Nansemond River High School senior softball standout Calah Savage has long been pretty certain where she would play college ball, even though she made the choice official only recently.

“I was considering (junior college) more than four-year universities, but there wasn’t really any competition once I saw (Christopher Newport University),” she said. “That’s the school I wanted to go to.”

A visit to CNU last spring helped her seal the decision, which she formalized during a recent signing ceremony at Nansemond River that included family, friends and coaches.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play college softball, and I’ve been trying to make that dream happen for a long time now,” Savage said on the day of the signing. “And I’d like to thank one of my old coaches, Wayne Vick, for helping me get into contact with (CNU) Coach (Keith) Parr.”

Vick serves as an assistant coach on Parr’s staff at CNU.

Savage’s father, Guy Savage, said he was proud of his daughter for signing to play at the next level.

“I’m glad to see she’s getting what she wanted,” he said. “She was looking straight at CNU, that’s what she aimed for, and that’s where she ended up.”

Sherry Savage, Calah Savage’s mother, said playing college softball is her daughter’s dream come true, “so we’re real excited, and I’m glad she’s local, so we’ll see a lot more of her than if she was further away.”

Nansemond River coach Gabe Rogers, who ran the signing ceremony, said, “Any time a player gets the opportunity to go to the school that they want to go to, it’s always a positive.”

As for what sold her on Christopher Newport University, Calah Savage said, “I love the coaches there, I love the program that (Coach Parr’s) running, and it’s a bonus that they’re ranked nationally. So, that’s a great thing, and I love it there.”

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s pre-season poll ranked the CNU Captains 12th in the nation.

“Obviously, CNU is one of the top Division III programs,” Rogers said, praising the ability of Parr, who is in his 13th season as coach of the Captains, holding a .754 winning percentage.

Savage was recruited by Christopher Newport to play catcher, the same position she plays for the Lady Warriors and her travel ball team, the Virginia Lady Eagles.

Rogers said he thinks Savage will be a good fit for the Captains. Knowing her ability, he said she could become a regular presence on the field as a freshman.

“I do think she has that opportunity, but she realizes that she’s going to have to work hard for it,” Rogers said.

As an NCAA Division III school, CNU does not offer athletic scholarships, but Savage has been promised a roster spot.

Unlike many student-athletes, Savage did not especially want to play at the Division I level.

“Education is more important to me than softball,” she said. “I have four, five years left of my softball (career), and I’d rather plan the next 40 years of my life instead of the next four.”