CAMDEN — It's always a good sign when a softball team isn't awarded at the sports banquet because that most likely means the season is still going on.
That was the case for the Camden Fairview Lady Softball Cardinals and first year head coach Kendra Centers. When the Camden Fairview School District held its annual Sports Banquet earlier this month, the Lady Cardinals were getting ready to compete in the 5A State Tournament for the first time since 2011. The Lady Cardinals came within two runs of upsetting 5A Central Number 1 seeded Beebe in a thrilling 9-7 loss in the opening round of the tournament.
On Thursday, the Lady Cards held a brief award ceremony for the student athletes and parents to wrap up the season. C.F. Athletic Director and Vice Principal Ricky Tucker welcomed everyone to the event and congratulated the team on its accomplishments. He took time to recognized Center and assistant coaches Allie Cecil, Julie Mclelland, and Leigh Millican and thanked the parent for their support of the team.
"We had a great year," Tucker said. "I thought the girls did a fine job of competing and never giving up."
Center then rose to summarize the season and said it was "exciting." She reflected on meeting some of the team in July in the library and said she remembered the student athletes expressing that they wanted to go to compete in the state tournament as one of its goals.
"You all really bought in," Centers said. "You never gave up and I'm really proud of that."
The Top Q Award was given to Anna Dawson and Makenna Smith. Centers said the team implemented quality at bats this season and explained that it revolves around the concept of making the opposing pitcher work extra hard. She said that Dawson and Smith combined for around 60 quality at bats and were "neck and neck" for the category the entire season. Both student athletes were underclassmen this season and are set to return next year.
The Defensive Award was given to Kynzi Morgan. Centers said Morgan made one of the best catches that she has ever seen in the outfield and admitted that she panicked when she saw the catch because she thought Morgan might have been hurt.
"I got out over there and she had dirt in her braces, dirt in her eyebrows, blood on her lips and she just says, 'I caught it!'"
Laney Pate received the Cardinals award. Centers said Pate's presence is "awesome" and that she is everything a player wants in a teammate.
"She is just fun to be around," Centers explained. "You will always hear her in the dugout. If there's a bunt you're going to know from two towns over because she's going to let you know."
Kori Smelser was awarded the Rookie Award. Centers said that it is tough being a ninth grader coming in and playing with the varsity girls, but Smelser performed her duties as a catcher for the team well throughout the season.
"She answered the call early in the season and I don't think she's ever played there," Centers elaborated. "I said I needed someone and she volunteered. From there on, she was there and did a very good job for us."
The MVP Award was given to sophomore pitcher Lexi Betts.
"Giving out awards when you have a team full of people like this is tough because you just want to give them all something," Centers shared. "An MVP I think is if we didn't have that role that that person played then our team would look a whole lot different. I talked to her back in October and she bought in. Proud of the way she took over as a young leader."
Centers concluded the ceremony by telling her returning student athletes to "stay hungry" and said she believes the team can be back in the state tournament next year. She then thanked the parents and said her job was "easy" because of their support and participation.