Senior Maggie Cecil is looking forward to her final season on Westside softball. After coming close to a state title last year, she is eager to get one step closer to it with her team this year. Playing softball for seven years, the closeness of the team is one thing that has fueled her dedication for that many years.
“My favorite part of the game is the bonds you make with your teammates. I’ve met my best friends through softball. We are like family. We have such a great bond, and everyone on the team supports each other and lifts each other up,” Cecil said. “No matter what we have going on outside of softball we all come together and play for each other, and this means so so much to me because it helps us win games and connect on a whole other level.”
One of the major lessons Cecil has learned throughout her softball career, is that overreacting to a small loss, can result in a major one. Working on overcoming those obstacles, she believes, can overall make you a better athlete.
“You have to let things go if a play doesn’t go your way, or you make an error. You can’t get down on yourself, and also just because you have one bad day, that does not define who you are as an athlete,” Cecil said.
Maggie also has had a positive impact on her teammates, and is a known leader of her team.
“Maggie has been very positive and pushes all of us to be better,” Jordyn Van Ginkel said. “Looking at her and how far she’s come, helps us all want to become better players.”
Being on the team since her freshman year, Maggie has seen the team grow, and change in many ways.
“Over the years we’ve seen a lot more girls tryout and a lot more talent. We have also been challenging ourselves more and more each practice, because going hard in practice makes games easier,” Cecil said.
As she starts her last season, she will be missed by her teammates, and her hard work will be honored.
I will miss the relationships I have built with the seniors and what they contribute to the team. It’s a very fun atmosphere. We all love being around each other,” Jordyn said.
Follow Maggie and the rest of her team as they take on the rest of their softball season.
