Southern Wayne’s Layla Rackley will not have to worry about the pressures of figuring out where to attend college as she prepares for her senior season on the softball diamond.

On Thursday afternoon, the talented senior signed a national letter of intent with Wake Technical Community College.

“It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, not in a bad way, but in a good way because I’ve been trying to achieve this goal since I was eight years old,” Rackley said. “And I feel like I’ve finally achieved that.”

Rackley, who also plays travel softball with Next Level Training Center, said Wake Tech got her radar after playing in a showcase event.

“I played at a Tier One showcase tournament, and they recruited me at a softball game there,” Rackley said. “As soon as I went and toured the campus, I fell in love with it, and I knew it felt right.”

As a freshman, Rackley racked up a .305 batting average, nine RBIs, and she helped lead the Saints to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A playoffs.

Her sophomore season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as a junior, Rackley made up for the lost season by having a .366 batting average, 10 RBIs, five doubles, and three triples.

“It’s surreal and exciting because I’ve been able to be with her all four years. Just to see her grow and get to this point with her hard work is super exciting,” Southern Wayne head coach Jamie Williams said. “A word I would use for her is grit. She has a lot of grit, and she goes hard every play.

“She can play multiple positions, which is huge, and with her bat in the lineup you something is going to be produced.”

Rackley has enjoyed putting up impressive numbers, but she has most enjoyed spending time with her teammates and coaches.

“We’re a very close-knit family. Ant and coach Williams are definitely like my second set of parents. They are always there when I need them, and that’s how our whole team is.” Rackley said.

Off the softball diamond, Rackley plans on majoring in radiology.

“I’m going to the radiology tech program they have there and then transfer to either ECU or Central.”