Caleb Warnimont
Despite recently tearing his labrum, Caleb Warnimont, senior exercise science major and second basemen, has contributed to the Union baseball team for the past two seasons.
As a senior, Warnimont started 33 games before injuring his shoulder, had a .215 batting average and a .917 fielding percentage.
The Rio Grande, Ohio, native said he has been playing baseball since he could walk. His younger brother Tyler is also one of his teammates, a freshman on the team.
“It is neat getting to play with my brother again, I just wish it was under different circumstances and we had a better season,” Warnimont said.
However, despite having a tough season, Warnimont said being a collegiate athlete has taught him valuable lessons.
“Being an athlete has taught me how to take things as they come, how to adapt and how to be responsible as well as accountable,” Warnimont said. “It has also taught me how to persevere.”
Warnimont said he loves baseball because “it is the greatest game in the world, it is humbling and challenging, it is poetry in motion.”
Off the field, Warnimont is involved in a Bible study led by Union mathematics teacher, Christopher Hail. He also enjoys doing anything sports related and outdoors.
After graduation Warnimont plans to attend physical therapy school in order to get his doctorate in physical therapy.
Carter Mansolino
A native of Dickson, Tennessee, senior Carter Mansolino is a zoology major with a minor in psychology and catcher for the Union softball team.
Mansolino transferred to Union after playing one season of softball at the University of Tennessee at Martin, and has played with the Lady Bulldogs ever since.
A softball player since the age of four, Mansolino said she loves it so much because it is such a team sport and it has been a tremendous blessing in her life.
“I think that it is amazing to see individuals with so much talent come together and play together for the benefit of the whole,” Mansolino said. “It is incredible to watch everyone use their unique skills that God gave them in order to get the job done. I love it because when I am on the field I know exactly what I am supposed to be doing and nothing else matters.”
One of Mansolino’s favorite memories while playing softball at Union is winning the NCCAA national championship during the 2013 season, but she has also loved the relationships and friendships she has made over the last four years.
“Honestly, it’s the little moments that happen unexpectedly that I will always cherish,” Mansolino said. “All of the inside jokes, goofy moments and people are what I will always remember.”
As for post graduation plans, Mansolino is currently on the waiting list for two different veterinary schools, one in Tennessee and another in Virginia. She has been accepted to the University of Tennessee’s graduate school in order to obtain a master’s degree in comparative experimental medicine, but Mansolino has not yet made her decision.
Off the field, Mansolino enjoys being outdoors and hanging out with family and friends. She also has a passion for animals and volunteering at animal clinics.
Mansolino said she feels very blessed by the opportunity to play softball at Union and the lessons being a college athlete has taught her along the way.
“Softball has taught me about teamwork, professionalism, hard work, dedication, perseverance, mental toughness and friendship,” Mansolino said. “It may have been tough and taken a number of long, hard hours of blood, sweat and tears, but I wouldn’t have wanted my college career to have gone any other way. I love my team and will be forever grateful to have had this opportunity to accomplish a goal that I have had for myself since I was little.”
