![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
Recognizing individuals fighting breast cancer
Spectators were encouraged to wear breast cancer awareness shirts for the game in support of those who have faced breast cancer.
Prior to their game against the Lakeridge Pacers, the softball team’s head coach, Gina Garvey-Metzler, instilled a new softball team tradition. One game out of their season will be dedicated to spreading breast cancer awareness and they will pick one member of their community who is facing a battle with breast cancer and recognize them. Concession stand proceeds will go towards someone who is fighting cancer.
Garvey-Metzler gave a personal speech to commemorate the lives lost due to all kinds of cancer and she remembered the family members that she has lost.
She dedicated the game to her cousin who was recently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. At the end of her speech she asked those who have beat cancer and those who are currently fighting cancer to join the team on the field for flowers and a gift.
The Pacers also took part in this event, and supported those who have experienced breast cancer by decking themselves out in pink and wearing their pink uniforms.
With help from pitcher Kendall Atwood, freshman, the Lions were able to defeat the Pacers 5—2. Atwood allowed three hits, one run, and had four strikeouts. The Lions took an early lead and held onto it until the Pacers put up two points in the last couple innings.
For more information in regards to this new tradition and to learn more about Garvey-Metzler’s relative, check out @westlinnhs_softball on Instagram and their GoFundMe.
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Lily Sewell, senior, is the sports section editor for wlhsNOW.com. She has spent all four years stepping up her reporting and coverage skills by taking...
![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-600x450.jpg)
