O’Fallon softball team hopes this season will be remembered for more than coronavirus
The O’Fallon Panthers softball team had every right to believe 2020 was going to be their year.
After all, coach Lauren Muniz’ squad was returning nine players who at one time or another were in the starting lineup on a team that won 25 games, defeated Edwardsville to win a first round sectional game and gave state power Moline a scare before losing 1-0 in a Class 4A sectional final in 2019.
The returning Panthers include standout infielder Miley Brunner and ace Hayleigh Juenger, reigning News-Democrat Large School Player of the year and a 21-game winner last year.
Yes, the 2020 season was shaping up to be one to be remembered. And it will be, but for all the wrong reasons. The Panthers, like all spring high school athletic teams around the nation, head into the second weekend of April wondering whether the COVID-19 pandemic will prevent them from having a season.
Or a prom. Or if they will return to school. Or in the case of high schools, if there will be a graduation ceremony.
“The thing I was looking forward to most about this season was getting to spend my last semester of high school with some of the most amazing teammates and coaches I know,” Brunner said. “We really had an amazing team this season, and it breaks my heart to think we may not even get a chance to get on the field together.”
Illinois schools are closed at least until April 30 under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay at home order.
Illinois High School Association Executive Director Craig Anderson said last week that he remained optimistic that if schools reopen on May 1, there could be a limited spring season that culminates with IHSA State Series tournaments in June.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday that state schools there will stay closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
Muniz said that despite the stay-at-home order in Illinois, she remains hopeful her softball team will have the opportunity to compete in May.
“We have an excellent squad this season, and we all believe we can accomplish a lot. Not playing is extremely disappointing. As a coach, I want to keep my athletes healthy. That is always the first priority. But it’s still very hard to comprehend that it’s the second week of April and we haven’t seen each other or stepped foot on a field in nearly four weeks,” Muniz said. “But we continue to have hope for better days ahead.
“Our athletes continue to workout at home following social distancing guidelines, as much as possible, because if we do have the opportunity to compete this season, they want to be ready.”
Missing friends, teammates and school
Both Juenger and Brunner are among the lucky ones who have their college plans in place and are not reliant in needing to showcase their talents this spring to secure scholarships.
Juenger will attend and play college softball at Brown University in the Ivy League. Still, not being able to enjoy the final semester of high school and everything that goes with it has been difficult.
“At first, it hit me really hard. I was very upset about all the activities I was missing and would continue to miss,” she said. “I wanted to be back at school, to see my friends, and to play softball. But after taking some time to acknowledge my sadness, I decided to be grateful.
“Instead of focusing on all the things I was missing, I am focusing on all of the great things that are coming from the situation,” Juenger said. “I’m keeping my faith and trusting that there is a purpose for this. I still miss the things I would normally be doing right now, but I’m not letting it keep me from having a heart of gratitude.
“I think what I’m missing the most is just getting the opportunity to go out every day and do what I love with 30 built-in best friends. I miss all the tiny moments that become memories.”
Brunner, an exceptional two-sport athlete who also shines on the tennis courts, is headed to the University of Illinois but will not play sports. Therefore, her senior softball season at O’Fallon is going to be her last one on the diamond.
Like Juenger, Brunner is disappointed but has a realistic and mature take on the entire situation.
“To be going through this, especially as a senior, is pretty upsetting. Going into spring semester of senior year, I was beyond excited for all of the senior festivities. To have them all taken away, at least for now, makes me really disappointed. Although, I am dealing with all these negatives by focusing on the positive outcomes of COVID-19,” Brunner said.
“As this could likely be my last semester living at home, I am cherishing all this time I get to spend with my family. Plus, it gives me a lot of free time to pursue all the activities I didn’t have time for while school was still in session,” she said. “It is also important to look at the bigger picture here and see the importance of canceling all the things that we are.
“Everyone’s safety is by far the most important thing, so even though I’m upset everything may be canceled, I know that it may be the best thing for my community.”
