APRIL 15, 2011 - COVINGTON
Standing just 5-foot-2-inches tall, Chloe Shell has been doubted her entire life as she chased the dream of playing college softball.

"I've had people tell me I'll never play in college because I'm too short," said Shell, a senior at Covington High School. "Well, look at me now."

Shell has proved her doubters wrong as she committed to play softball for Bluffton University and coach Heather Bruder in a ceremony held in the Covington weight room on Friday.

"People who question Chloe's ability because of her size don't know the game of softball," said Bruder. "There's a lot of players all shapes and sizes that are good softball players. She's a talented player who has a passion for the game and that's what appeals to us."

And that passion for the game has allowed Shell to overcome her perceived physical deficiencies and excel on the field for the Lady Buccs, where she has been a mainstay on the mound since her freshman season. In that time Covington has won 71 games, including 22 wins in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons and a 10-0 record so far this season.

"We are excited to have the talent, ability and passionate player in Chloe Shell to help our program in the years to come," Bruder said. "We have no doubt she'll come in this fall and be an immediate impact player for us like she has been at Covington."

Shell is also excited to be taking her talents to Bluffton University, for several reasons.

"I like the size of the school," Shell explained. "When I first met coach (Bruder) and some of the girls on the team, it just clicked. It feels right."

Another reason is Shell has already played with some of her future teammates, Amanda Woolley of Miami East and Jess Wilhelm of Piqua.

"I've played with Amanda and Jess in travel ball, so we know each other pretty well," Shell said. "Jess is playing there now and to be playing with her and Amanda in college will be exciting."

Chloe's high school softball coach Dean Denlinger is confident Shell made the right choice as well.

"This will be a good fit for Chloe because it is similar to the small town environment with a close nit community she's accustom to," he said. "She's a good player, but more importantly she's a good person. She'll fit right in (at Bluffton). I'm excited for her."

Also excited are Chloe's parents, John and Kim Shell, as they know their daughter will be in good hands with the Bluffton coaching staff.

"We knew Bluffton was where she wanted to go the first time we sat down with Coach Bruder," said John. "She (Bruder) is an intense coach who is passionate about the game, much like Coach Denlinger is. She thrives on coaches who coach with a passion."

Chloe agreed.

"I always play better with intense coaches," she said. "Coach Denlinger brings out the best in me because of his passion and intensity and Coach Bruder is the same way."

And Shell has benefitted greatly from the coaching she's had and the players she's had around her over the years.

"She's where she's at now because of the coaches she's had and the players she's played with," John continued. "Coach Denlinger, her pitching coaches and her travel ball coaches have all had an impact."

Shell has received excellent coaching, but Denlinger thinks it's much more than that.

"I don't know if it's destiny, but if you look at the long hours Chloe has put in since she was 10 years old, she was destined for this," he said. "You can coach kids, but you need kids who are willing to put in the work. The way Chloe prepares herself, her competitive drive, she's made this happen."

That passion and the type of person Shell is didn't go unnoticed by Bluffton.

"We love her energy, dedication and desire to be the best she can be every day," said Bruder. "We like the fact that Chloe is a good person and it's obvious the type of person she is. We want good people in our program."

The fact that Bluffton took character into account impressed Chloe's parents.

"We appreciate Bluffton taking into account the type of person she is," Kim Shell said. "That says a lot about the type of program they have. It's a family-type atmosphere there, much like it is here at Covington. You can tell by how well the kids up there have taken to Chloe."

Having a family-type support system will benefit Shell as she makes the transition to college life.

"I know college will be different, but it is good to know I'll have people I can lean on," Shell said. "I plan on majoring in English because I want to be an English Teacher someday."

She also has plans of continuing with softball after her playing days are eventually over.

"I also want to be a softball coach and come back and take Coach Denlinger's job," she continued with a chuckle. "He always said I could come back and take over when he's done."

First, Shell has some unfinished business in her senior season at Covington. The Lady Buccs are on a role at 10-0 and looking to ride the wave of success as long as it will take them.

"I can't wait to play at Bluffton, but I'm going to enjoy my senior year first," she said. "I know people doubt us, but hopefully we can prove them wrong."

Something Chloe Shell has done her entire life.