Most summer weekends, Adelyn French is on the road headed to another softball field.

The Broken Bow High School junior spends her summers and weekends traveling for softball with Impact Gold KC National, a team based in Houston.

Her work has earned attention. French has been ranked No. 7 regionally and No. 26 nationally and was recognized as a Top 25 hitter by Extra Inning Softball. Those honors matter to her, but the progress she values most is harder to measure.

“I’ve worked hard to become a more confident player and to be stronger mentally,” French said. “Learning to believe in myself and trust the work I’ve put in has made me a better player and teammate.”

That growth has come through learning to handle a sport in which even the best players make mistakes.

“Softball is a game of failure, so it has definitely taught me to find a positive side to everything,” French said.

French also competes in track and powerlifting at Broken Bow. Away from athletics, she is involved in pep club, Spanish club, student council and FCA. She is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks in the top 10% of her class. She also remembers Michael Hall as a teacher who made class fun and gave her something to look forward to each day.

Even with so much time spent traveling, French remains proud of Broken Bow and the way people show up for local athletes.

“My favorite thing about my hometown is how supportive the community is, especially when it comes to sports,” she said.

French is especially thankful for her parents and the role they have played in helping her reach this point.

“I would not be the person or athlete that I am today without their love and support,” French said. “They have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.”

The rankings have drawn attention to what French can do as a hitter. The change she values most is how she responds when things do not go her way.

“Never let a mistake define you,” French said. “Take it as a learning opportunity.”