University of Washington-bound Mustangs sign on the dotted line

Redmond High’s career center was packed with family, friends, teammates and coaches as two Mustangs sat center stage at a table decked out with a purple covering and purple and gold balloons.

Seniors Jennifer Cummings and Adithi Anand signed their national letters of intent on Nov. 13 to play fastpitch softball and golf, respectively, for the University of Washington.

As athletic director Dan Pudwill announced the girls’ accomplishments, he noted that the signing was a culmination of hard work, commitment and perseverance on the field and in the classroom.

Both girls committed to the UW about two years ago and were thrilled to finally sign on the dotted line. Following their senior seasons in the spring, college athletics awaits.

With a few tears of joy running down her face, Cummings noted after the ceremony: “The fact that it’s finally here and it’s finally official, just makes the whole thing more real. The validation of it, the hard work you put into it makes it worth it.”

Cummings, who has been the Stangs’ catcher since her freshman season when the team won the state championship, said she looks forward to having fun on the high-school scene each season.

“I think part of it is my team. You saw them here, they’re so supportive, and my coaches, those are some of the best coaches I’ve ever had, and I feel lucky to have that in high school,” she said.

Cummings sports a mammoth list of accomplishments, some of which are first-team all-KingCo and all-state for three years and two-time MaxPreps National High School All-American Team member.

Off the field, she cherishes the relationships she’s built and said they’ve made her into the person that Pudwill described. Cummings said she will bring those vital qualities to the UW.

Anand helped lead her Mustang squad to a state championship as well during her junior season. Individually, she finished second at state as a junior and freshman.

She’s a three-time all-KingCo first-teamer and state qualifier, an RHS athlete of the month and topped the age 14-18 division at the Washington Junior Golf Association state tournament in 2018.

Anand echoed Cummings’ sentiment about receiving validation via the signing for her diligence on the golf course.

“I’ve just been waiting and looking forward to this moment for the longest time. To finally be able to do something that I’ve dreamed of for the past five years, it feels so good,” she said.

She felt overwhelming love at the event from her family and her teammates and coach, who are like a second family.

“I know I couldn’t be here without them and their support,” said Anand, who aims to bring that caring quality to the UW.

Before Anand leaves for the UW, she wants to cement a legacy at RHS and pass on the team’s success and close-knit bond to those who follow in their footsteps. She’s the first RHS female golfer to receive a scholarship to the UW and is the first female in her family to attend college in the sports realm. On the male side of her family, her grandfather played basketball in college.

“I just wanna leave something here at Redmond that shows for the girls on the golf team that it is possible, and that if you put the hard work in, if you care enough, that it’s possible,” she said.