ENTERPRISE — Center fielder Sarah Brannan had no expectations when she filled out the application for the Lindy Callahan Scholar-Athletes award approximately a month ago.

Brannan, a senior at Enterprise who cheers and plays basketball and softball, was informed late last week that she was selected as the female Lindy Callahan award winner from the MHSAA’s geographical District 5. Given the impression she got when she filled out the application, the selection came as a surprise.

“I was told, ‘Good luck,’ because it’s difficult to get, so I was really shocked,” Brannan said. “I wouldn’t say I doubted myself, but I knew there would be a lot of good candidates and that it was going to be hard to get.”

A Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College signee for fast-pitch softball, Brannan has a grade-point average of more than 4 and scored a 25 on the ACT. As a winner of the award, she will be given $1,500 worth of scholarship money to help toward her education. In addition to sports, she’s also a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club, and she’s a leader in her school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.

It’s the school’s first Lindy Callahan winner in school history, softball coach Davey Dewitt said, and it couldn’t go to a more deserving person.

“It’s a big award for her and the school, and it says a lot about her character,” Dewitt said. “Sarah is a very driven young lady. On and off the field, and in the classroom, she excels at everything she does.”

Both Dewitt and Enterprise girls basketball coach Tim Reid described Brannan as a leader.

“She’s just a great kid,” Reid said. “She’s someone who gets out here and works extremely hard at what she does for us and on the softball field and in cheering, too. She’s just one of those kids that doesn’t come along very often.”

Brannan’s leadership is a common trait among the entire senior class that makes up his roster.

“I’ve had this group of seniors for a long time, and they’ll spoil you if you’re not careful,” Dewitt said. “It’s like they read my mind and know what to do. I don’t even call a bunt defense, because they know what to do, and she’s a big part of that. Even in the outfield, you can see her take charge out there. She knows what bunt coverages you’re calling in the infield, so she’s where she’s supposed to be every single time. It’s an honor for her to get this.”

Though her prep basketball career is over, Reid said Brannan’s impact over her high school career went beyond her physical skills, and her intelligence played a big part in her ability.

“It’s like having another coach on the floor,” Reid said of having someone as smart as Brannan. “In terms of just sheer effort and hustle and intelligence on the floor, she’s been very good over the last several years.”

Balancing all of her extracurricular activities while maintaining a high GPA means Brannan has little time for life beyond school, she said, though it doesn’t bother her.

“School comes first, and sports second,” Brannan said. “I definitely don’t have much time for a social life, but sports works that in I guess. Over the years, my teammates have turned into my family. I’ve found my best friends through playing sports, and I wouldn’t change doing all three (cheer, softball and basketball) for the world.”

The friendships aren’t the only thing that makes sports fun, Brannan added.

“I’ve learned a lot of life lessons through sports,” Brannan said. “I like to have fun and let go of life, and I’ve learned a lot that will carry me through life.”

Brannan is the daughter of Robin and Marlon Brannan. She is currently batting over .400 on the fast-pitch season.