WPCNR PRESSBOX. Letter From Ted O’Donnell, WPHS Varsity Softball Coach:
John,
With the summer softball season starting immediately after the Varsity season, I neglected to log on to your site. As a result, I did not see your poem about the WPHS Varsity Softball Team until just now. What a nice tribute to such a very special group of student/athletes. (Letter continues)
As you know, we lost to defending Class A New York State champions, John Jay, East Fishkill, 2-1 in extra innings. John Jay ended up being ranked #2 in the state. We ended up #12. Only 7 players in Class A in Section 1 made All-State. John Jay had 2 players and we had 2 players.
Cristin Pasqua was selected 4th Team shortstop and Tara Pollard was selected 6th Team pitcher.
We had 3 of the 12 Journal-News All-County 1st Team players with Cristin, Leslie Busch and Ciara DiFrancesco. We also had 2 players on the 2nd Team with Cyndi Carnaghi and Tara Pollard. Jesse Orfe was Honorable Mention. Those 6 players also made All-Section. In addition, Kelly O’Neil and Jessica Isaacs made All-League.
White Plains HS had more All-Section and All-County picks than any other school in Section 1 for the 2nd consecutive year.
The accomplishments of this special team are too numerous to list but here are a few: 3 consecutive undefeated League 1A titles. 48 League wins in a row. 77 wins in the last 4 years. 1st WPHS team to be ranked in the Top 10 in NYS (8th 5 weeks in a row), and all of the individual honors listed above.
Champions in the Classroom
While these kids are champions on the field, more importantly they are champions in the classroom and in the community. The 7 graduating seniors are all going on to college where some of them will continue their softball careers. Leslie (Busch) Division 1 Albany, and Cyndi (Carnaghi), Division 2, University of North Carolina/Pembrooke) received the first WPHS softball scholarships.
Cristin (Pasqua) was heavily recruited by Division 3 Union where she will play. Ciara (DiFransceso) received an academic scholarship and is entering the Honors program at the University of Maryland. Kathryn (Fitzmorris) will attend a well-known school in South Bend, Indiana (Notre Dame). Jesse (Orfe) will be attending Hofstra and Kara Younkin is intending to play at Division 3 Salve Regina.
An important part of their lives
We will all miss these great kids. Softball has been an important part of their lives. Whether or not they intend to play in college, they will have a lifetime of memories from their softball days. While we are a richer community because of what they have given us these past 4 years, they, too are richer. Softball has helped teach them the importance of hard work and what it means to be a part of a team.
The experiences they had on the practice and playing field, the relationships they formed and the life lessons they learned will be with them forever. I believe that these are the most important reasons kids should play sports.
Over the years, the trophies and the scrap books end up in boxes gathering dust in the attic. The character building that takes place is far more valuable. We as adults, the coaches, the parents and even the fans, need to work harder to keep this all in perspective.
We need to focus less on starting positions and playing time. In the final analysis, that is not what is important. It is the experience of playing and being part of a team.
I know this because this is what my players tell me.
As always, thank you for the coverage and the kind words.
Sincerely,
Ted O’Donnell
Varsity Softball Coach
August 16, 2002
Photo by WPCNR
POPULAR TRACK & SOCCER FIELD BEING REFURISHED BY CITY: The scene Monday as work was progressing on the Eastview Middle School Campus athletic track and soccer oval.