2026 Star Reagan Haggard’s Talent Spans Multiple Sports
Reagan Haggard
Reagan
Haggard
3B/SS
Chapin | 2026
SC
was convinced she was going to play basketball in college until she realized she actually wanted to be outside playing softball. The Chapin, South Carolina native told everyone about her decision over the summer, but the information had yet to spread to the local Division II basketball coaches recruiting her.
“My basketball coaches were reaching out about college coaches planning to offer me,” Haggard said. “My high school coach called me and said he had three coaches telling him they're gonna offer you, where are you? I was like, ‘I'm sorry. I'm on the softball field. I'm trying to get recruited for softball.'”
The process worked. Haggard, a 2026 recruit, recently committed to East Tennessee State University after an official visit.
“The campus was so beautiful and so walkable, and they're really trying to rebuild the softball program right now,” Haggard said. “I really love being an underdog and trying to prove people wrong. I can really tell they're trying to do something there with their program, and the coaches really care about all their players.”
Haggard has grown up around sports her entire life. Her dad is the head athletic trainer for the University of South Carolina football team and her mom, a physician assistant and former AT, grew up playing softball, volleyball, and basketball.
“I genuinely think I've played every sport there is except for jousting,” Haggard said. “As I grew up, I figured out which ones I loved, and the main three have been basketball, softball and golf. I just love being competitive and trying to win and beat everyone.”
Despite some athletes deciding to specialize at certain ages, Haggard continues to play all three sports for Chapin High.
“I didn't want to stop playing any of them. My parents were obviously all for me playing as much as possible,” she said. “All my coaches helped me so much with all my different schedules, so I've gotten really lucky with coaches and people that have been there to help me throughout the way.”
Asked how she manages her schedule, Haggard laughingly said, “I have no clue.”
“I'm just kidding. It's definitely difficult sometimes, but I have just learned to prioritize,” she said. “We have a rule that if I'm in the school season that sport comes first.”
Haggard credits being a three-sport athlete with giving her an edge mentally in learning how to overcome mistakes and staying in good shape physically year round.
“It's also helped me with my time management and not getting burnt out on one sport,” she said. “I hear so many girls putting all their effort into softball and then they get to their senior year and they don't want to do it anymore.”
Haggard has primarily played shortstop and third base, but can play anywhere on the field. Offensively, she's just as versatile.
“My hitting gets a little jacked when I'm playing golf because the swings are so different. But I normally hit it pretty hard," she said. "Recently, I've been hitting it over (the fence), which is pretty fun. But I just try to get base hits, get on base or move runners around to get home.”
Haggard is the president of her school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes program. She plans to major in exercise science at ETSU and pursue a career as an AT or PA like her parents.
Given that her recruiting experience wasn't stereotypical, Haggard encourages every player to stay the course no matter their circumstances.
“I hear so many girls after September 1 (of their junior year) say they can't get recruited if they don't get a phone call. I didn't even know I wanted to play softball on September 1 and I still got recruited and committed to play,” Haggard said. “I would tell anyone don't give up; someone will see you. God has a plan for everyone.”
