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cnaiupiuusinp at nappanannocK County High School since the mid-70s.
Suddenly while lost in thought reliving the emotion of that warm May afternoon I ^vas startled by a loud snapping sound. I looked up to the very top Of the backstop to see a worn and tattered pennant blowing in the wind. It remains there and it reads, “SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONS — 2001.”
The old pennant seemed to beckon, “replace me.” I happen to know that is exactly what the Lady Panthers or socalled Girls of Summer have in mind.
The success that the Lady Panther softball team had in 2001 was unprecedented. Under the leadership of Coach Jon Smythe and Assistant Coach Richie Burke the commitment continues.
With the exception of Dana Caldwell, Kelly Atkins, Ryisha Cook, Eva Mills, and All-State catcher and current Division III, Region X “College Player of the Year”, Gwen Johnson, the same girls are on this year’s team.
The Lady Panthers have lost only one district game in the past two years. They currently boast a record of 14-1 which includes a non-district loss against a AA school that we happened to defeat in our second meeting.
Tb what do we credit their success in starting a chain reaction of respect for the RCHS athletic program, a school which is significantly the smallest of 22 schools in our Region B?
The answer is simple to identify but difficult to execute: passionate coaching, passionate players, a burning desire to be the best and an incredible amount of sacrifice and hard work.
Unlike the grapefruit leagues of major league baseball that have their seasons before the regular season starts, girls non-high school fastpitch softball begins at the end of the school year.
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