One of my favorite shots from the 2001 high school softball season...that's the season that Shorecrest won the State Championship. This picture from a collage given to Susanna made by somebody...who?
Shorecrest, a high school with mixed ethnic and socioeconomic groups is located just outside the Seattle city limits. The Shoreline School District has long been known for its community support for its schools, a lot of local pride and identification with their schools. Not fancy, not fashionable, not rich. A community that cares about its schools.
Shorecrest softball head coach Kristie O scowls as she surveys whatever's happening on the field. They're in uniform so it must be a game...or a warmup before a game. Coach O took this team very seriously, known for her intensity and commitment, she ran the team on the level of Division 1 college athletics. You did what Coach O said, you did not question her. So she's looking at what's going on, she's not liking it, she's figuring out what she's going to do to, using one of my father's terms "sharpen things up". Two of her players stand next to her, her acolytes. Neither of these players have yet been seen by any college coaches, but they will be the stars that will propel this team to State. Junior Kristina T, went on to be an All American pitcher at Cal, Pac 10 pitcher of the year, now a star in the small professional softball league. Sophomore Suzie B (my daughter) had a successful playing career at University of Oregon, All Pac 10 and now student assistant coach at UO. All that's in the future (and the past) in this shot.
I believe both young women would say that Coach O influenced them the most. For both of them, if Coach O said "jump", their response would be "how high" and "I'll do it twice". She taught them that softball could be played at an extremely high intense level. But you could also goof around and have fun. Sometimes. But you needed to win. You had to be disciplined. And committed. No popups.
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