The Making of a Champion

Way back in August, soccer season began with two-a-days.  Amidst the pain of mile after mile of running, the senior girls chose the theme, "One team, one heart, one mission" for the season.  It was printed on the back of T-shirts for a reminder to the girls and their fans.

By the time that the play-offs arrived, the girls were focused on the final task of their mission.  They would have to beat Payson, then Blue Ridge, and finally Show Low to capture the title.  The week prior to the Championship game, the senior girls again energized their team through all sorts of treats and surprises.

By Friday morning, the team was ready for the challenge.  Traditionally, our booster club provides a send-off for each team as they head out of town for their state tournament contests.  As you can see, the girls were given balloons and bags full of goodies.  But it doesn't stop there.  Once the team loads up on the bus, the police (and occasionally the fire trucks) lead a caravan of cars as they escort the bus through town.  With sirens blaring, and horns honking, the bus swings by both the middle school and the elementary school.  All of the students are let out of class to wave and cheer the make-shift parade.  The line of cars continue until they reach Grover's Hill, and the bus continues on its way.

Another thing I love about this little town (and most all little towns) is the faith that strongly runs through all activities.  Each team that my kids have played on, has always begun their games with a prayer.  Whether it is on the field, in the locker room, or on the court, they don't start competing until they have recognized the blessings of participation.  This picture brings tears to eyes.  Not that it is unusual, but because of the immediacy of their actions.  One of the teammates had just gone down with a serious injury.  Within a minute these younger girls on the sidelines were in a huddle praying for her.  Additionally, after they won the state championship, one of the girls reminded them that they should offer a prayer of gratitude.  So once again, the team huddled together (this time in the parking lot of Texas Roadhouse) to offer their thanks.

I love watching Syd play because she is not afraid of anything.  She is stretching to get to five foot four inches-but her coaches can count on her to get in there and challenge much larger girls. 

Things have changed since I was a kid.  Back then, parents and fans could join their athletes on the field to celebrate a win or mourn a loss.  Now, the parents are kept behind a fence or up in the stands while the team is awarded the trophy.  The powers that be (Boo AIA!) even keep the team in the middle of the field for pictures.  Luckily, our girls sprinted over to the stands and offered up a bow for all of the support their received.

As the team arrived back in St. Johns, they were greeted once again by the sirens of the police cars and fire trucks.  This time, they took a victory lap around the town while friends and family celebrated cheered their success.  Someone had posted big signs through out town proclaiming their new title.  One of them stated, "One Team, One Heart, One Mission--Accomplished!"