North Fort Myers High School - Lance Yearbook (North Fort Myers, FL)

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Rise of Determination In 1981 it was one, two, three strikes and the entire softball season was out. Halfway through North's 1981 schedule of games, Coach Carolyn Whitehurst felt it necessary to cancel the rest of the season due to lack of interest and participation. 1982 took on an entirely new look for Red Knight softball. Head Coach Tom Pacl and Assistant Coach Fred Gebhard took over the task of rebuilding, training, and inspiring the Lady Knights. The renewed interest shown by North female students was encouraging. Hour after hour of hard practice on the diamond at Waterway Park that produced sore muscles only increas- ed the determination of the team to band together and enter each game with a winning attitude. The energy level was incredibly high as each player learned and perfected the rudiments of individual and team play. Specialized drills in throwing, base running, fielding, bat- ting, stealing, and conditioning kept the girls sweaty, dusty, and exhausted by the end of each practice. Composed of mainly freshmen and sophomores, with only a sprinkling of seasoned veterans, the Lady Soft- ballers knew it would be a challeng- ing season, but were determined to make a name for themselves in con- ference competition. 1 - Shortstop Susan Brady grabs a pop fly for a perfect out for the Lady Knights. 2 - Kim Simons reaches for the ball from her first base position. 7 Z'f7F3 i3 f-f7'1f M9 2' iwi af , 4' 'WWW 'T ' V . fm mr . . ' +V: '- 2 'f I ,, ' .. . , 1 , f 1 . 4, . 7 7' , 5 Mn. . . i l 1 i E I 1 5 I E 1 , , . 212 X Athletics 2

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The inors The 1982 Iunior-Varsity Baseball Team, coached by Mr. Wayne Iensen, was eager to begin their season. Fifty freshmen and sophomores signed up in- itially to try-out for positions on the team. Many of the prospective team members brought with them training and experience gained from years of participating on the area Little League and Babe Ruth teams. The only returning I.V. veterans were Ioe Flinn, Richard Ratliff, Tim Sushil, and Dale Hinkle. They led the eager recruits in pre-season conditioning. Before any cuts were made each player attended daily practices, participating in scrimmage games so Coach Iensen could judge their ability, sincere in- terest, and team effort. Gnce the player selections were made, daily exercises in numerous baseball skills sharpened the team's play, making them ready for the umpire's call of Play Ball on March 2 against Bishop Verot. 1 - During a I.V. intrasquad game, Richard Ratliff slides in vain as Ioe Flinn readies his throw to first for the double play. Ioe Williams rushes to back- up teammate Flinn. 2 - Ioe Barley takes a mighty swing at the ball. 3 - Getting ready to deliver his pitch is I.V. player Dave Markovits. 4 - 1982 I.V. Baseball Team: IL to Rl Kneeling - Ioe Barley, Gary Brown, Robert Ratliff, Gary Dickey, Robert Onson, Russell Cushing, Duane nash, Ioe Williams. Standing - Ken Tolbert, David Mavkovits, Ray Butler, Louis Tillman, Ioe Flinn, Franklin Driskell, Ierry Whitaker, Greg Williams. Athletics X 211

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,W Or I, f A ,,,,., 1 vw. ,V 4 , 4 , 1- A 'www ff' W- ,. 0 ,, f . , f KC.- ag, 4,-:, 4194 1 - Senior Missy Lovett gets ready to bring a runner home. 2 - Determination and concentration assure that Lisa Garrett will make this catch. 3 - 1982 Softball Team: IL to Rl Kneeling - Susan Brady, Missy Lovett, Regina Belongia, Cindy Davis, Carolyn Winegarden, Shawn Lingle. Standing - Loretta Marinell, Coach Tom pacl, Kim Culver, Lisa Gar- rett, Kim Simons, Lori Dill, Shannon McIntosh, Sheryl Miller, Coach Fred Gebhard, Tonya Becker. v.....,, Athletics X 213