ACTIVE SPORTING

PAGE 7

By: Kelli Grashel

By: Monica Gonzalez

     Hey there, Falcons. Are you a fan of baseball? If you are, then you might be interested in hearing some of the things about your Bishop Dunne softball team. The season opened in February and continues until April. If the team makes it to playoffs then it will go through May.

     The team works very hard to get where it wants to be. In order to become better at what they enjoy doing, they need to practice. Head Coach Michael Johnson expects to see each player at practice every day after school from 3:30-5:30 p.m., when they are expected to give as much effort as possible in order to improve.  The practices are at the softball field every day, unless they are preparing for a game.

     Speaking of preparing for games, after they pray before every game, the team says, “Peace, love, and happiness,” which comes from Mr. Vince Langbein, a former teacher, to whom the courtyard right outside the cafeteria is dedicated.

Ashley Martinez waiting for her turn to bat. Photo taken by Monica Gonzalez.

     After the game, they get back to their bench and they say their own version of the quote. The Falcon softball team’s quote is “peace, love, and softball.” They recite this mantra after every game—no matter what the outcome.

     “Softball is my life! It is a great sport! I have been playing for six years,” shares Sophomore Ashley Martinez. Some girls might not have played as long as she has, but they are all passionate about softball.

     Whether they win or lose, all members of the team are winners as long as they try their hardest out on the field. There is one player who Coach Johnson has definitely seen play her hardest and who has improved the most. She is freshman Aubrey Reed.

     “She listens all the time and works very hard,” says Coach Johnson.

     The girls might have a tough schedule, but they really look forward to their games against Bishop Lynch and Ursuline and all the district games because, like any other sport or team, their goal is to be on top and make it to playoffs. Be on the lookout for your Falcons softball team and go show your support for the team!

Softball Roster 07-08

Head Coach: Michael Johnson

Manager: Rachel DeLeon

Lauren Bailey

Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson

Whitney Davenport                

Monica Dominguez

Amanda Garcia

Hannah Gross

Rocio Ibarra

Mollie Imlach

Antonnia King

Ashley Martinez   

Hannah Neill–Russell

Aubrey Reed

Morgan Smith 

     Where did the tennis ball go? Did you see that hit? Well, I bet you wish you had because the tennis team is hitting them all over the place and leading our team to triumph. As the boys’ and girls’ teams prepare for district, they need more support from their fellow Falcons to help them on their road to success.

     Bishop Dunne’s tennis team let their racquets do the talking when they get on the tennis court. They are really bringing out their “A” game this year, and they are ready to go to “State ’08,” as they say.

     The team is younger than it has been before. “It’s a very young team this year, mostly freshmen and sophomores, but there are a lot of strong players who work well together,” says Coach Dies.

     They are usually disappointed by the lack of support from the other students because not many people come to cheer on the tennis team, but they really don’t know what intensity they’re missing.

     “No one usually comes because people don’t know how good we are,” comments sophomore tennis player Andrew Kreis.

     Well, don’t feel bad that you’ve missed out on the action because there are still a few chances left to see the Falcon tennis team in action! On April 1 and 2 the JV and Varsity played Bishop Lynch at Eastfield. Next they played a District tournament at Oak Creek Country Club April 8 starting at 4:30 p.m. and April 9^th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The JV played Nolan at home (Kiest Park) on 4 p.m. on Friday, April 9. The last match for JV is JPII on April 16. Last but not least, the TAPPS state will be held in Waco, TX.               

Tennis Roster 07-08

Head Coach: Ms. Dies

Assistant Coach: Mr. Hurt

Varsity Roster:

Awa, Andy                    Asenime, Joanne

Echavarria, Chris         Emmons, Riley

Gutierrez, Javier           Escobar, Claire

Gutierrez, Pablo           Hamilton, Ariana

Kreis, Andrew               Joseph, Kayla

Imlach, Ian                    Kean, Danielle

Maggio, Hunter            Maxwell, Chelsea

Merlino, Drew               Oeftering, Sarah

Monger, Sean                Pardo, Annie-Jo

Wright, Eric                  Yang, Mike

Weapon of choice? Racquet. Ammo: Tennis ball. Tennis is more than just a game. Photo Courtesy of www.sportycoach.com.

Softball, Anyone?

on April 25 and April 26.

     Sophomore Drew Merlino thinks District is the highlight of the tennis season: “District is fun but hard. We’re going to do good this year.”

      District will be ending on April 9, so hurry before it’s all over.

     The players have worked especially hard to do well this year, and they deserve all the support they can get.

     “I am committed because I go to every practice and I work hard …. It’s my passion because I love to play and get out on the court,” says sophomore Andrew Kreis.

     You can the see passion of the players, you can feel the intensity of the game, but only you can create the school spirit. So go root for your Falcon Tennis Team!