November 2020

Question

Thanksgiving season has arrived. It’s great to be grateful….even in sports!

Thinking back on the past year, what sporting event (a game, or a series, or a specific play) or athlete inspired you, excited you, motivated you, or just plain made you happy? WHY are you thankful for that moment? Describe the sports event or athlete, and why it sparked your GRATITUDE.  

Winner

Congratulations to Bridget Twaits, our November Contest Winner.

Bridget plays Middle Infielder and Outfield at Clarkson University, while studying mechanical engineering. A dedicated athlete, she has been playing ball since she was 4 years old!

“2020 has blessed me with the gift of passion. Softball is my passion and has taught me how to be the best version of myself on and off the field.”

Winning Answer

As I’m sure you are well aware, everyone’s spring season got canceled. I play D3 softball for a small school in upstate New York called Clarkson University. We were one of the lucky D3 schools, as we had a chance to play. Most schools in New York aren’t able to play outside and get games in until mid April because of the weather. Due to this, most of us travel to Florida in order to get in our first ten games of the season; so, we are able to get all of them in by the time the NCAA tournament rolls around. We had started our season with our annual trip to Maryland at the end of February, playing four games in two days, but that is not the event I will be talking about.

When our Florida trip was coming up, Covid-19 was sweeping the nation. We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to go, but we made it. When we arrived, we found out that every other team we were supposed to play pulled out at the last minute. If our flight had left three hours later, we would not have gone. This entire situation inspired my team. We wanted to play the best we could and have as much fun as possible, especially since this was it for our seniors. We graduated five seniors and had to give them the best shortened season that we could. As a freshman, I had to do my part and keep the high energy in the dugout.

I was the first freshman given the chance to be in the starting lineup for one game, and I couldn’t be the one to ruin it for the seniors. They played every game with so much heart – you could just see their love for the game. I’m so thankful I was able to play with them all for their last few moment of their collegiate athletic careers. Just being one of ten teams that had made it to Florida that year made us all extremely grateful for this sport and all it has given us.

Coming into my sophomore season this past year has taught me a lot about myself and how I should be treating and playing the game I love. This fall we had the chance to have practice. Even with all the regulations, I showed up every day with a smile on my face ready to work. I no longer dread early morning lift. I see it as an opportunity to be stronger instead of an obligation. I see rained out practices as less time I get play the sport I love. 2020 has blessed me with the gift of passion. Softball is my passion and has taught me how to be the best version of myself on and off the field.