Gremillion joins her sister at UL-Lafayette

Kourtney Gremillion is one step closer to continuing the family tradition and becoming a softball player at UL-Lafayette.

Gremillion signed with the Ragin' Cajuns last month, but it wasn't until last week that she was joined by her family, coaches, teammates and friends at the Gold Dome to celebrate the next phase in her heralded softball career.

One of the many proud supporters that attended the signing party was St. Amant High School Principal Mia Edwards.

"When kids graduate and this is the final part of their high-school careers, I'm always excited to send them off on their new paths of success," Edwards said. "This is what I feel like when our athletes sign with universities because I know their success will continue at the next level."

For Gremillion, her career will continue with UL-Lafayette--a school that has been synonymous with the Gremillion name.

Her aunts, Stacie Gremillion and Sandy Percle Guidry were stars for the Cajuns. Both had their numbers retired.

Just last year, Kourtney's big sister, Kara capped off her amazing career at St. Amant by signing a scholarship with UL-Lafayette. She's now set for her freshman season.

Playing alongside her sister is a huge bonus for Kourtney.

"I'm very excited. Kara is a great teammate and a great player, and I'm glad that I get to play with her again," Gremillion said.

But strong family ties weren't the only reason she decided to make Lafayette her next stop.

"Once I went on my visit, it was a really easy choice," Gremillion said. "I liked the coaching staff, I liked what the program was all about and I liked the campus. I liked everything about it. It was the right place for me."

Like her sister Kara, Kourtney has been a multi-sport athlete for the Lady Gators throughout the years.

Besides softball, she has also excelled at volleyball. This past season, she was a first-team all-district selection for head coach Allison Leake.

"The things that she has been able to do in volleyball and softball are amazing. She has been able to exceed my expectations, and I know she's been able to do the same with Scott (Nielson)," Leake said.

For St. Amant softball head coach Scott Nielson, she has been a model of consistency.

In her junior year, she hit .540 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs as the Lady Gators made a run to the state semifinals. She earned first-team honors at both the state and district levels.

"I've had the good fortune of knowing the Gremillion family for roughly 40 years now," Nielson said. "It's a great family, and Kourtney provides great leadership--just like Kara did before her. It's a direct reflection, and you can say that the apple didn't fall far from the tree."

With Kourtney signing, it is just another crowning achievement for a St. Amant softball program that has seen so much talent pass through in the past 20 years.

"Kourtney is going to be nearly the 40th St. Amant softball player to sign a college scholarship," Nielson said. "That says a lot about the school, but it also says a lot about the players that came before her, the leadership they provided and the things she has been able to instill in the underclassmen now."

Now that she has signed, Kourtney is eying her final season as a member of the Lady Gators' softball team. She will be seeking a fourth straight trip to the LHSAA/Fast Pitch 56 State Softball tournament.

"I'm ready," Gremillion said. "It's going to be a lot different. There are going to be a lot of different people stepping up, but I'm looking forward to it."