Christie Collins is a three-sport phenom at Saugerties High School, at least during a normal school year. With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling some of her junior year and reshuffling much of her senior campaign, the Class of 2021 standout hasn’t been able to compete since early last March.
“It has been very frustrating not being able to play sports since last year,” Collins said. “I have had so many goals and dreams for playing as a senior at Saugerties High School including winning another section title in basketball and softball. I also felt like I was going to reach 1,000 points this year in basketball. Since our basketball and volleyball season was cancelled I’m hoping that we will still be able to play softball to finish out my year.”
If there’s one sport Collins should poetically be able to play, it’s softball: She’ll be leaving basketball and volleyball behind in the fall when she devotes herself fully to softball, which she’ll be playing at the NCAA Division I level with the University at Albany. The Great Danes athletic program is in the American East Conference.
Collins signed with UAlbany earlier this year.
“I knew UAlbany was the right fit for me after I visited the campus for a softball camp,” Collins said. “I saw how knowledgeable and intense all of the coaching staff is and how they work with their players. I had met the UAlbany coach before through my Ulster Fillies coach Rick Spriggs, but after I visited the campus I knew UAlbany was right for me.”
Not just an athletic star, Collins has consistently made the academic honor roll at Saugerties High. She’ll be bringing those same expectations for excellence to college.
“I will be studying biology because I would like to be in the medical field,” Collins said.
When she isn’t in the lab, Collins will be on the diamond.
“My favorite sport has always been softball,” she said. “I first started playing softball when I was eight years old practicing with my older sister in Little League. My dad was the coach and he would have me participate with the older kids…I participate in travel softball and have since I was nine. I’ve played on the Ulster Fillies and the Dutchess Debs.”
Collins played JV basketball in eighth grade before moving up to the varsity team as a freshman; she was also on the JV volleyball team through ninth grade before heading up to the varsity team as a sophomore. During her junior basketball season as a Sawyer, she was a top 50 All-Section IX selection and All-Conference Mid-Hudson Athletic League.
Collins has played with the Hudson Valley Rebels travel volleyball team and the Saugerties Sonics AAU softball team as well as the Fillies and Debs.
“I also loved playing basketball with the Saugerties Sonics and Coach (Heather) Fanelli,” Collins said. “I started that when I was eight. When I was younger, my three older sisters and I would always compete with each other. Ever since I was young I always have loved winning.”
Collins has taken that spirit with her throughout her time as a Sawyer; she feels as though competing for Saugerties High has been an honor.
“Playing for Saugerties High School as a Sawyer has always been the most important team for me,” Collins said. “I have played for many different travel teams, but when I put on a Sawyers jersey I represent my school and my community. When I was playing for Little League, my dad would always tell the team that he was getting everyone ready to play for the Sawyers varsity and that always stuck with me.”
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