The Saint Leo University softball team returned home to a championship celebration on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium in Saint Leo. The team, led by fifth-year senior Shyanne Waller from Floral City and Citrus High School, won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II championship. A couple hundred fans greeted the team, wearing green and gold and carrying signs, while television cameras from several Tampa stations rolled.
Waller was stunned by the crowd, saying, “It was crazy, looking around and seeing everyone, that’s when I realized how many people have touched me in the last five years and how many people I’ve touched.” The team was welcomed home with a police escort and a chartered bus. The celebration was a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication, as well as the support of their fans and community.
The Saint Leo softball team’s achievement marks a historic moment for the university, being the first softball team to win the NCAA Division II championship. The team’s victory was celebrated with a “Welcome Home” sign and photos with fans. Shyanne Waller holds up the NCAA Division II National Championship trophy outside Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium in Saint Leo on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Members of the Saint Leo softball team pose with the NCAA Division II National Championship trophy outside Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium in Saint Leo on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The team’s celebration was attended by local fans and media, highlighting the team’s achievement and the community’s support.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
