Sometimes, our biggest competition has a familiar face. For Nipomo High School (NHS) junior Saundra Renner, challenging herself to perform to her best ability happens every time she takes to the field.
“[Softball] taught me how to be a leader and shake off my mistakes. I always try to one-up myself,” she said.
A member of the NHS softball program since her freshman year, Renner is now a varsity athlete who generally plays right field. However, she is also considered to be a utility player because she can be put in any position and still know how to perform. With such a variety of skills in her arsenal, she is now more determined than ever.
“I would like to go to CIF,” she said.
CIF qualifications all depend on how the team does in league, with first place guaranteeing a spot in the competition.
Renner has another goal in addition to going to CIF: When asked about what she is most looking forward to this season, the answer was simple.
“Being better than I was last year,” she said.
It seems Renner has been consistently improving since she joined the team freshman year. Though she initially felt nervous about playing, a now-graduated senior named Gianna Abatti made all the difference.
Abatti not only made Renner feel welcome, she also gave Renner the confidence she needed to excel at the varsity level.
From helpful teammates to focusing on the game, Renner feels that softball has managed to affect her life in a positive way.
“It has made me mentally stronger and gave me a lot of confidence,” she said.
For these reasons, Renner is passionate about the sport and has a desire to always do her best.
“I like the competition and the way it feels to do something good,” she said.
Whether it be getting on base or making good contact with the ball, it seems that Renner certainly is doing something good for both herself and her teammates. With another year to play for Nipomo, Renner still has a great deal to contribute to her fellow teammates and coaches.
This article appears in May 1-8, 2014.