Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Paragould-based team 2nd in nation
 |
| From left, Dynasty softball team members Kenzie Powers, Jessica Greene, Cheyenne Mauldin and Shea Cothren, all of Paragould, show off some of the hardware the Paragould-based 16-and-under softball team won this summer, including their national runner-up trophy. Photo by Barbara-Ann Wheeler |
Tech, PHS girls 'come together' to lead Dynasty to national
runner-up spot
By Barbara-Ann Wheeler
Special to the Daily Press
An amazing group of nine girls form a dynamic 16-and-under fastpitch softball team named Dynasty for Northeast Arkansas. They were all recruited and brought together to make one highly-successful team with a 2008 record of 35-7.
Out of the nine girls, four are from Paragould: Shea Cothren and Kenzie Powers of Greene County Tech, and Jessica Greene and Cheyenne Mauldin, both students at Paragould High School.
The head coach for Dynasty is Chris Powers. The assistant coaches are Junior Beshears and Aaron Mauldin. The coaches and parents come together to provide all the tools the girls need to succeed as a team and individually in life. Recently, the coaches have begun filming Skills Video Tapes to send to colleges for each girl to prepare for their future.
Shea Cothren, 16, is the unspoken leader and ace pitcher of the team. She has given up all other sports in pursuit of softball.
Cothren takes pitching lessons from Sara Daws, assistant coach at Tennessee-Martin. Her specialty pitch is a curve ball.
Cothren said she will soon have a strength and conditioning coordinator. She also said she is looking forward to the training, a program which will consist of training intensely four times a week.
“By the end of 2009, I want to be throwing 68 (m.p.h.),” Cothren said excitedly.
She said her dad helps her with memory exercises to help keep the number 68 in her head, a psychological training approach.
Mauldin, 14, is also a pitcher for the team. She and Cothren switch as needed during tournament action. Mauldin has also given up all other sports in pursuit of softball.
“I practice pitching year round. I pitch even more often in the offseason to prepare for the next season,” said Cheyenne, who’s specialty pitch is a drop ball.
Both girls agree they work well together and complement each other’s pitching skills. They both have six pitches they consistently practice and perfect. These pitches are the fast ball, change-up, curve ball, screw ball, riser, and drop ball.
Powers, 16, is the shortstop for the team. She also plays volleyball for Greene County Tech.
Kenzie said having her dad as coach gives her incentive to do well on the diamond.
“I feel like having my dad coaching me, makes me play harder. I feel like I need to play harder and better,” said Kenzie, “because I want my dad to be proud of me.”
Greene, 15, is the catcher for Dynasty. She also plays second base. An all-around athlete, Greene plays volleyball and basketball for Paragould High School.
When behind the plate, Greene said she likes calling the pitches. In order to accomplish this skill, “you have to know what they’ve hit in the past,” she said.
Green said she has to study the other teams, and the coaches assist her with this.
All nine Dynasty girls take hitting lessons, attend clinics and camps and practice at least once a week throughout the year. As tournaments arise, Dynasty picks up one to two girls as needed in case of injuries to their regular players. The team also focuses on College Showcase and College Sponsored Tournaments.
In the summer season of 2008, Dynasty became the 18-under Mississippi State champions, 16-and-under “Escape to the Cape” champions, 18-and-under “Thunder in Munford” runner-up, 16-and-under Paragould champions, 16--and-under District 1 champions, two-time defending champions of the 16-and-under Jonesboro Mountain Dew Classic. They have also captured third place in 16-and-under state tournament at Little Rock, fifth place in the 18-and-over Nationals against teams with college players, and runner-up in the 16-and-under national tournament in St. Louis.
All nine girls are now preparing for the new school year. They all play school softball but not on the same team. Cothren and Powers, both of Tech, will play against Mauldin and Greene, both of Paragould, when the crosstown rivals meet during high school softball season. At the same time, the girls will also be teaming up again when Dynasty’s season resumes.
The girls are very excited about the upcoming seasons and said they just want to have fun whether they’re teammates or foes.
Mauldin said, “We play hard to win, but then we’re still friends after the games.”
And, Jessica summed it up by jokingly stating, “I guess those Tech girls are alright.”
Despite playing against each other in the school year, these athletic and talented teens get along very well. They all attend social outings together, have team parties, and occasional sleepovers.
“Softball is intense. (But) we all have fun together,” Cothren said, “and we are like one big family.”
Barbara-Ann Wheeler is a freelance writer who lives in Paragould.
Out of the nine girls, four are from Paragould: Shea Cothren and Kenzie Powers of Greene County Tech, and Jessica Greene and Cheyenne Mauldin, both students at Paragould High School.
The head coach for Dynasty is Chris Powers. The assistant coaches are Junior Beshears and Aaron Mauldin. The coaches and parents come together to provide all the tools the girls need to succeed as a team and individually in life. Recently, the coaches have begun filming Skills Video Tapes to send to colleges for each girl to prepare for their future.
Shea Cothren, 16, is the unspoken leader and ace pitcher of the team. She has given up all other sports in pursuit of softball.
Cothren takes pitching lessons from Sara Daws, assistant coach at Tennessee-Martin. Her specialty pitch is a curve ball.
Cothren said she will soon have a strength and conditioning coordinator. She also said she is looking forward to the training, a program which will consist of training intensely four times a week.
ADVERTISEMENT |
She said her dad helps her with memory exercises to help keep the number 68 in her head, a psychological training approach.
Mauldin, 14, is also a pitcher for the team. She and Cothren switch as needed during tournament action. Mauldin has also given up all other sports in pursuit of softball.
“I practice pitching year round. I pitch even more often in the offseason to prepare for the next season,” said Cheyenne, who’s specialty pitch is a drop ball.
Both girls agree they work well together and complement each other’s pitching skills. They both have six pitches they consistently practice and perfect. These pitches are the fast ball, change-up, curve ball, screw ball, riser, and drop ball.
Powers, 16, is the shortstop for the team. She also plays volleyball for Greene County Tech.
Kenzie said having her dad as coach gives her incentive to do well on the diamond.
“I feel like having my dad coaching me, makes me play harder. I feel like I need to play harder and better,” said Kenzie, “because I want my dad to be proud of me.”
Greene, 15, is the catcher for Dynasty. She also plays second base. An all-around athlete, Greene plays volleyball and basketball for Paragould High School.
When behind the plate, Greene said she likes calling the pitches. In order to accomplish this skill, “you have to know what they’ve hit in the past,” she said.
Green said she has to study the other teams, and the coaches assist her with this.
All nine Dynasty girls take hitting lessons, attend clinics and camps and practice at least once a week throughout the year. As tournaments arise, Dynasty picks up one to two girls as needed in case of injuries to their regular players. The team also focuses on College Showcase and College Sponsored Tournaments.
In the summer season of 2008, Dynasty became the 18-under Mississippi State champions, 16-and-under “Escape to the Cape” champions, 18-and-under “Thunder in Munford” runner-up, 16-and-under Paragould champions, 16--and-under District 1 champions, two-time defending champions of the 16-and-under Jonesboro Mountain Dew Classic. They have also captured third place in 16-and-under state tournament at Little Rock, fifth place in the 18-and-over Nationals against teams with college players, and runner-up in the 16-and-under national tournament in St. Louis.
All nine girls are now preparing for the new school year. They all play school softball but not on the same team. Cothren and Powers, both of Tech, will play against Mauldin and Greene, both of Paragould, when the crosstown rivals meet during high school softball season. At the same time, the girls will also be teaming up again when Dynasty’s season resumes.
The girls are very excited about the upcoming seasons and said they just want to have fun whether they’re teammates or foes.
Mauldin said, “We play hard to win, but then we’re still friends after the games.”
And, Jessica summed it up by jokingly stating, “I guess those Tech girls are alright.”
Despite playing against each other in the school year, these athletic and talented teens get along very well. They all attend social outings together, have team parties, and occasional sleepovers.
“Softball is intense. (But) we all have fun together,” Cothren said, “and we are like one big family.”
Barbara-Ann Wheeler is a freelance writer who lives in Paragould.
 |
||
| Mandich to anchor young ASU O-line |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of paragoulddailypress.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
Please note: We provide our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.