CHULA
VISTA, Calif. – Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball player
Danyele Gomez is attending the 2003 USA Softball Olympic
Trials being held Sept. 2-7 and has begun a diary of her
experiences. Danyele is the second Louisiana native from the
Cajuns softball program to be invited to a USA Softball
tryout. She is competing with 45 others athletes from across
the nation, including her former teammate Becky McMurtry,
for one of 15 spots on the 2004 Olympic team which will
compete in Athens, Greece for the gold medal. Below is her
diary entry from Thursday, Sept. 4.
Thursday,
Sept. 4, 2003
Everyday
I learn something new - not just about softball or
competition but LIFE. I know what they mean when they
say that, "the competition is life". How true it is.
The
format of the scrimmages are such that you only get 2
at bats per game and only one at bat off of any
pitcher. It definitely favors the pitchers - not many
hits going on here. But it is awesome to get to stand
in against the best pitchers in the world and see
their stuff. I am lucky though - at Lady Cajun Park-
I get to stand in against the best pitcher in the
world everyday - sorry Coach Mike that would be
Brooke.
I miss
my team. Team is more than just a group of people who
are playing a game or trying out. Team is what we
have in Lafayette - people who CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.
People who help each other chase their dreams, who
make each other better and who take time to make
you feel good about yourself. You know and I know
that my team "got my back" and that is a good thing.
This week, I miss my teammates.
Also on
my team is my family - my dad and mom. My biggest
supporters. My ROCK. The people who have taught me
the values worthy of wearing RED, WHITE & BLUE. The
values of hard work, dedication, discipline, treating
others the way you want to be treated, always doing
your best, honoring your commitments, getting your
friends' back, always busting your tail, never backing
down because of fear, believing in my God given talent
and abilities, being thankful, giving glory to God. I
could go on and on. Thanks mom and dad for all you do
and have done for me. You're the best and I love you.
I know I
am up here thinking about my family and friends and
team -- and that is why and how I compete; with the
support of so many that love and care about me and who
I love and care about so much.
Happiness is important to me. Just recently, a high
school friend of mine was killed in an accident.
Wow. Tough. I am learning to live everyday and every
moment to its fullest. Do not take things for
granted. Smell the roses.
Whether
or not I make the USA team, I am so lucky and
fortunate and blessed to have the best family and
friends. I want to thank you all - all of the Ragin
Cajun fans - for all of the support and prayers and
good wishes. You're the best.
As I am
here sitting in my room playing all the scenarios
through my mind, I realized that if I do not make the
cut then I am still in an awesome situation. I would
be back in Lafayette on Monday - in class in the
morning and at practice that afternoon and eating
crawfish and boudin balls for supper. Not a bad
alternative either, getting to play for the Lady
Cajuns and having a great chance to win a National
Championship. I am still hopeful and will let the
chips fall where they may - but either way I chose to
look at this opportunity as positive and one that
makes me understand what truly makes me happy and what
is truly important to me in my life - GOD, family,
friends, school and ball. I got my cake (or better
yet my momma's cooking, crawfish and boudin) and can
eat it too already - right there in Lafayette,
Louisiana. I'm all the way in California and I
realize how happy I am in Cajun country.
I want
you all to know that I am doing my best and trying my
hardest and that I will always compete with all my
might. I want you all to be proud of me and my
efforts and what I stand for because I am surely proud
of you.
One
thing is for sure - this experience has taught me that
I have the foundation - the values, the softball
skills, the understanding of team, the ability to
compete - worthy of wearing RED, WHITE & BLUE -
thanks to my parents, my teammates and the Cajun fans.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
