By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(May 5, 2024 7:30 AM ET) Former Grass Lake High School athlete Lexi Bargesser told Olivia Turner she could do “something big” four years ago when she was a freshman in high school.
Turner believed it.
It looks like Bargesser – now a Division 1 basketball player at Indiana University – was correct.
Turner, a senior at GLHS is breaking Michigan High School Athletic Association records in softball.
Two weeks ago, she went over the 304 mark for most RBIs in a career to become tops in the state.
Turner already owns the record for most doubles in a career – 80 going into this season.
And she is right up there in RBIs, doubles, and singles in a season.
Turner believes in the support she has gained from Bargesser, Grass Lake coaches, and community members has helped spur her toward greatness.
“I felt so much love after I broke the RBI record,” Turner said. “There were so many texts, calls, and posts of Facebook from people I didn’t even know.
“People congratulated me and said they have been watching me throughout the years.”
Turner said she grew up going to the gym with her parents and two older sister – Allison and Madelyn. They are 10 and 7 years older than Turner so she grew up watching and wanting to be like her sister.
Hence, a love of the gym and competition was born. Despite being a Division 1 signee, she still played volleyball and basketball at Grass Lake.
“I spent a lot of time peppering with my older sister,” Turner said. “Now I am in that position as the older player.”
Turner said she and other athletes at Grass Lake work with younger players to develop skills. The Grass Lake senior said there is “a lot of talent coming up in the future.”
Turner signed with Bradley University – a Division 1 softball program – two years ago to play softball. She had made connections with Sarah Willis while she was at Bowling Green University and moved with her when Willis left to become the coach at Bradley.
“I made a strong connection to Coach Willis and loved the girls on the team,” Turner said. “I talk to her about every two weeks.
“She said they are building a fantastic bond on the team.”
Turner said she will major in nursing and has been accepted directly into the nursing program.
Turner will probably miss the small-town feel of Grass Lake but remember those she came in contact with.
“I have been blessed to play for Roger Cook for four year and all the great teammates,” Turner said. “I am happy with what we did.
“No matter what happened, we always came out as one family.”
MHSAA record book listings for Olivia Turner
Doubles in career – 80 (through her junior season, leads the state)
Singles in season – 100 (2023) tied for first place
RBIs in career – 278 (passed 304 two weeks ago to move into the lead)
RBI in one season – 102 (2023, second place)
Doubles in season – 30 (2023, tied for fifth most)
Batting average for season .714 (seventh best recorded in state history)
Home runs in career – 45 (through junior season, needs 28 to tie first place)
