Centralia softball players looked up to Madi Johnson and Cora King.

The seniors are each looking up to the college level as Johnson signed to play at Missouri State University and King signed to play at St. Charles Community College during a ceremony on Dec. 4 in the Centralia High School gym. Johnson and King each closed their careers this season with their second straight all-state nods. 

Johnson reached 160 career hits this season to become the school career record holder in that category, and she also tops the career record books with 116 RBIs and 40 doubles. She was first team all-conference, all-district, all-region and a NEMO Pressbox All Star this season before she goes to study to become a nurse.

“Their softball program is something special,” Johnson said. “The community at Missouri State is a big part of it. They’re all like family down there, and the second I stepped on campus, it felt like home.”

King also had the school’s career hits record this season before Johnson took the title. She still has the career and season caught stealing records from her time as a catcher before transitioning to third base. As an infielder, King has been all-state twice and also earned first team all-conference, all-district and all-region utility honors this season before studying exercise science to go into physical therapy. 

“I love the coach, and I love the campus as it’s so gorgeous,” King said. “It’s in such a good area. St. Charles is going to be an amazing fit for me. When I went on my visit, I got to go into the dugout and meet some of the girls. I just had an instant click with some of them. That shows the type of welcoming environment St. Charles has.”

Liz Bostick has coached both girls all four years and she said they each have sacrificed a lot of time in those four years and beyond. She said that’s what it takes to play in college.

“These kids are playing at a high level in the summer, driving places and spending their weekends doing this sport instead of going out with friends,” Bostick said. “That sacrifice speaks very highly of the kind of people they are and how much dedication they have to their sport.”

Johnson said she was able to seize her dream because of her father’s and other family’s support and her time playing travel softball with the Aces Fastpitch Club. Not only did the Aces teach her to rise to her best potential, but she said they taught her to be a better person, which is a big part of the recruiting process. 

A love for softball can’t be overlooked for why Johnson put in so much extra work, she said, as the game is a source of enjoyment for her. She said she likes the friendships she has made.

“Putting in the time and falling in love with the process is what you really have to do,” Johnson said. “Practicing is a different type of home to me. It’s always something I can go to, and I just enjoy it very much.”

King said her father has worked with her “day and night” and during good and bad weather. She credits him and that extra work for her competitive drive to be even better and “want to hit almost 1.000 every game.”

The Lady Panthers broke the school’s team batting average record for a season by hitting .391. King and Johnson each provided many hits to contribute to that mark while they competed with each other for the career hits record. King said she looks up to Johnson but provided the team reasons to hold her in high regard.

As a sophomore, King said she caught a lot of innings and admitted to not being happy at first after her meeting with Bostick about moving her to third base. King said her new position has allowed her to receive more recognition, and it expanded her skillset.

“She said it was best for the team,” King said. “I’m so grateful for that change because I love third base. I don’t really miss catching.”

Bostick said Johnson has “persevered through failure” in her career and has made adjustments to become a better hitter and defender. She said King has been a great teammate, willing to do whatever for the team, and has been a clutch performer for the Lady Panthers. She doesn’t doubt that they can handle college pitching.

“(King) hits better pitching better, and Madi does that, too,” Bostick said. “Between the two of them, they’ve shown what it takes to play at that level. If you want to be as good as they are, you have to work as hard as they do.”