On way to 12 straight at state

May 22, 2009 • written by Mary DeJong, 09-10 Co-Editor-in-Chief  
Filed under Sports

        “A wiki-wiki womba!  A wiki-wiki womba!”  Echoing from the dugout, the softball girls cheer on their teammates as their chance to win the state title for the 12th consecutive year.

        Sophomore softball player Carissa Becher is eager for the state tournament and is beginning to get the feeling of nervousness.

        “It’s really important to all of us,” Becher said.  “In any sport you participate in, you always want to win state.  But I’d say there’s a little more pressure on us because 11 teams have been able to do it before us.  We definitely want number 12.”

        Although it is senior softball player Jessica Woodbury’s first year on the West Fargo softball team, she has gotten to know her teammates throughout the season and believes they will bring home another state title.

        “I am very confident that the team can do it,” Woodbury said.  “We have good chemistry, we have fun, and we have the talent to take state.  We all want to keep the winning streak going.”

        The team is working long and hard to prepare for upcoming state tournament May 28-30.

        “It’s business as usual,” Becher said.  “We just keep working on our basics every day so at the end of the season, we should be on the top of our game.”

        Along with Becher, Woodbury thinks if the team plays with a game-by-game mindset, the state title will be theirs.

        “We are always being focused in practice and games,” Woodbury said.  “We always come to play.  I want to play my absolute best to make sure [winning] can happen.”

        For Becher, age does not matter.  Instead, it is the team chemistry that wins championships.

        “Although we are a young team, in the last couple weeks we have been playing really well together,” Becher said.  “If we continue to improve and work hard, I think we will definitely bring home another state title.”