The showcase of talented local high school student-athletes who have signed to continue their academic and athletic careers in college continues. Danville High School celebrated one of its own stars who will move on after the current season.
Taryn Mickley, a multisport star who is currently playing softball for the Blue Devils, signed to make an official commitment to study and play ball at Muskingum University, on March 2, at Danville High School, with 58 supporters in attendance. Among those who attended the signing were Mickley’s parents, grandparents, siblings, niece, team members and Danville coaches, teachers and administrators.
Looking to build on last year’s performance and finish her career at Danville with even better numbers, Mickley helped lead her softball team to a 15-9 record in 2022 with a .408 batting average, .704 slugging percentage, 29 hits, six doubles, three home runs, 20 RBIs, 24 runs scored, 10 stolen bases and .810 fielding percentage, and only nine strikeouts in 23 games played.
Mickley said choosing Muskingum University was love at first sight.
“As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I fell in love with the university and the people I met,” Mickley said. “Then I met the coach (Lana Connor) and she made me feel very comfortable, and I fell in love with the place even more."
Mickley said she is looking to finish her Danville career with the best season of her high school career.
“I'm looking forward to playing with my teammates and growing as a family,” Mickley said. “I can't do it without them. I'm looking forward to having that bond that will help get us far this season. We, together, want to win the conference this year and make a deep tournament run.”
Though she still has one semester and season left at Danville, Mickley said her favorite moment at the school is “everything.”
“I can't just pick one moment,” she said. “I love the practices, the games, the bus rides and the family bond with my sisters.”
Danville softball coach Charlie Duncan praised his infielder.
“Taryn Mickley is a tough, hard-nosed Danville Blue Devil,” Duncan said. “Taryn has been a three-year starter for us at shortstop and was pretty close to winning that job as a freshman until the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. She is a coach on the field and she communicates with her teammates before plays happen and has even convinced me to make a call or two based on what she sees happening.”
Duncan sees Mickley’s future as bright, maybe even one that is close to home.
“After she is done with college, maybe I can convince her to come back and coach for me,” Duncan said. “She puts so much extra time in during the summer playing, winter lifting and extra work whenever she can. I am extremely excited for her and for Muskingum. I know the coaching staff up there, and she will be coached well. She will be in good hands and Muskingum is getting one heck of a ball player."
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Danville softball player Taryn Mickley was supported at her signing to play at Muskingum University by (front row) Tonya Mickley, Taryn Mickley, Teigan Mickley and Grant Mickley, and (back row) Danville assistant coaches Quentin Cottrell and Shane Coffield, head coach Charlie Duncan, Cade Mickley, Shanna Mickley and Danville Athletic Director BJ Miller.
