4 months ago
It's an amazing feat in sports when a team can put together an undefeated season. The Rutland girls' softball team has done much better. They haven't lost in the school's seven-year history.
It's incredible, but it's not the only testament to what these kids accomplish on the diamond every week.
Jena Derzi started coaching four years into the streak.
"I came in with a three-year winning streak and a lot of pressure," she recalled.
Derzi and the kids kept it going, and now the Lady Hurricanes have compiled a record of 50 wins and not a single loss in the school's history. Derzi has determined the key to their success has little to do with the coaching staff and everything to do with what the kids do in the off season.
"They play on travel teams. They have pitching coaches. We're just lucky we get the cream of the crop. Our hardest job is tryouts. We have 70 girls come out. We have to pick the best of the best and put together a team," she explained.
Janna Jordan's played on the diamond in 20 of their wins.
"It's a lot of pressure.. When the 8th graders leave at the end of the year, you're like, 'Darn, what are we going to do?,' but we always wind up getting through the season undefeated," she said.
This year, Janna is one of those eighth graders getting ready to graduate. She thinks the streak is pretty cool, but the kid also figures the 'Canes have a lot of talent.
"I think we're pretty much good at everything," she said with confidence.
That may sound a little self-centered, but the 'Canes have the digits to back them up for a little bragging. The numbers say a lot, but it's a noble effort off the field that speaks volumes.
Karla Holcomb sat in the stands and reflected on her family's past 12 months. "It started in April of 2008. It started with one bald spot, and she has lost all of her hair now," Karla said.
Seventh-grader Miranda Holcomb is Karla's daughter. She's had to deal with a devastating disease.
"It's like, when you have alopecia, you lose your hair and, like, you have a 50-50 chance of growing it back or not growing it back," Miranda explained.
Miranda wears her struggles publicly with an orange bandana wrapped around her head. "It's a hard thing for a girl, you know, a woman's hair," Karla said.
But as Miranda trudged through the toughest part of her life, she only had to look around in the dugout to find a smile. "Well, I've been going through this for about a year now. They've helped me through it. They have my back," she said with a smile.
It's the kind of thing the history books will never reflect.
But that's okay, because a unbeaten streak is one thing, but helping out your teammates is something that can last a lifetime.
"I don't know what goes through her head when she looks in the mirror at night, but I tell them it's not on the outside that defines who you are, it's on the inside that makes who you are, and I think these girls look at the inside and not the outward appearance and I'm really proud of all of them," Karla said with tears in her eyes.
The 'Canes hit the diamond for their last game next Monday October 5 at Rutland Middle School. As for Miranda, her mom says she did qualify for a Locks of Love wig, and one day, she hopes Miranda's own hair will grow back and she'll donate her strands to the organization.
