Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Although her junior year softball season was unfortunately cut short at Madison County High School (MCHS), Halie "Halo" Wetherington was still able to spend the summer playing the sport she obviously loves. Wetherington was able to participate in summer league softball with the traveling, tournament softball team, Jacksonville Storm Connor, a 16U softball team based in Jacksonville, Fla.
The summer season began on Saturday, May 23, with a tournament in Clermont, Fla. Other tournaments during the summer season included trips to Marietta, Ga., Newberry, Fla. and Little River, S.C. They played teams from as far away as Indiana and Texas. The Storm finished the season with a 13-15-1 record against some of the best competition in the nation.
Despite struggling early in the season from the pitcher's circle, Wetherington put up respectable pitching numbers, chalking up 27 strike-outs in 59.2 innings pitched. Her offensive numbers were much more impressive with a .459 batting average and a .521 on-base percentage for the season. In addition, she was one of the top three base-thieves on the team.
Not being able to finish her junior season with the Cowgirls naturally caused a bit of "rust" that had to be knocked loose. "It was almost like I had lost the feeling of throwing how I used to," said Wetherington. "However, I kept working throughout the season and focusing very hard on getting everything back to normal. By nationals I had my pitching figured out and managed to keep my hitting consistent, which helped my team. Even though I was battling my own struggles, I was always able to rely on my girls to be there for me, pushing me and having my back. The advice I'd give to anyone going through a rough patch is to rely on those who are trying to help. In the end, that will be what gets you through it and of course, practice makes perfect! I want to thank my parents, all of my coaches, the Storm family and everyone at Champion Fitness for always being my biggest supporters and always having faith in me."
Her strong faith is clearly what helps "Halo" keep going, even in the face of occasional struggles. She often refers back to her favorite Bible verse for inspiration. She even has the verse reference emblazoned on her glove. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Wetherington will soon begin her senior year at MCHS, where she also plans to play on the Cowgirls volleyball team. She is also a dual-enrollment student at North Florida College, where she is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She remains verbally committed to play softball for the University of West Florida, where she plans to study environmental science. She is the daughter of Sam and Michelle Wetherington.