From left to right: sophomore Britney Horvath, freshmen Shannon May and Sarah Iwinski show their team spirit by holding teammate senior Kelsey Hartman before the game against Mishawaka. Photo By: Casey McDonald
By Casey McDonald
Spring has arrived and soon PHS will kick off another spring season of sports. The softball girls are excited for the new team that has been put together for the 2010-11 season.
Most girls have been playing softball for years, but for some, this is their first year playing for PHS, or even playing softball at all. Senior Kelsey Hartman said she has been playing softball for a long time. “I can’t remember when I actually started playing. I probably started playing because my parents made me.” Also new player, freshman Shannon May said she has played for five years, “I had nothing to do during the summer so I decided to do softball.” Freshman Sarah Iwinski says that she started when she was in fourth grade, “because it looked fun!” Sophomore Britney Horvath says that she has been playing softball since fifth grade and started because she wanted to play the sport. May says that, “It feels good to be playing softball again. The only difference between this year and the past years I have played is we do a lot more running.”
It is different for everyone to come back and play another year. The new players had to get used to playing on a high school team. May said, “I like the teams this year. I do believe that the team will get along and enjoy the season this year.” Iwinski said it is different because you are playing to win, “but it feels really cool to be part of a high school team.” Hartman says that, “it feels really good to be coming back. I love the fresh start that we as a team have and every one’s optimism.” While Horvath says it is exciting, “and I can’t wait for the games to begin!”
Last year, the girls did not do too well in the regular season, but hope to improve this year. Horvath said that the coaches are having them do more sprints and conditioning to prepare for the new season. “We expect to do better because we have conditioned a lot more for this season than we have before.” Hartman said that they expect to be better than last year. “We ended our season last year really strong so we’re hoping to pick up from there and keep building.” Iwinski said, “The coaches are always pushing us to do our best and try hard. They always encourage us to be the best.”
To most of the players, the team is like one big family. “I believe that we all get along really well. I think we all have a good time together and I feel like this will be a great season,” Iwinski said about her freshman season. Horvath said that she thinks that this year everyone will get along pretty well. “There is always a little drama, but what sport does not [have drama]?” Hartman said that she feels that the team is very close. “We’ve been playing softball together for a long time so it is easy for us to get along.”
The team members are also looking forward to what happens in the season besides practices and games. Hartman said that she’s looking forward to team breakfast. “Team breakfast is a time where we can just chill and hang out. The food is a definite plus too!” Horvath says that she is looking forward to team dinners, “because they are always fun.” May said that she is looking forward to playing softball, “I enjoy playing so much!”
All schools worry about what school is going to be the biggest competitor. “Everyone is a competitor for us. As coach Kelso said, ‘we are playing to win.’ So, I think we should not go into a game with a big head or go in scared. We should just do what we do,” Iwinski said. Hartman said that honestly, almost all of the teams are their biggest competitor. “They are all really good and we need to step up our game to beat them.”