Paying another visit to the variety store...



Queens of diamonds

Since yours truly named his own all-time Star Beacon Ashtabula County softball team in our Monday, June 15 edition, I’ve received a great deal of reaction and feedback.

The good news is, Loyal Readers, at least 10 percent of it included the writer or caller’s name.

On top of that, at least 5 percent of it was actually positive in nature.

The other 95 percent?

Not so much.

Folks, let me reiterate, as I attempted (failed?) to convey in the words that accompanied the collage of photographs with that centerpiece feature, the team was my team.

It wasn’t all based on statistics.

It wasn’t all based on awards.

It wasn’t scientific, by any means.

It was simply put, my team. My opinion.

No more. No less.

Please feel free to send my way your own all-time all-county squad. I’m not looking for anyone to criticize the players I selected, but I’d be more than happy to hear what your opinions are and will be glad to publish them.

However, one caveat — please put your name on it, as I did.



Best of the best

Of the 5 percent of the positive responses I received to that concept, one asked me to take it a step farther and name the best single player I’ve seen grace the softball diamonds of Ashtabula County.

Wait, as if naming a 25-player roster didn’t generate enough criticism, you want me to name one player as the absolute best I’ve ever seen.

No way, Jose. As a former president was fond of saying, “it wouldn’t be prudent.”

Then again, I’ve never been accused of being prudent, so, here goes...

Try as I might, I couldn’t cut it down to one... but I can narrow it to two.

In alphabetical and chronological order, Ronda Carter and Kim Henson are the two best all-around players these eyes have seen in the history of Ashtabula County softball.

Carter, a 1988 Jefferson graduate, and Henson, a 1990 Grand Valley graduate, both enjoyed spectacular careers for the Falcons and Mustangs, respectively.

Carter, who played for coach Ed Pickard during her time at Jefferson, went on to a fine career at the University of Akron.

Henson, who played for coach Cyndi Thomas during her days at Grand Valley, did the same at Youngstown State University.

Carter and Henson, who actually squared off as opposing pitchers in 1988 when Carter was a senior and Henson a sophomore at the JAGS Complex in Jefferson, have plenty in common based on their page-long accomplishments on the diamond.

But perhaps most impressive is the fact both not only played three sports during their high school days, they were stars in three sports — volleyball, basketball and, of course, softball.

So, there you have it, Loyal Readers — more fodder to fire back at me in your cannons.

I very much look forward to hearing your takes and publishing your opinions.

Just please put your name behind them.

The ball is in your court.



Star power

When 2009 Star Beacon Ashtabula County Player of the Year Megan Dragon of Edgewood matched Henson’s county record with her 68th career victory on Monday, May 18 in a 10-0 Northeastern Conference win against visiting Conneaut, when contacted, Henson could not have been more gracious.

“Good for Megan!” Henson, now Kim Triskett (married to Tom), the Star Beacon Ashtabula County Player of the Year in 1989 and 1990 said. “I haven’t seen her throw in a couple of years now, but when I did, she was tremendous and I know how hard she has worked at the game.”

Triskett then proved a bit prophetic.

“Records are made to be broken and until you called me, I had no idea about holding the record,” she said. “In fact, I hope she’s able to get at least one more and break the record because she deserves it.”

Two nights later, Dragon, a Gannon University signee, did just that, recording her 69th career victory in a 10-1 Division II district semifinal win against Mooney at the JAGS Complex.



Great bloodlines

While Triskett blazed the trail for two other members of my all-time all-county squad — younger sisters Kelly and Krystal Henson — Carter went the other way — following in the footsteps of a great family member at Jefferson.

Carter’s aunt, Tammy Wlyduga, a 1982 Jefferson graduate, was a tremendous all-around player for the Falcons.

Like her niece, Wludyga also was also a standout in volleyball and basketball, but was at her best on the softball diamond.

(Tidbit — Carter was the first girls basketball player in the county to nail more than 40 3-pointers, converting 43 in the first season the arch was used, 1987-88, which was also the first of Jefferson’s five regional appearances).



Real stalkers?

I wonder what Jeff Kader thinks of this?

Kader, one of the long list of great tennis players at Geneva High School, went on to a fine career at The College of William & Mary and is now the assistant tennis coach at North Carolina State University.

The Associated Press reported Kader’s collegiate alma mater is looking to make a change of its current mascot, Tribe, which followed its original, Indians.

The NCAA ruled in 2006 that the college could keep the Tribe nickname but its feathered logo was demeaning to Native Americans and had to go.

The school’s athletic teams will still be called the Tribe, but the college wants a mascot that may — or may not — match the nickname.

Through Monday, the institution, located in Williamsburg, Va., has received more than 400 nominations , including, of all things, an asparagus stalk.

The asparagus stalk supporter notes that if served with cheese, the vegetable represents the school colors.

Another different idea that has been submitted is a feathered horse, which while unusual, would be unique.

But an asparagus stalk?

The college’s president will make the final decision, meaning Kader — who finished as the Division I state runner-up as a junior during his days at Geneva before playing four years of Division I college tennis — should probably prepare himself to see a Bill & Mary student walking around in a vegetable suit when he goes back to his old stomping grounds.



McCormack is the sports editor of the Star Beacon. Reach him at donmac@suite224.net.