Sophomore infielder Giselle Rowell already has a signature moment in a Mangum softball uniform, but she says the game has given her far more than one big swing.
“My positions are third base and second base,” Rowell said. “Hitting my first over the fence grand slam when we played against Marlow” is the accomplishment she is most proud of.
Softball, she explained, has shaped who she is on and off the field. “Softball has made me a better person by teaching me accountability, teamwork, and resilience,” Rowell said. “I’ve learned that being part of a team means putting others before yourself and always giving your best effort, even when things get hard.”
One coach has played a major role in her development. “My favorite teacher is coach Genny Stidham because she has impacted me both on and off the field,” she said. “She has taught me not only the fundamentals of softball but also how to be confident in myself and my abilities. She challenges me to push beyond my comfort zone and strive to be better every day. Because of her encouragement and belief in me, I’ve grown into a stronger, more determined player and person.”
Rowell’s biggest inspiration comes from home. “My parents inspire me because they have always supported me in everything I do,” she said. “They spend countless hours driving me to practices, private lessons, and travel ball games, and they are always in the stands cheering me on.”
Among her teammates, one stands out. “The teammate who has left the biggest impression on me is Paelyn Clark,” Rowell said. “She is incredibly passionate about softball and consistently puts in the work to improve. As our pitcher, she plays a huge role on our team, but she never lets that overshadow being a team player. She leads by example, but what stands out most is how supportive she is. She’s always encouraging her teammates and putting the team first.”
Representing Mangum means carrying more than just her own expectations. “My favorite part about representing my high school as an athlete is the sense of pride and responsibility that comes with it,” she said. “When I step onto the field, I’m not just playing for myself — I’m playing for my school, my teammates, and our community. It motivates me to work harder, compete with integrity, and be someone others can look up to.”
She is quick to credit the coaches and teammates who have poured into her. “I want to give a special thank you to some of my coaches through the years — Tanner Lowe, Josh Tinsley, Jeremy Rodriguez, and LJ Powell — for investing so much time, effort, and belief in me,” Rowell said.
