Wells a four-year letterwinner for the Western Carolina softball team, has joined the squad's coaching staff for the 2025 season as announced by head softball coach Jim Clift. Wells played in 179 career games with 52 combined starts as a leader for the Catamounts over the past four seasons.
In her debut season on the Catamounts coaching staff, the four-year standout worked with the WCU outfielders throughout her season in the Purple & Gold. As a team, the Catamounts posted their best team batting average since 2006 with a .282 mark missing the single-season program record by a single point. Junior Rylee Butler was a key contributor on the defensive side in right field with numerous key catches saving runs throughout the 2025 season as she also tallied the third-most doubles throughout 2025 for WCU with eight. Graduate student Imara Harrell picked up a two-homer game against her former squad N.C. Central.
"We are very excited to have Jeralynn join our staff," commented head coach Jim Clift. "As a player, JJ was an excellent , hold you accountable type leader. She has always been well respected by her teammates. I think those things will make the transition to coach much easier. From my perspective, Jeralynn has always bought into what we try to do here at Western and thoroughly understands our defensive and offensive philosophies. JJ has always been a good technician and love the craft of softball. JJ will be a tremendous addition to our staff."
Wells recorded 120 career hits including eight doubles and nine home runs, and scored 57 runs with 48 RBI in her time with the Purple & Gold. She added 23 career stolen bases to rank fifth in WCU's career record books, tallying the eighth-best single-season mark with 13 thefts as a senior.
A product of Menifee, Calif., Wells had her best offensive season in 2024 totaling 46 hits including a team-high tying eight homers with two doubles, 27 runs scored, and 27 RBIs. She concluded her Catamount career inside the top ten in numerous categories including tied for first in stolen base percentage (82.1%), tied for fifth in steals (23), and ninth in hit by pitches (13).
Wells was a mainstay on the conference academics list throughout her time in Cullowhee earning multiple Commissioner's Medal, Academic All-SoCon's, and Honor Roll honors. She was one of three Catamounts to receive a postgraduate scholarship honor from the Southern Conference following the conclusion of the past spring season joining teammate Savannah Baldwin and volleyball senior Eden Punch.
"Coaching has always been a passion of mine. To continue with my passion and teach both the returning and new Catamounts what I've learned over my four years and what has helped me be successful is a dream," said Wells. "I can't wait to put some 'JJ spice' into this program!"
Wells earned her bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics from Western Carolina in May 2024.
