Columbus State Honors 10th Anniversary Girls In The Game Class with Scholarships, Olympian Guest

Staff Report

Columbus State University has announced its 10th anniversary of Girls In The Game class, honoring eight standout female student-athletes representing each of the university’s NCAA Division II women’s sports programs.

Each honoree will receive a one-year academic scholarship and a custom Girls In The Game medallion, recognizing their excellence in athletics, academics and leadership. The 2025 honorees will be celebrated during the annual Girls In The Game luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center.

The event will feature three-time Olympic medalist De'Hashia Tonnek “DeeDee” Trotter as the keynote speaker.

Following the luncheon, Trotter will lead a "Train with an Olympian" agility clinic at the university’s Walden Soccer Complex. The clinic is presented by Chick-fil-A, Columbus Coca-Cola and MWV Screen Printing.

The 2025 Girls In The Game class includes:

• Tennis: Annie Adams, senior, Columbus, Ga., master's in business
• Basketball: Haelim Adle, junior guard, Gainesville, Ga., biology major
• Golf: Samantha Dewendt Morales, freshman, Dawson, Ga., business major
• Track & Field: Deandra Downer, junior, Loganville, Ga., health science major
• Soccer: Anna LaBarbera, junior, Habersham, Ga., history major
• Cross Country: Anna Petallar, junior, Columbus, Ga., biology major
• Softball: Mary-Catherine “MC” Sorrell, junior, Loganville, Ga., health science major
• Cheer: Camdyn White, freshman, Columbus, Ga., nursing major

“We are so very impressed by the grit and perseverance of the student-athletes selected to represent each of our teams this year,” said Lauren Brown, interim director of athletics. “These women truly represent the values and leadership attributes defined by the Girls In The Game program.”

The Girls In The Game initiative was launched in 2015 to support and advance female student-athletes at Columbus State, empowering them academically, athletically and as future leaders. Since its inception, the program has awarded scholarships to 62 athletes.

Luncheon tickets and clinic registration are available online. Sponsorship opportunities and donations to the Girls In The Game scholarship endowment also are being accepted. More information is available on the Girls In The Game website or by contacting the CSU Department of Athletics.