![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
Focusing on building relationships among teammates, putting in hard work, and pushing through challenging moments has helped the Silver Creek Softball team make the postseason regional tournament.
While the team, like many teams, has had tough moments throughout the season, the players’ determination to keep getting better has helped them be successful.
Head coach Payton Garcia says her favorite trait she sees in her athletes is “how resilient they are game to game, play to play, and season to season.”
Sarah Longenecker, a pitcher who plays JV and varsity, believes the team is working towards improvement.
“We know that we’re not the best team, but we have been striving to get better,” Longnecker said.
Not only is the team resilient and constantly working to improve, but they make sure to remember their motto: “The Will to Win.” This motto is painted on the inside of the varsity dugout.
“Even if you’re having a hard day, even if you haven’t won a game in 10 games, you still need to have the will to win [and] the will to keep going,” Longenecker said.
Natelise Frea, a senior on the team, says this motto also applies to more than just softball. You have to “have the will to win as a person, not just as a softball player,” she said.
Always having “the will to win” has allowed the team to have exciting and memorable moments. Frea said one of the best team moments of the season came against Longmont High School in the last inning of the game when they won by one run after being down 11-10.
Frea adds that although the team has had great wins, it is important to remember to “bring our best to every [game,] and that it doesn’t matter how good or bad the other team is.”
While the team always strives to win, Longenecker said she makes sure to enjoy every game, win or lose.
“Even if we don’t win, we still have a lot of energy, and we still have a lot of fun,” she adds.
Freshman Natalie Lane agrees with Longenecker. Lane says team plays best when they “work super hard and have a lot of fun.”
Pushing through difficult moments, bonding as a team, having fun, and working hard have helped the team make the postseason regional tournament.
“[It’s] so fun to get to make new memories with the girls every day,” Garcia said.
