When we launched the 2016 Hot 100 list, many were surprised that today’s spotlight, who was relatively unknown, was in the Top 10 but her increasing recruiting attention bears witness that she’s one of the top prospects in the junior class… meet her and learn more about this Peach State standout…

Name: KAYLIE HARDING
Grad Year: 2016
Pos: C/OF
High School: Georgia Military School (Milledgeville, Ga.)
GPA: 3.5
Club: Georgia Impact – Bass                                                   
Honors: 1^st Team All-State (soph.), All-County and All-Region (freshman and soph. years) 
College: uncommitted

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FullCountSoftball.com: So where are you in the high school season right now?
Kaylie Harding: We are currently in the GHSA playoffs. We play a best of three series October 22nd with the winner advancing to the GHSA Elite 8 in Columbus, Georgia.

FCS.com: You’re also a standout basketball player… what do you like about each sports and do they complement each other?
KH: My favorite sport is softball but I really enjoy basketball as well. You have to be a team player in both sports. Playing both sports allows me to stay in top physical shape.

FCS.com: Your twin sister, Karlie, is also a great basketball and softball player. Who’s better in each sports and how do you compare athletically and otherwise to each other?
KH: Being identical twins, we share a lot of the same skills and have always competed against each other. I believe I am better at certain aspects of softball and she is better at certain aspects of basketball. Overall we are very similar in both sports.

FCS.com: Do you have that twin telepathy going on? How about in sports, can you look at each other and read what the other is thinking?
KH: We sure do. There are times when I know she is going to cut behind the runner at second and I will try and pick the runner off. We always know each others moves on the basketball court and that really helps a lot.

FCS.com: What’s the latest in the recruiting situation for you?
KH: I have several schools expressing interest and have visits scheduled. An SEC school has recently shown interest and I am very excited about that.

FCS.com: Will you and Karlie be a package deal to college or would you both consider going separately?
KH: It would be great if we could both play college softball together. Karlie is a really good player in her own right but we would attend separate schools if the right situation came around for both of us.

FCS.com: Is distance a factor in your decision at all?
KH: We would really prefer to stay in the southeast so that our friends and family could come see us play.

FCS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
KH: My arm strength and quickness as well as my ability to hit for power are my strengths.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
KH: Hitting a home run and winning 1-0 in the semi-final game to advance to the GHSA State Championship game was a big highlight. Also, winning eight games back to back on Sunday to win the 2014 King of the Mountain Championship title was a really big thrill that I will never forget.

 

Quick Hitters (short answers)

 

What do you want to major in?
Criminal justice or sports medicine.

Fill in the blank… I’m happiest when:_________________
… I am with my family or playing softball with my teammates.

What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?
World peace.

Favorite food:
Mexican.

Least favorite food:
Chili.

Favorite place in the world:
The Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas

What’s your dream vacation?
To go to Bora Bora (Tahiti).

What makes you the most happy?
Playing sports.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I love the beach but hate to go into the water because I am terrified of sharks.

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Happy.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
My cell phone.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
I always draw an X in front of the plate before every at bat.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
Tim Tebow.

Team you love to hate:
New York Yankees.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Sleeping late on weekends off.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
The ability to fly.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Sam Hunt.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
My grandpa.

What did you want to be when you were little?
A veterinarian.

Favorite athlete:
Jennie Finch.

Nickname(s):
K-Dawg, Kay.

Something on your “must do” list:
Win a high school state championship.

Best thing about being from Georgia:
The weather and the friendly people.

Best prank you’ve ever pulled off or was done to you?
When I was little my teacher couldn’t tell me and Karlie apart and she would put a green sticker on Karlie’s hand. Whenever we wanted to go to the restroom or get some water, we would swap the sticker back and forth.