For Willoughby South senior Olivia Pennington, one of the biggest moments of the summer didn’t happen during a game. It came afterward.
Following an impressive showing at the USA Select Bowl in Los Angeles, Pennington received a scholarship offer from the University of Saint Francis in Indiana—a program that had already gotten a close-up look at her abilities.
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Saint Francis assistant coach TJ Williams, who coached Pennington during the national showcase, extended the offer after continuing conversations once the event concluded.
“It was pretty special because I’ve actually been coached by him,” Pennington said. “Getting that validation from someone who’s seen me play up close means a lot.”
The offer marks another milestone in an already successful recruiting journey, but Pennington admitted this one carries extra significance.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “I’m super grateful, and I love Coach TJ. He’s an awesome guy, and I’m thankful for every opportunity I’ve been given.”
A National Stage
The USA Select Bowl brought together talented players from across the country for four days of competition at the LA Galaxy training complex.
Pennington spent about a week in California, arriving early before taking part in two days of training sessions followed by pool play and the championship match. Her team ultimately captured the silver medal.
Just as important as the team’s success was the opportunity to compete against some of the nation’s top players.
“I think I did really well,” Pennington said. “I truly showed everybody what I can do. Obviously, there are things I could have done better, but those things are going to happen. Overall, I think I did the best I could.”
Her performance clearly caught the attention of the Saint Francis coaching staff.
Recruiting Continues
Saint Francis joins a growing list of schools pursuing the Willoughby South standout.
Pennington also holds offers from Mercyhurst, Marymount University, and Hendrix College in Arkansas.
While the recruiting process continues to gain momentum, she isn’t feeling pressured to make a quick decision.
“I still play other sports, and I want to visit the schools that have offered me,” Pennington said. “I think my senior year will be another big wave of opportunity in my recruiting process.”
For now, Pennington plans to focus on enjoying her final high school season while allowing the recruiting process to unfold naturally.
With another Division I-caliber summer performance behind her and college coaches continuing to take notice, there’s every reason to believe more opportunities could be on the horizon.
