Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Making the best of the difficult situation facing the Madison County High School (MCHS) softball program, the seniors and coaches posted a "virtual" Senior Night video presentation on YouTube on Thursday, April 9. This was the evening on which the Cowgirls had originally scheduled their annual Senior Night ceremony prior to a game against the Florida High Lady Seminoles.
The touching and inspirational 12:46 long video features a message from each of the six seniors on the squad, along with pictures from this shortened season and from the girls' younger days. The video also includes messages from Assistant Coach Clayton McWilliams and Head Coach Tommy Garner. "You've been given a raw deal," said Coach McWilliams. "But there's nothing you can do about that, it's out of your control. I've told you before, you can only control what you can control. What you can control is you, your future and your goals. Those don't change. 'FRP,' that's your new catch-phrase. Forget things behind you. The way this has turned out is not what you wanted, forget that. Reach for your goals. Press forward toward those goals. 'FRP,' that's the best I can give you right now."
"When hard happens, just do hard," said Coach Garner in his message to the seniors. "This is a hard time, so I challenge you to do hard. I'm proud of each one of you, as I've watched you grow and mature. Your pride, passion and effort will tell the story of your high school years. Give your best effort daily and you will be fine."
The 2020 season was cut short mid-way through the season at the end of a Friday, March 13 contest with Union County High School. Earlier that afternoon the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) made the announcement that all high school athletic competitions would be postponed indefinitely, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before the season came to an abrupt end, the Cowgirls had a record of 4-5.
The senior members of the Cowgirls team are: Gracie Galbraith, Ja'Shanti Davis, Hope Underhill, Jocelyn Davis, Brittany Hasty, Summer Roberts and Abi Annett.
The full video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/4UdK9HRt9qY.