Page 109 - 2008.Millard.North

With a competitive drive, varsity slid their way into the state tournament.

Startin g off the seaso n winnin g six of their first eight state tournament. Although they lost, they left with a
games helped to boost the confiden ce of th e varsity se nse of accompli shm ent because they made it so far.
softba ll team . However, winnin g wasn't the only way the "Nobody thought we could make it to state, but we
team built up their se lf-esteem. proved them wrong," Peterson sa id . I
Before the start of every ga me, the team got their For se nior Lauren Larson, ste pping up to the plate I
adrenalin e rush from th e enthusiastic speeches from had a whole new meanin g.
coaches and players on the team. "I felt that I had a big responsibilit y trying to keep the
"jenn y Brown and Lau ren Larson gave funny and en- team focused. Sin ce I was the onl y se ni or I needed to
couraging speeches that sounded light-h earted but had share my experi ences with oth ers to help prepare th em
a helpful message," sophomore Cassie Peterson sa id, for the va rsity level," Lars on said .
"Thespe eches became tradition." For both varsity and juni or vars ity, pla ye rs ga ined
An.oth er tradition practiced by the team was getting more than improved playing skills throughout the
together to feast on ca rb dinners to prepare them for season. Th e players developed new attitud es towards
their ~me the next day. Not only did it energize them, determination and teamwork.
but it brought the team closer together. "At the start of th e jV season, we didn't really play
"Th e ca rb dinners were awesome; as a team, but towards th e end we learn ed
I loved the spaghetti and the team to come together and work off each other's
bonding was great!" juni or Kaitlin abi liti es," so ph omore jordan Galvan sa id .
Porter sa id. Flavorfu l meals before ga mes and strong
After being declared district cham- support from coaches and pla ye rs helped
pions, varsity earn ed their ticket to the pave th e to an unforgettable season.

Freshman Sam Novak receives the ball at
second base and prepares to throw it to the first
baseman. Th e Mustangs put up a strong fight,
but they were defeated by the Marian Crusad-
ers 2-3 . photo by Brittany Reese

Sophomore Alli son Shirk throws the ba ll to the
pitcher during one of the games at state. Every
year at state, the players wore green tape on
their shoes. photo by Brittany Reese

"Having so many "Scrimmaging
new girls made the against each
season fun, and other at practice
we had no trouble really helped us
winning districts." improve."

-Jenny Brown, 11 -Madison Srb , 1 0