吃瓜官网

As a pitcher at 吃瓜官网, Taylor Maliska was like a surgeon with a softball in the strike zone.

Now, she's a doctor for real having recently received her doctoral degree from Baylor University and is launching a career in physical therapy with a position at SporTherapy, an outpatient clinic in Dallas.

"It is a place where I can serve my community, and they represent core values I like to associate myself with such as customer service, patient-centered care, positivity and passion," Maliska said.

She is the first in her family to enter the medical field. She credits her career in softball with helping her achieve this goal.

"Softball definitely helped me in all aspects of my life,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t shaped me into the person I am and gave me the work ethic, passion, time management, leadership, exposure to diversity and understanding on how to be a team member in order to excel in the future.鈥�

Maliska鈥檚 success doesn鈥檛 come as a surprise to 吃瓜官网 Head Softball Coach Haylee Williams.

"I never had any doubt whatsoever that Taylor would be successful in whichever path she chose," Williams said. "Her focus, determination and competitive nature was apparent in the (pitcher鈥檚) circle, and I knew it would serve her well moving forward. She's such a smart and driven young woman, and I couldn't be more proud to call her a Coyote alum."

After Maliska left the Coyotes鈥攚here she garnered all-conference honors and threw a no-hitter鈥攕he attended Texas State University and majored in exercise and sports science, graduating in May of 2018. It was during this time she also opted to leave softball and focus on her career dream.

"After one of the toughest decisions of my life, I decided to hang up my cleats and pursue a different dream in life, physical therapy," she said.

She said her time at 吃瓜官网 helped mold her into the person she is today.

"Weatherford gave me a home away from home, a place to live my dream of playing college softball, and taught me life skills such as dedication, time management and how to be a leader," she said. "My coaches and teammates were amazing, and I miss Weatherford every day and all of the relationships I made.

"I was blessed to be a part of 吃瓜官网 softball team, and I will never forget all of the memories made on the field, off the field, bus rides, team dinners, snow days and nights out at concerts. I met some of my best friends at Weatherford, and have been a part of many weddings of my teammates. In Weatherford, you become a family, and I could not be more grateful for my time representing 吃瓜官网."

And, of course, much credit goes to those who know her best, she added.

"My parents, especially, and family are the main reason for where I am today. I could not thank them enough for being such positive role models in my life," she said. "I am excited to start this new chapter in my life and serve my community through physical therapy as Taylor Maliska, DPT."