Herald Times All-Area Softball: Smith captures award with hard work
by Matt Wenzel, Staff Writer
Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:03:00 -0400
GAYLORD - St. Mary senior Christina Smith emerged from a large pool of contenders to earn the Herald Times All-Area Softball Player of the Year.
For the past four years, Smith made a home behind the plate, evolving from a target to the pitcher into full-blown quarterback of the team.
"She worked her way in as freshman and kept working harder every year,"said St. Mary coach Abe Cruz."She stepped into the leadership role last year, and you could really see it this season - handling pitchers, she's one of our field generals. She's basically part of the coaching staff."
Smith helped lead a stingy St. Mary defense this season to a 16-5 record.
Offensively, Smith rang in with a .400 batting average with 17 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
According to the future Saginaw Valley State University student, the season was a successful one.
"I was really excited for how the season turned out,"Smith said."At the beginning of the season, I was a little nervous with how young the team was, only having two seniors, but everything came together. We split with Onaway and ended up beating a lot of good teams."
Smith showed she can do it all this spring. In addition to an all-Ski Valley Conference nod in softball, she also set new school records on the track, solidifying her name in St. Mary lore in both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.
According to Cruz, her strength and endurance crossed over to both sports.
"She's a tough girl,"Cruz said."I couldn't get her out of the game even if I tried. She had hit fingers from pitches and was plowed over by batters but always stuck it out. She always gives 110 percent in everything she does. You wish to have nine more of her out there and you'd have a state championship."
A good work ethic was not the only key to Smith's success. She also held a close bond with her veteran coach.
"He's an awesome guy; I'm really glad to have him as a coach."Smith said."We formed a good relationship because I'm near him in the infield, being a catcher. He's always really encouraging us to do our best and made me the player I am.
"He always makes sure to teach us about doing right thing and not just softball, that's why I like him as a coach."
Smith was also thankful to her parents, Kim and Dan Smith, as well as her teammates, about whom she said simply,"I would not be where I am today without them."
Among Smith's biggest memories as a Snowbird are this year's split with the then top-ranked team in the state, Onaway, as well as hoisting a district championship trophy and winning the Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart tournament as a freshman.
As Smith exchanges her Snowbird Blue for Saginaw Valley Red, she will trade her participation in organized athletics for a tough academic pre-physical therapy program.
For the past four years, Smith made a home behind the plate, evolving from a target to the pitcher into full-blown quarterback of the team.
"She worked her way in as freshman and kept working harder every year,"said St. Mary coach Abe Cruz."She stepped into the leadership role last year, and you could really see it this season - handling pitchers, she's one of our field generals. She's basically part of the coaching staff."
Smith helped lead a stingy St. Mary defense this season to a 16-5 record.
Offensively, Smith rang in with a .400 batting average with 17 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
According to the future Saginaw Valley State University student, the season was a successful one.
"I was really excited for how the season turned out,"Smith said."At the beginning of the season, I was a little nervous with how young the team was, only having two seniors, but everything came together. We split with Onaway and ended up beating a lot of good teams."
Smith showed she can do it all this spring. In addition to an all-Ski Valley Conference nod in softball, she also set new school records on the track, solidifying her name in St. Mary lore in both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.
According to Cruz, her strength and endurance crossed over to both sports.
"She's a tough girl,"Cruz said."I couldn't get her out of the game even if I tried. She had hit fingers from pitches and was plowed over by batters but always stuck it out. She always gives 110 percent in everything she does. You wish to have nine more of her out there and you'd have a state championship."
A good work ethic was not the only key to Smith's success. She also held a close bond with her veteran coach.
"He's an awesome guy; I'm really glad to have him as a coach."Smith said."We formed a good relationship because I'm near him in the infield, being a catcher. He's always really encouraging us to do our best and made me the player I am.
"He always makes sure to teach us about doing right thing and not just softball, that's why I like him as a coach."
Smith was also thankful to her parents, Kim and Dan Smith, as well as her teammates, about whom she said simply,"I would not be where I am today without them."
Among Smith's biggest memories as a Snowbird are this year's split with the then top-ranked team in the state, Onaway, as well as hoisting a district championship trophy and winning the Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart tournament as a freshman.
As Smith exchanges her Snowbird Blue for Saginaw Valley Red, she will trade her participation in organized athletics for a tough academic pre-physical therapy program.