We Emerge Victorious

The old coaches quit.

The old coaches said we weren't worth it.

The old coaches accused us of being the problem.

But that didn't stop us from bonding.

A year before the competition, we were already focused on the prize.

It was our turn.

The new coaches told us it was impossible.

The new coaches told us to cool it, to not try so hard.

The new coaches told us that it had never been done, so it couldn't happen.

But that didn't stop us from believing.

While our competition dozed, we dreamt of success.

We knew how this was going to end.

The town thought that we would lose.

The town thought that our team had already lost our chance.

The town thought that our team was too small, that we were too inept.

But that didn't stop us from hoping.

While our competition partied, we planned our path.

We wrote down our goal in big letters for everyone to see.

They tried to silence us.

They tried to beat us down until we surrendered.

They tried to talk us out of our "unrealistic" goal of being state champions.

But that didn't stop us from trying.

While our competition rested, we persisted unceasingly.

We knew that perseverance and determination alone were omnipotent.

No matter what happened off the field, on the field, we trusted each other completely.

No matter what happened off the field, on the field, we were like sisters.

No matter what people told us would happen, we began to win.

But that didn't stop us from having fun.

While our competition worried, we worked harder.

We didn't stress because we knew it would pay off.

Then everyone else realized we could win.

Then everyone else realized what we were worth.

Then everyone else realized they were in the presence of champions.

But that didn't stop us from working.

While our competition remained, we transformed.

After all, this was our Cinderella Story.

Everyone finally caught on.

Everyone finally believed what we already knew.

Everyone finally saw in us what we knew was there the whole time.

But that didn't stop us from playing.

While our competition complained, we enjoyed the present.

Our parents knew it all along.

The bleachers roared with their cheers.

The bleachers roared with their praise, with astonishment.

The bleachers roared so loud that we couldn't hear our own voices.

But that didn't stop us from cheering.

While our competition watched, we emerged...

Victorious.

The true story of the 2009 Arizona Softball 3A Regional and State Champions, Blue Ridge High School (first time in school history).