Lady Gladiators show signs of going far after Spring Break Classic

Image: The eyes of Jennifer Reeves, Sa’Kendra Norwood and Breyanna Beets — With their focus on the big picture, the Lady Gladiators pull inspiration from Constantine just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius on October 28, 312. According to legend, a cross appeared to Constantine in the sky, after which he adopted the Latin motto “In hoc signo vinces” (In this sign you shall conquer).

The eyes of Jennifer Reeves, Sa’Kendra Norwood and Breyanna Beets — With their focus on the big picture, the Lady Gladiators pull inspiration from Constantine just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius on October 28, 312. According to legend, a cross appeared to Constantine in the sky, after which he adopted the Latin motto “In hoc signo vinces” (In this sign you shall conquer).

Image: Cassi crosses the plate — Cassi jeffords crosses home plate behind Catcher Alyssa Richards during the lady Gladiators’ Monday practice session.

Cassi crosses the plate — Cassi jeffords crosses home plate behind Catcher Alyssa Richards during the lady Gladiators’ Monday practice session. (Barry Byers)

Image: Swing away — Coach Jennifer Reeves and the lady Gladiator Softball Team will try to hit a championship out of the park this season.

Swing away — Coach Jennifer Reeves and the lady Gladiator Softball Team will try to hit a championship out of the park this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Drew fields a grounder — Drew Windham gets some work done during Monday’s practice despite a sore leg.

Drew fields a grounder — Drew Windham gets some work done during Monday’s practice despite a sore leg. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rounding 3rd — Katie Byers turns the corner at 3rd during situational drills.

Rounding 3rd — Katie Byers turns the corner at 3rd during situational drills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Base work — Anna Viers returns the ball to the pitcher’s mound after a play at 2nd base with teammate Sierra Harris.

Base work — Anna Viers returns the ball to the pitcher’s mound after a play at 2nd base with teammate Sierra Harris. (Barry Byers)

Image: Watching coach — Paola Mata, Katie Byers, Sierra Harris and Alyssa Richards listen to Coach Reeves explain proper bunting techniques.

Watching coach — Paola Mata, Katie Byers, Sierra Harris and Alyssa Richards listen to Coach Reeves explain proper bunting techniques. (Barry Byers)

Image: Battle tested — The softball glove of pitcher Courtney Westbrook is broken in and ready for battle.

Battle tested — The softball glove of pitcher Courtney Westbrook is broken in and ready for battle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sierra’s on 3rd — Center fielder Khadijah Davis and shortstop Anna Viers try to keep Sierra Harris from scoring.

Sierra’s on 3rd — Center fielder Khadijah Davis and shortstop Anna Viers try to keep Sierra Harris from scoring. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paola peers out — Paola Mata keeps her eyes on the ball while running the bases.

Paola peers out — Paola Mata keeps her eyes on the ball while running the bases. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors combine — Drew Windham flips the ball to fellow senior, Cori Jeffords, for the out.

Seniors combine — Drew Windham flips the ball to fellow senior, Cori Jeffords, for the out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Good day for a cap — For Megan Richards, her glove will work just fine.

Good day for a cap — For Megan Richards, her glove will work just fine. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ouch! — Coaches Andrea Windham and Jennifer Reeves check out the battle scar on Anna Viers.

Ouch! — Coaches Andrea Windham and Jennifer Reeves check out the battle scar on Anna Viers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Take a break — Paola Mata and Alma Suaste relax during a break from practice.

Take a break — Paola Mata and Alma Suaste relax during a break from practice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sis, help! — Megan Richards helps her little sister, Alyssa Richards, get dressed for her catching duties.

Sis, help! — Megan Richards helps her little sister, Alyssa Richards, get dressed for her catching duties. (Barry Byers)

Image: Courtney Westbrook — Pitcher Courtney Westbrook pitched 6 games in a three day period to help the Lady Gladiators get 3rd place in the Silver bracket during the Spring Break Classic held in Farmers Branch, Texas.

Courtney Westbrook — Pitcher Courtney Westbrook pitched 6 games in a three day period to help the Lady Gladiators get 3rd place in the Silver bracket during the Spring Break Classic held in Farmers Branch, Texas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards — That smile behind the mask belongs to freshman Alyssa Richards.

Alyssa Richards — That smile behind the mask belongs to freshman Alyssa Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catching some heat — Catcher Alyssa Richards is entrusted with catching the fast balls from Lady Gladiator pitchers.

Catching some heat — Catcher Alyssa Richards is entrusted with catching the fast balls from Lady Gladiator pitchers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Beets in her cleats — Breyanna Beets is ready to race home.

Beets in her cleats — Breyanna Beets is ready to race home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Westbrook pitches — Courtney Westbrook releases a pitch while teammate Sa’Kendra Norwood heads for 2nd base.

Westbrook pitches — Courtney Westbrook releases a pitch while teammate Sa’Kendra Norwood heads for 2nd base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sitting at home — An exhausted Alyssa Richards sits at her home away from home.

Sitting at home — An exhausted Alyssa Richards sits at her home away from home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Softball talk — Coach Jennifer Reeves talks to the team before ending Monday’s practice.

Softball talk — Coach Jennifer Reeves talks to the team before ending Monday’s practice. (Barry Byers)

Image: All-Tournament Team — Catcher Alyssa Richards made the Spring Break Classic All-Tournament Team. Not bad, considering Richards and her teammates were the only 1A school that competed. Richards threw out 6 runners on their way to 2nd during the tournament.

All-Tournament Team — Catcher Alyssa Richards made the Spring Break Classic All-Tournament Team. Not bad, considering Richards and her teammates were the only 1A school that competed. Richards threw out 6 runners on their way to 2nd during the tournament. (Barry Byers)

Image: 3rd place winners! — Members of the Lady Gladiator Softball Team, that competed in the Spring Break Classic in Farmers Branch, Texas are: Alma Suaste, Khadijah Davis, Katie Byers, Morgan Cockerham, Sierra Harris, Cori Jeffords, Drew Windham, Meredith Brummett, Alyssa Richards, Courtney Westbrook, Megan Richards and Anna Viers.

3rd place winners! — Members of the Lady Gladiator Softball Team, that competed in the Spring Break Classic in Farmers Branch, Texas are: Alma Suaste, Khadijah Davis, Katie Byers, Morgan Cockerham, Sierra Harris, Cori Jeffords, Drew Windham, Meredith Brummett, Alyssa Richards, Courtney Westbrook, Megan Richards and Anna Viers. (Barry Byers)

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