Sports Scoop ... cont. from prev. pg.
feel like I’ve made an impact,” she said.
As her time winds down at Westview she wants to leave her fellow
underclassmen with words of advice.
“Don’t be afraid to be who you want to
be. Don’t conform to what others want
you to be… just be happy.”
Warrior Softball
“We had commitment in the offseason like we’ve not had in years past
at Westview. This group has an incredible work ethic and a ton of character
after last season’s lumps,” said softball
coach Mike Antal. Antal is in his third
year as an assistant to head coach, Phil
Gerber, who has been leading the team
for fourteen years. Other varsity assistants are Ryan Glassman (third year)
and Roger Witham (first year).
The softball team this year is
unique. There is not one senior on the
squad. This means that for the next
few years, they will be an experienced
force to be reckoned with. The team is
led by juniors Michelle Mowery and
Kayla Yoder. They were both elected
as team captains this season. Other
juniors that will share their knowledge
with the underclassman on the team
this season include; Olivia Miller, Julia
Thompson, and Kaylene Kaufman.
“We have matured, gotten stron-
ger, and we’re Hungry,” said Antal.
“Mowery will be a starter for her third
straight season. She was voted a team
captain, and we look for her and Kayla
to fill the void left by a seniorless team.
It’s going to be exciting to see our team
taking the next step!”
The coaches think very highly
of the team and are expecting to see
great improvement for the next couple
of years. Antal points to Kayla Yoder
and sophomore Amber Roth to be the
offensive catalysts. “Kayla Yoder and
Amber Roth were our number one and
number two leaders in almost every
offensive category last year. Kayla will
be our starting center fielder and see
some time behind the dish. Amber
Roth anchored our defense at shortstop and we look for more of the same
from her this year.”
Arguably, the strongest point of
the team this year is their ability to
have every member of the team bring
something valuable to the plate. “Sophomore, Brooke Yoder, starting gave us
a significant impact in the middle of
the season last year as a pitcher and
hitter which made us very competitive
down the stretch. Sophomore, Rachel
Johns, started at third base last season
as a freshman and hit in the middle of
our order. Rachel has gotten stronger
in the off-season and we look for big
things out of her this year,” He stated.
The team has four incoming freshman that look like they will receive
significant playing time. “Hannah
Witham is an incoming freshman who
has put her time in and garners a lot of
respect from her peers. We look for her
to make a huge impact in the middle
of the order and play solid first base.
Sidney Byrkett is an incredible base
runner for being a freshman and will
see a ton of action immediately,” Antal
declared. Other freshman expected to
make an impact this season are Bailey
Huffman and Katie Schrock.
As well as the freshmen are
expected to do, the core of the team
is still the sophomores and juniors.
Antal expects them to keep improving
and applauds what they have already
accomplished. “Sam Pfenning finished
third in a couple of offensive categories last season and we look for her to
produce well offensively this year too.
Kaylene Kaufman is back out, after
a one year hiatus, and will help to
anchor our team in the circle (pitching). Olivia Miller and Julia Thompson
have steadily improved over each of
Now Open
Hanging Baskets • Trees & Shrubs
Annuals/Perennials
Delivery Available
Bulk/Bag Mulch • Cocoa Bean Mulch
Fertilizers • Landscape • Stone/Topsoil
Retaining Wall Blocks & Pavers
Garden Seeds
Vegetable Plants
Seed Potatoes
Onion Sets
Middlebury location is still under construction, but will be opening soon
Westview’s winter sports Most Valuable Players were named at the annual winter sports awards
ceremony held at the Wilson Auditorium at Westview on Thursday, March 15. Receiving MVP honors
were (left to right): Cheer squad: Tori Oesch, girls basketball: Skyler Carpenter, wrestling: Austin Lewton
and boys basketball: Brant Yoder. Hometown Treasure Photo
pg 26 · The Hometown Treasure · Apr. ‘12
700 S 900 W • Topeka, IN • 260.593.3003
11930 W 250 N • Middlebury, IN • 574.825.8873
Hours: M-F 9 am - 5 pm, Sat. 8 am - 1 p.m.