CATCH THIS! Athletes keeps games in proper perspective

Some of these athletes took time out to speak with The Evangelist about their sports, their goals for this season, and the lessons they've learned as student-athletes.

Play ball

Winning is important during her senior season, but Abby and her teammates also know that it's not the only reason they play softball.

"We just want to make sure we have a lot of fun, but we also try to get the wins in, too," she said. "We want to do better this season and work a little harder."

Being involved in sports keeps Abby busy, but she has learned to balance schoolwork with games and practices. "If you have a lot of goals, you're always focused," she said. "If I have a lot to do, I'm a little more studious, and it's going to help a lot in college."

Batter up

A diehard Boston Red Sox fan, her favorite athlete is former Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn, who now plays for the Anaheim Angels. "He's very active in the community and is a good role model," she said.

She's looking forward to college but will enjoy her final months as a high school senior. "I'm ready to graduate and I'm glad it's starting to wrap up, but there's a bit of sadness," she said.

Here's the pitch

His team is ready for this season because "we have a good team with eight seniors and a new coach," he said. "We want to win the Big 10 title."

Playing sports doesn't just produce results for Dan on the baseball diamond or the football field. "After practice, you have to go home and do schoolwork," he said. "It makes you more disciplined." He's a member of the National Honor Society and ADDEM Peer Leadership, and participated in the school's blood drive.

His favorite athlete is Ken Griffey Jr., center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds.

Swinging for fences

The goals he and his teammates have for this season are the same each season. "Every year, we have as our goal to win the Tri-Valley League and then the sectionals," he said. "I improved my batting average, home runs and pitching last season, and I try to do better every year."

Tim's performance has earned him a baseball scholarship to the University of Richmond, but he's not just a star on the pitcher's mound; he's vice president of the student council and does community service with 3- and 4-year-old children at a school.

The life of a student-athlete is hectic, but it has given him an opportunity to budget his time well. "I like to be busy doing a lot of things," he said. "It's good to be involved, and I'm learning good habits."

Tim also is a Boston Red Sox fan, but he picked its current pitching ace, Pedro Martinez, as his favorite athlete.

Hot shot

"As a team, we want to win the Big 10," she said. "It kind of escaped us last year, but this is the best chance we have to win in the past four years."

She's thinking about playing basketball at Pace University, and her work on the court has helped her in the classroom. "It makes life more hectic, but it makes me more disciplined because I have to try to balance schoolwork and athletics," she said.

Lindsay also is a member of the National Honor Society and ADDEM Peer Leadership, and participated in the school's blood drive.

There are so many athletes to choose from, she said, but she selected retired Chicago Bulls' superstar Michael Jordan as her favorite.

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