I will complete this tomorrow, but I am very thankful for our seniors tonight.
Last night, we honored our seniors between games. It was a tearful evening. I have coached many of these girls since middle school in basketball or softball. They have been such a great group of girls. The parents haven't been too bad either, suportive. They have raised fine young women. When I reflect, on this group, I think of how young they were when we first met. They were little middle schoolers just trying to fit in. I remember Repasy coming to our pitching camp in 5th grade! How could you forget that red hair? Boyt was always around as I coached her older sister in 7th grade basketball. Alexa, I met when she was in 7th grade playing softball. I coached her in 8th grade. Madison Cooper introduced herself to me after a little league game one Saturday. She was playing for Concord, the catcher. I remember right away thinking she had a decent arm as an 8th grader. Little did I know she'd be part of our program for the next four year. What a hoot, Cooper had been! Ashley, I too met when she was in 8th grade. She played little league for me. She was always eager to learn. I liked her work ethic right away! Julia, now she was a tough one. I met her when she was in 8th grade too, but she was so quiet, it was tough to get a feel for her personality.
I have truely loved every minute of coaching these great girls. They have grown to be dedicated hard workers. They each have a passion for softball that you just can't teach. It's one you're either born with or you're not. It's also an honor to know they walked the halls as leaders. They particpated in everything from other sports, to the honors art club, to NHS, to Select Choir, to Student Council, and Marching Band. I couldn't have asked for a better group of well rounded young ladies. I know thier parents are just as proud.
When these five tried out in March 2010, they were a little rough, but their intellengce and knowledge of the game, made us coaches, excited. They just needed some fine tuning. They made it through hell week like Champs! I had to pull five up as freshman. The next year, they all were on the varsity roster. Now, I want it noted that of the eight in their class, three could not handle Western Softball for a full four years. They did not make the roster their senior years...all by their own choice. These five have stuck out some hard times, but NOT ONE OF THEM has said the word 'DIE'. They keep fighting every day. They continue to improve. They are ready to fight for a District Title!
I could go on forever about each one of them. I am so thankful for all the great memories we have created in the Western Softball program the past four years.
I am so thankful for Alexa Pluta, Hannah Repasy, Hannah Boyt, Madison Cooper, Ashley Bonser, and Julia Zoski. They are quailty seniors that I will miss dearly. I hope they call come to visit me this summer, next year, and of course during our season next spring. Each of them is always welcome! I am thankful for our seniors!
