Kelly Barnhill

This landmark season also saw her earn the espnW Player of the Year, the prestigious Honda Sports Award, and an ESPY Award for Best Female College Athlete. During her time at the University of Florida, Barnhill was also recognized as the SEC Pitcher of the Year and an All-SEC First Team selection in 2017. Her exceptional talent was evident from high school, where she was named the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and the USA Today Softball Player of the Year in 2015, recording 22 no-hitters and leading her team to the 2014 Class 6A state championship. Barnhill continued to excel throughout her collegiate tenure, achieving several career records for the Florida Gators, including the lowest opponent batting average (.134) and highest career strikeouts (1,208).

After a distinguished career on the mound, Kelly Barnhill strategically transitioned her professional focus towards addressing critical societal needs and leveraging her leadership capabilities off the field. In 2024, she assumed the impactful role of Executive Director for Housing and Workforce Collective Solutions (HAWCS), an attainable housing organization based in Athens, Georgia, where she applies her disciplined drive to community impact.