Perseverance and determination paid off for Early Lady Horn senior Kyleigh Caperton Thursday afternoon, as she signed with Ranger College to continue her softball playing career.

Caperton has overcome significant injuries and a deep personal loss en route to attaining a life-long goal.

“It means a lot to me,” Caperton said. “Being that my dad has passed, that was a dream of his and mine since I was a little kid. To achieve that dream is something I’m very proud of, and I know my dad would be proud of me, to be able to accomplish something like this.”

Her father, Joshua Caperton, passed away in 2015.

Caperton has also fully rehabilitated from not one, but two ACL surgeries, to reach the next level of athletics.

“Two ACL surgeries is definitely hard,” Caperton said. “A lot of people will not come back from that. It takes a toll on you, but it’s all about your mentality. Having a good mentality is what got me here, and knowing that God is always with me no matter what. If there’s a dream I want to achieve I’m going to achieve it, no matter what circumstances I’m in.”

Regarding her decision to attend Ranger, Caperton said, “It felt like home. Being there, it’s all family oriented. The people there are a big blessing to me. Being able to have that and Coach (Shelly) Paige there, knowing she’s not just looking at me as a player but as a person is something I need. I did get offered from Oklahoma Wesleyan, and that was a beautiful campus, but Ranger felt like home.”

Ranger is looking at Caperton as a shortstop and outfielder, and to change her to a slap hitter due to her speed. At Early last year, Caperton played shortstop, the outfield, third base and even pitched, but is expected to spend most of her senior campaign at shortstop.

“I want to accomplish a lot,” Caperton said. “It’s my senior year so I’m definitely going all out.”

During her junior campaign at Early, Caperton batted .473 with three inside-the-park home runs, 22 runs scored, 11 stolen bases and a .982 fielding percentage. As a freshman at Brownwood, Caperton was named the district’s newcomer of the year. Her sophomore campaign at Early was derailed by an ACL injury.

“Kyleigh is the true definition of a fighter,” said Lady Horns head coach Kelbie Case. “She has come back from two ACL surgeries in her career along with shoulder injuries as well. She is a leader on the field vocally and physically, she is going to outwork everyone around her, and she is by far the fastest softball player I’ve ever coached. I’m blessed to have one more season with her and we are going to miss her big time next year. Ranger College gained an amazing athlete and person.”