year, Kearney said that the award doesn’t necessarily bring her more confidence.
“There’s always that little doubt,” Kearney said. “I’m just going to go in with an open mind and continue to play my game. The award helps a little bit, but once I get to college, none of that is really going to matter. It’s going to matter how hard I work.”
Training under many of the same coaches since middle school has instilled in her the discipline and work ethic she has and will soon be carrying to Stonehill. Kearney shared this award with those coaches.
“I wouldn’t be here today without them,” Kearney said. “They have just supported me in everything.”
Her varsity coach, Dave Johnson, has been at her side since she was a sophomore. He has seen her progress as a player and a teammate.
“Elisabeth has earned the respect of her teammates, coaches and competition over these past two seasons,” Johnson said. “She continues to grow as a player and I’m looking forward to coaching her this spring season.”
Johnson says he is “grateful” for the things Kearney has done on the field, those of which he’ll “never forget.”
“I have so much respect for her, and she has given me so many memories on the softball diamond,” Johnson said. “Elisabeth is a coach’s dream. She’s very talented, hardworking, a great leader, an excellent student and is committed to continue to improve as a pitcher and player. The future is bright for Elisabeth after high school.”
Kearney herself is “excited” about her future in softball. She is on her way to finishing her high school career and beginning college softball, now with this award under her belt.
“I play the sport I love,” Kearney said. “It’s more than a game to me.”
