mound that helped propel the team to receiving a ring as she picked up the state MVP along the way.“ I think every high school athlete wants to receive that award and it was special because it is an accomplishment that can in some ways show the many hours put into pitching. However, to me, it was never about receiving MVP. Everything we do is as a team, and I had a job to do just like my teammates. My job just gets more recognition most of the time, but I wouldn’ t be in the position to receive MVP without my teammates.”
The Lady Rebels made their way back to Conway in 2024 but came up just short finishing as runner-up to Mansfield. For Riverside, it left a sour taste in their mouth.“ Losing last year’ s state title game was definitely one of the hardest losses I’ ve experienced. The feeling of knowing if I would have pitched just a little bit better or not have walked that one run in. The outcome might have been different and was very hard to deal with. I’ ve come to learn that our losses don’ t have to be all on me, and that I have teammates who are behind me no matter what. I think that last year’ s loss can be used as motivation for this year to try to finish what we started. However, I will be proud of what my team has accomplished throughout our time together no matter if we end on a win or not.”
As mentioned Klaire has found a great deal of success on the hardcourt as well. Womack’ s name in the winter isn’ t found in the local newspaper as much as it is in the spring but that doesn’ t mean her role is any less.“ I definitely embrace my role as being a good defender. It wasn’ t really something I planned on being but it’ s been, in many cases, what the team needed in some important games. It doesn’ t always get recognition, but it’ s a role I came to love during my career.” Through her play it has helped lead her team to multiple wins along the way.“ Being a part of so many good basketball teams has definitely been something that I will always remember. I have had a great set of players to look up to who have come before me, and I’ ve also learned a lot from the ones who are younger than me. As far as winning I think because of our success, we have come to expect it of ourselves. I don’ t think we fully understand how much success we’ ve had as a team and individuals, but one day, I hope we can look back and appreciate what we’ ve accomplished together.”
Klaire’ s athletic career will continue beyond the high school circuit as she plans to pitch at the collegiate level.“ I really was not sure if I was going to go to college for softball until last summer. When I decided I wanted to play, Maylie, who is now my pitching coach reached out to me about a camp, and I decided that I should just put myself out there and try. I talked to the Arkansas Tech pitching coach at the camp, and she said that she would talk to the head coach about a visit. Coach Jones reached out and I went there and I loved it. I went on a few other campus visits as well but one thing that separated Tech was that I not only loved ATU’ s campus but also the girls I met there and the coaches. I can’ t think of anything more I could ask for from a future four year home.”
Until that time Klaire and the Lady Rebels have some unfinished business to attend to on the softball diamond.“ I know what everyone on my team is capable of because I ' ve seen it, and I know that they expect a lot out of themselves. Seven of us have been through two state title games, so I think we have the same mindset when it comes to winning. I’ ve been playing with Brooklyn, Kaylee( Cox), Annalee, and Katie( Ridge) since sixth grade, so we’ ve been through so many ups and downs together. I have also played a lot of softball with Carly Jo( Womack) and Ryley( Eakins) not just throughout my junior high and high school career but also in many travel ball games when we were younger. Since we’ ve all played together for so long, we’ ve developed a strong trust on the field which has helped us win a lot of games and hopefully will continue to do that this year.”
“ She’ s so competitive that it becomes contagious. Coaches around the State no longer say“ your pitcher”, they simply say“ Klaire”.”- Riverside Softball Coach TJ Eakins