Bryan County High School student Tara Miles recently signed a letter of intent to play softball at South Georgia College. Miles was a senior member and third baseman of this past season’s Elite 8 level Lady Redskin softball team. She is also a current member of the BCHS basketball team.
South Georgia coach Rob Brunel said he had his eye on Miles after seeing her in tournament play this past season. He said Miles sealed the deal after she came out to Douglas for a tryout.
"With her tryout, I could see she was a tough player and I liked the way she played third," Brunel said. "Her versatility seemed to stretch beyond that position though. She had good speed on the base pass and had a lot of speed. Hopefully we can continue to build on that. It just seems like she’d fit well into the team I’ve got and I expect her to add a lot to our program."
Brunel said his Junior College Division I Wildcat softball program is on the rise and just finished a strong 27-14 season last year. Miles said she had multiple offers, but went with South Georgia based on Brunel’s genuine interest in her."She’s worked hard for this," her mother Selina Miles said. "This is what she’s wanted ever since she started playing softball. As a matter of fact, a big part of her going to college is so she can still play ball. She’s even majoring in sports medicine based on her love of the game."
"I’m super proud of her," her sister Shannon Jarrell said. "She’s always been critical of her own playing, so today should really boost her confidence. I can’t wait to see her play for the new team. You can bet that I’ll be up every chance I get."
BCHS head softball coach Kim Covington said this signing day is a crossroads for Miles that she has envisioned her passing on her way to a successful life.
"I feel very proud for Tara and for our whole school and I expect big things from her," Covington said. "She’s a tremendous athlete and she’s worked very hard this year. She deserves everything she’s getting right now."