TVCC Lady Cardinal Head Coach Elena Lovato speaks to the crowd at the #CELEBRATING7 event Wednesday, April 3. (COURTESY PHOTO)
By mvhannigan
TVCC Lady Cardinal Head Coach Elena Lovato thanked everyone last night at the #CELEBRATING7 community party for the 2013 national champions.
When I say everyone, I mean everyone from the college president to the bus driver (her good luck charm!). She particularly thanked the community and the fans, which is something she’s been doing pretty much since the season began. And she thanked God for the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives.
I can’t list everyone she thanked because …. well, she thanked A LOT of people.
Her players did the same thing … thanked everyone. They talked about how important everyone else was in their title run.
There they were … the undisputed national champions, undefeated on the court … and all they could do was talk about how great everyone else was.
It is why we love the 2013 Lady Cardinals … it is why all those folks probably would have shown up for the party even if the girls hadn’t won that final game.
Because when you see someone going about business the right way, it is inspiring.
And it is the biggest reason everyone else in the nation better be worried in 2014. … #3PEAT
The official college/community celebration of the Lady Cardinals’ seventh NJCAA championship is scheduled tonight. #CELEBRATING7 is set to begin at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Gym.
Scheduled speakers are Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders, TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey, TVCC Athletic Director Brad Smiley, Coach Elena Lovato and Lady Cardinal sophomores Victoria Wells, Savannah Carter, Shannon Smith and Krystle Henderson.
There will also be performances by Cardinal Cheerleaders, Cardette Showgirls and the Cardinal Regiment Pep Band.
After the ceremony, the Lady Cardinals will sign posters for fans and be available for photos.
The public is invited to attend.
The event will also be webcast by the Cardinal Sports Network at www.tvcc.edu
SOFTBALL
The Lady Cardinals will join the fight against cancer Saturday with the annual Strikeout Cancer doubleheader at Cain Park. They face Kilgore at 1 and 3 p.m.
Concessions will be available. There will also be a raffle for softball items and a pink acknowledgement banner for fans to sign after making a donation.
Pink Strikeout Cancer T-shirts will also be available for $10.
The Lady Cardinals would like to recognize cancer survivors at the game. Cancer survivors planning to attend the game should contact Lucy Strom at 903-675-6359.
The Lady Cardinals are 23-16 on the year and 3-3 in conference play.
The Lady Cardinals returned from a non-conference South Texas road trip with a 2-2 record, sending their season record to a 23-16 reading.
Thursday, Coach Ashley Johnston’s squad split a doubleheader with San Jacinto. The Lady Cardinals dropped an 8-3 decision in Game 1 and bounced back to take a 5-2 win in Game 2.
In action Friday against Lamar State-PA, the Lady Cardinals recorded a 7-6 win in Game 1 and suffered a 5-4 loss in Game 2.
The Lady Cardinals’ next outing is scheduled Saturday at home against Kilgore at 1 and 3 p.m.
#CELEBRATING7
The college/community celebration of the Lady Cardinals’ seventh NJCAA championship is scheduled Wednesday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Gym.
The public is invited to attend.
The event will also be webcast by the Cardinal Sports Network at www.tvcc.edu
CARDINAL PRIDE LUNCHEON
The Cardinal Pride Luncheon is scheduled today at noon at Papa Tilo’s, located at 607 East Tyler St.
It was a successful outing for the TVCC Rodeo Team in the Texas A&M event this past weekend. Seven members of the team made it to the Short Go.
Garrett Jones split fourth and fifth in Bareback Riding and placed third in the Short Go and third in average.
Hunter Ferguson placed fifth in in the Short Go and and average in Steer Wrestling.
Justus Whitcher placed third in the Long Go of Steer Wrestling and won the Short Go with a time of 6.7 seconds. He also won the average.
Wenceslao “Lightning” Aguilera and Kolby Miller qualified for the Short Go in Team Roping. Aguilera and Miller are ranked No. 1 in the Southern Region standings.
In Barrel Racing, Kacy Kirby took third in the First Go with a fast time of 16.84. Kirby also nabbed third in the Short Go and second in average.
Austin Gross finished second in Bull Riding in the Long Go and second in average. Gross is ranked No. 3 in the Southern Region.
The top three in each event in the Southern Region advance to the College National Finals Rodeo.
There are two more regional events on the schedule.
#CELEBRATING7
The college/community celebration of the Lady Cardinals’ seventh NJCAA championship is scheduled Wednesday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Gym.
The public is invited to attend.
SOFTBALL
The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to be on the road Thursday, taking on San Jacinto in a non-conference doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m.
The next home game for the Lady Cardinals is Saturday, April 6 against Kilgore. Game times are 1 and 3 p.m.
The Lady Cardinals had the brooms out Monday afternoon at Cain Park, sweeping Angelina in non-conference doubleheader action. Coach Ashley Johnston’s squad won both games by a 7-3 score.
Erica Jordan had a huge day for the Lady Cardinals. In the two games, she went 4-for-5 with a pair of three-run home runs, a double and eight RBI.
In Game 1, Jordan was 3-for-3. Tessa Thomas was 1-for-2.
Kayla Cosby was the winning pitcher, scattering six hits.
Joining Jordan with multiple hits in the second game were Melissa Billingsley (2-for-3), Chantelle Whitehead (2-for-3), Alex el Cassabgui (2-for-3) and Thomas (2-for-3). Whitehead and Thomas each had a pair of doubles and Billingsley had a triple.
Melissa Boland had a hit and drove in a run.
Kim Leschber picked up the win on the mound.
The sweep improved the Lady Cardinals to 21-14 overall. They are 3-3 in non-conference play.
The Lady Cardinals, who have now won four straight, take to the road Thursday for a non-conference doubleheader against San Jacinto. Their next home doubleheader is scheduled Saturday, April 6 against Kilgore at 1 and 3 p.m.
SPRING FOOTBALL
The Cardinals kicked off their spring football workouts Monday and will continue through April.
Workouts are scheduled four days a week for five weeks, including some Saturday practices at Bruce Field in April. Afternoon workouts at the practice field begin around 3:15 p.m. each day and the public is invited to attend.
#CELEBRATING7
Plans for a college/community celebration of the Lady Cardinals’ seventh NJCAA championship are being finalized.
Stay tuned for the announcement when #CELEBRATING7 is scheduled.
IN APPRECIATION
The Lady Cardinal basketball team would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to the Cardinal Cheerleaders and the Cardinal Regiment Pep Band for their support all season, including at the national tournament. You are the best at what you do!
With those two outstanding groups, along with the Lady Cardinal fans attending the national tournament, it felt like home games at the Bicentennial Center. Also, the Lady Cardinals are appreciative to all the fans back home watching the games online and wearing red.
Championships are a team effort – a total team effort. Thank you for being a part of it.
