Glenville State College has become a popular destination for athletes from southern West Virginia, especially ones from Wyoming East.
After a two-year stint at Ohio University, four-time first-team all-state Wyoming East pitcher Holly Brehm transferred to Glenville for her junior year.
Skylar Davidson and Sarah Saunders led the Warriors to the Class AA girls state championship title last year before joining the Pioneers this season.
Now you can add softball standout Paige Laxton to the list of Wyoming East athletes playing for Glenville State.
Friday afternoon with her family, friends and coaches in attendance, Laxton signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball for the Pioneers next year.
For Laxton, the fit seemed as natural as drilling a fastball over the fence for a home run.
“Holly is up there and she really opened my eyes to Glenville State,” Laxton said. “When I went up there, it really felt like home. It’s a small town and everybody knows everyone. It’s a lot like it is here.”
Hard work has made Laxton one of the premier catchers in the state and her current head coach, Robert “Doc” Warner feels that is exactly why Laxton will succeed at the college level.
“Paige has really grown and gotten a lot tougher in her time here. She has been one of my better players and has improved every year,” Warner said. “Paige went from wanting to be a home run hitter to hitting line drives all the time. I think she will do fine because she will work hard and she will listen.”
Laxton is no stranger to daunting situations over her career. The first came as a freshman when she caught her hard-throwing friend.
“It was exciting catching for Holly. About my seventh grade year, I told myself that my goal was to catch Holly Brehm my freshman year. I love Holly to death. She is one of the best people on earth,” Laxton said.
Over the past two seasons, Laxton has been behind the plate for another Wyoming East standout, Olivia Hylton, who recently signed to play at Fairmont State.
“It is a lot of responsibility, but Olivia does a really good job at helping. Those are my girls out there on that field and I would do anything for them,” Laxton said. “I don’t look at catching as a captain position, but more of an older sister type position in leading these girls.”
Next year, Laxton will major in nursing which has just been added to the Glenville State curriculum, but for now, she hopes to close out her high school career with a successful senior season.
“Making it to the state tournament is definitely a goal, but at the same time, we are young and I understand that,” Laxton said. “Hopefully we make it through the season with a good record and everyone stays healthy.”
