Greeley West’s softball team, comprised of talented athletes, demonstrated hard work and passion throughout the season. And with senior night set for October 9 against Roosevelt, the 11-9 Spartan seniors are reflecting on their season.
Senior outfielder Cali shared her journey, experiences, and her thoughts on what makes this team good as they push through their season.
Tryan has been playing softball for as long as she can remember. Her love for the sport came from watching her uncle Logan Moore in the Mexican league. His team name is Iron Pigs in the major leagues. “What really got me into it was watching my uncle Logan play major league.”
Now, Tryan is in the outfield, where she enjoys the culture her teammates have created. “When we make an out, we do fun hand sign stuff,” she explained, saying how small rituals bring the team closer.
The influence behind Tryan’s softball career is within her family, especially her mom. “My biggest influence throughout softball has been my mom. She pushed me to play for Greeley West even before my freshman year,” Tryan said. That encouragement has paid off in a team with strong chemistry. “We all enjoy spending time together in and out of practice, especially during team bonding,” she added.
One of the most memorable moments for Tryan this season was the freshman initiation, where the underclassmen were dressed as minions, a lighthearted tradition that strengthens team spirit. Motivation before games comes from their mindset: “We have a small pep talk where we remind each other to play good for each other rather than ourselves.”
Doing her academics and athletics hasn’t been easy. Tryan said, “The toughest part about being a student-athlete is maintaining my grades while missing so much school.” Still, she’s learned to overcome mental issues, which has made her stronger on the field. “A challenge I faced was getting out of my head and focusing on softball.”
To improve, Tryan focuses on putting in effort every day and doing better than before. The team also keeps up pregame, where infielders and outfielders separately gather for a small saying to wish each other luck.
Looking ahead, Tryan is most excited for their rivalry game against Roosevelt on October 9th. “It’s senior night, so that it will be a special game,” she said.
