Photos by Rick Nation
Cayla McDowell and Abby Staton were celebrated on Senior Night for the Bryant Lady Hornets softball team Thursday night.
As has become tradition under head coach Debbie Clark, the players each chose a teacher who had made an impact on their high school experience. The teachers threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Lady Hornets’ game with Lake Hamilton.
McDowell chose Lindsey Forga. Staton picked Janet Watson.
“I feel like Mrs. Watson is one of our assistant coaches, she has been asked by a senior every year to throw out the first pitch on Senior Night,” Clark noted. “She has a collection of softballs in her classroom.
“These teachers are great examples of how ‘Genius is rarely appreciated in it’s own time!’” Clark said. “We wanted to honor and recognize our teachers who work with our athletes and spend extra time helping the players catch up and stay ahead academically. They definitely put the ‘student’ in student/athlete.”
After the Lady Hornets’ 15-0 win (details and pictures to follow), the McDowell and Staton along with their families were honored. Both have signed to play on in college. McDowell is headed to Lyon College in Batesville, Staton to central Baptist College in Conway.
