Gainesville, FL

Rylie Blankenship is this week's Santa Fe Saints UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Tuesday Teammate of the Week!

Blankenship enters her second season with Santa Fe Softball in 2026. The 5'2 outfielder is from Bradford County, Florida and played at Bradford High School.

During her first season in 2025, Blankenship hit .308 and was just one of six players to keep a batting average above .300. She played in 31 games, starting in 21 of them primarily in the outfield and scored 17 runs off 16 hits, reaching base 40% of the time.

Blankenship has been a leader for her team this fall, especially helping the newcomers with their transition to Santa Fe College. She has also worked closely with the returning players to set the standard for Santa Fe Softball and ensure that everyone is on the same page for when the 2026 season gets started in January. Blankenship is an active member of the S.A.A.C. and brings teamwork, brainstorming, and plenty of ideas to the table for what's best for all Santa Fe student-athletes.

She is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and was named 2024-25 All-Saints Academic Team as well as 2024-25 FCSAA Academic All-State.

UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine sponsors a "Teammate of the Week" selection from all five Santa Fe Saints sports teams. The Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), the SF sport specific coaches, and the athletic director nominate deserving Saints for this weekly award.  Teammates of the week will embody the character qualities the SAINTS (Seek, Aware, Integrity, Noble-Minded, Thankful, and Safe) emphasize and value.  SF Student-Athletes who impact their team, community, classmates, and families for the better are the best candidates for this weekly award hosted by proud SF partner UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.