Hillgrove Softball
Erica Carleton
Erica Carleton
Overall as a school many times students tend to focus on the football team and forget about the softball team. They play at in the same season, sometimes even on the same day just different times. To be a part of a great team you need dedicated players who are willing to put in the work and sacrifice what is needed. The girls' softball team works hard over the summer just to be ready to compete in the fall. They give up so much and put in a lot of time to be able to perform at a high level. Last year they went undefeated in the region and made it through playoffs to go to state where they finished fourth overall.
They did not just do this overnight; it took a lot of time, effort, and hard work. Each player must stay on top of their grades, show up to practice, and want to be there working as hard as they can. In order to play any high school sport, a student must be academically eligible. Renia Checo, a freshman who plays for the Hillgrove softball team, “Right after softball I go home and do my homework, but I always know that the coaches have my back and will help”. It is so important to prioritize and learn time management when you are a student athlete. Sometimes that might mean instead of going out with team after a game going home and studying for a test or finishing homework.
The coaches are just as involved as the players. They have to plan practices, attend every event, worry about the health of each player, and so much more. Not only all that but they also have to worry about school. Given they are teachers as well, they still have to worry about students. For the most part teachers understand how hard it can be to balance the schedule of a student-athlete. When I spoke to Coach Alverson, the coach of the girls softball team, he stated, “One of the hardest things for student -athletes to understand is what exactly goes into priorities and how they need to prioritize the things they do.” On top of all this, try to imagine adding in a social life. For many of these girls that comes last.
Now seeing how much work and time this girls put into the sport, take the time and go see a game. They are a great and hardworking team. Show up for them because they work so hard to represent Hillgrove as best they can. Be proud to be a Hillgrove student.
They did not just do this overnight; it took a lot of time, effort, and hard work. Each player must stay on top of their grades, show up to practice, and want to be there working as hard as they can. In order to play any high school sport, a student must be academically eligible. Renia Checo, a freshman who plays for the Hillgrove softball team, “Right after softball I go home and do my homework, but I always know that the coaches have my back and will help”. It is so important to prioritize and learn time management when you are a student athlete. Sometimes that might mean instead of going out with team after a game going home and studying for a test or finishing homework.
The coaches are just as involved as the players. They have to plan practices, attend every event, worry about the health of each player, and so much more. Not only all that but they also have to worry about school. Given they are teachers as well, they still have to worry about students. For the most part teachers understand how hard it can be to balance the schedule of a student-athlete. When I spoke to Coach Alverson, the coach of the girls softball team, he stated, “One of the hardest things for student -athletes to understand is what exactly goes into priorities and how they need to prioritize the things they do.” On top of all this, try to imagine adding in a social life. For many of these girls that comes last.
Now seeing how much work and time this girls put into the sport, take the time and go see a game. They are a great and hardworking team. Show up for them because they work so hard to represent Hillgrove as best they can. Be proud to be a Hillgrove student.
