Usually, freshman don't step right in to a college program and start right away.

Don't tell that to Mt. Mercy Academy senior Kayla Larson, who is looking to make a name for herself next year when she moves on top play softball at Mercyhurst College.

"After seeing a couple of their games, I definitely think I can handle and step in and succeed," said Larson. "It's not anything I can't handle."

Larson, along with fellow senior Alison Benz, who is be heading to Gannon next fall, recently signed her letter of intent at a ceremony held at Mt. Mercy Academy earlier this week.

After a long process, Larson is glad she can now focus just on softball and not where she is headed to college.

"I started off by just showcasing in general, like at camps and different tournaments," said Larson after she signed her letter. "One day after a tournament, Mercyhurst contact me for a tour of the school and I fell in love with it and I talked to a coach and everything kind of panned out from there."

Besides falling in love with the school, Larson also noted the academics, especially the strong bio program the school has to offer.

"It was pretty much a combination of both [academics and athletics], she said. "They have a really strong bio program and a really strong softball program and the fact that I could have the best of both worlds was the best."

With winning the title last season, Larson said it put a lot of focus on the team, which then brought more colleges to watch and scout the players.

"It definitely drew people here," she said. "Every time they see Mt. Mercy Academy they [colleges] are going to say oh they were champions and they are going to follow us."

Larson went on to say, however, that none of this would be possible if it wasn't for the people at Mt. Mercy Academy.

The academy helps mold young girls in to young women by the time they leave the academy in four years.

"They tough me how to balance academics and athletics," Larson said. "The kind of instilled to work hard and stay true to myself and make sure that I am confident enough on the field."

Added Mt. Mercy Principal Margaret Staszak. "I would like to congratulate both Alison and Kayla for their academic and accomplishments while attending Mt. Mercy Academy. Alison and Kayla are both bright, talented, determined young women, who will find great success in college and in life beyond. These young women exemplify the type of students that Mt. Mercy Academy produces. We are very proud to call them women of Mercy."

With the signing behind her, Larson can now focus on keeping the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association title in South Buffalo.

"It definitely takes all the pressure off," she said. "Grant it, I am still going to go out there and work hard, and make sure we try and defend that title. It definitely takes off most of the pressure."