Gigi Smiley is ITG Next’s 2026 Glynn Academy Female Athlete of the Year, presented by Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery.
Smiley, a senior, is a second baseman for the Red Terrors softball team and was a primary reason for the team’s record-setting success last season.
She won the Glynn Academy softball team’s Offensive Player of the Year award for her performance in 2025.
Smiley batted .402 for the season, collecting 41 hits, including eight doubles, three triples, and two home runs, while driving in 19 RBIs. She also scored 33 runs and stole 17 bases.
She was also named a First-Team All-Region selection for the 2025 season, helping lead the Red Terrors to a 23-9 overall record. The mark set the school and county record for most wins in a season while clinching the city championship.
Glynn Academy head softball coach John Welborn, who also serves as the school’s head baseball coach, took over the softball team this past year and said he was grateful to have had the chance to coach Smiley before she graduated.
“It was an honor to get to coach Gigi for her senior season,” Welborn said. “She handled her business on and off the field as a professional, and as a player she was willing to do anything to help the team. Having a player like Gigi is what makes this profession so rewarding.”
He praised Smiley for her performance and character on and off the field.
“Gigi Smiley has exemplified excellence both on and off the field, earning the ITG Next Glynn Academy Athlete of the Year award through her remarkable skill, dedication, and leadership,” Welborn said. “Known for her relentless work ethic and competitive spirit, Gigi has consistently elevated her team’s performance while setting a standard of sportsmanship that inspires her peers. Her achievements reflect not only her athletic talent, but also her commitment to personal growth, teamwork, and community engagement, which makes her a standout role model at Glynn Academy.”
Smiley will continue her softball career at the collegiate level with her commitment to St. Johns River State College in Palatka, Florida. The Vikings won the NJCAA Division II National Championship in 2024.
