As the softball season nears its end, the spotlight shines brightly on eight exceptional seniors who have been pillars of strength, leadership, and growth for the team: Hanna Schultz, Norah Schriever, Gretchen Alford, Gwyn Power, Olivia Carr, Miah Cook, Kylee Wood, and Maya Whisenant.
These athletes have not only contributed their talents on the field but have also shaped the team’s spirit and resilience over the years. Their journey, marked by perseverance through challenges and a commitment to uplifting their teammates, culminates in a celebration of their hard work and lasting impact on the program.
“This group of girls is the group that I had when I first became the head coach, so I started with them, and so this emotional, it’s big. They’ve been with me for a lot, we’ve gone through a lot together,” said head coach Christian (Christy) Barns.
Coach Christy’s commitment to cultivating leadership is evident in her approach to the team’s culture. She requires all seniors to attend a leadership camp, a prerequisite for becoming a team captain.
“All of the seniors that I have have gone through that, and it’s a requirement to be captain. They all have the leadership qualities, and I count on them a lot to step up and help the younger girls and freshmen,” Barns said. “I expect a lot more from this group because I know what they’ve been through, and I know they can do hard things.”
This leadership has been vital as the team has faced challenges both on and off the field. Senior Gwyn Power reflected on the lessons learned through perseverance.
“Through my times of playing, I have learned how hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. The time you put into something will always come back for the greater good,” Powers said.” I’ve also learned about teamwork-working with others when there are problems and cheering people on when they’re having bad days.”
Despite injuries and setbacks, Gwyn’s determination remained strong.
“My proudest moment of the season has been that I have been able to stick out what has happened to me throughout the season. I’ve come back from injuries and hard times and continued to cheer my team on no matter what.”
Senior Miah Cook, a multi-sport varsity athlete, echoed the importance of leadership and personal growth in a sport where leading by example is essential.
“Softball is such a leadership sport-you kind of perform how you practice. When you’re showing younger girls a skill or a way to hit, you have to perform it because they watch you during games.” Cook said.
Miah also spoke about overcoming nerves and trusting her abilities.
“When I first started playing, I was always nervous to hit and mess up. As I got older, especially in my senior year, I got more relaxed and trusted my skill more.” She emphasized the need for hard work: “You can’t just sit around waiting for improvement; you have to chase after it and work as hard as you can.”
The growth of seniors is not only about skill but also about mindset. Senior captain Gretchen Alford shared how she has learned to manage her attitude and embrace teamwork.
“I used to get caught up on things in the game I couldn’t control. This year, I’ve focused on keeping my attitude up and showing the girls it’s okay to be down but important to grow from it.” Alford said.
These players also evolved from timid freshmen to people who value constructive criticism.
“I’ve really started to appreciate the tips from coaches and teammates and learned to benefit from them.” Alford said.
Overall, these girl’s main hope for the future is equity among all of Highlands sports teams.
“I want there to be more funding because it’s never gotten enough recognition. I’d love to see more people in the stands and more equality overall,” Alford said.
Coach Christian’s pride in the seniors is clear, as is her sadness at their departure.
“I’m super sad to lose them because I’ve grown so close to them. They have a lot of respect for me, and I have so much respect for each of them,” Barns said.
Their journey, marked by early struggles and eventual success, stands as a testament to what can be achieved through perseverance, teamwork, and leadership.
This year’s seniors have left an indelible mark on the program, not only through their athletic achievements but through the character and unity they brought to the team. Their legacy will inspire future players to push through challenges and grow both on and off the field.
“They’ve just fought, and they’ve gone through a lot of adversity. My first year, we only won one game. They’re such a talented group of girls, but getting them to mesh and play together was tough,” Barns said. “This year, they finally clicked, and it’s been remarkable to witness what I’ve known they could do all along.”
