By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Jennifer Williamson used to get a rush performing in front of the Minges Maniacs. But that pales in comparison to how Williamson feels when she struts her stuff in front of thousands of fans.
Williamson, a former ECU Dance Team member, is now a performer with the Charlotte Bobcats Dance Team.
While several eyes follow her every move, Williamson says the most gratifying feeling she gets is putting a smile on a little girl’s face.
While Williamson has danced in front of large audiences before, she still remembers her first performance at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
Williamson and her teammates do much more than just perform at games.
Williamson had to go through a rigorous tryout to make the team. She was one of over 400 applicants who signed up for auditions.
The judges and coaches picked 19 team members and four alternates. Williamson still remembers her reaction to hearing her name get called.
Now that she’s made the team, the attractive, athletic performer constantly works out to stay in shape.
It takes much more than simply being pretty and physically fit to compete at the next level. Going from high school to college is a giant step in its own right.
Once an athlete has reached the next plateau, the work doesn’t stop.
Along with the physical work, Williamson said getting to the next level also takes a commitment and hard work in the classroom.
Through her hard work, Williamson is now performing on one of the biggest stages imaginable.
Williamson is living her dream as a Bobcat dancer, and that dream gets all the sweeter when she can put a smile on a fan’s face. Especially a little girl’s face.
College baseball, softball players ready to go
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
The East Carolina baseball team had to wait for Mother Nature before they could take to the field for its scheduled first official practice Friday afternoon.
The Pirates begin the season Feb. 22 at South Carolina.
Freshman Trent Whitehead, a former star at Washington High School, is hoping to help lead the team to some lofty goals.
T.J. Hose, ECU’s pitching ace, said the team’s focus is playing in the College World Series.
Hose believes the Pirates have the tools necessary to make a deep run this year.
Mount Olive College will begin its season today with a doubleheader at home against Tusculum. Trojan second baseman Anthony Williams, a former standout at Williamston High School, is looking to help his team any way possible.
Two other former Tigers are teaming up once again at Elizabeth City State University. J.J. House an Styron Barfield are hoping for big things for the Vikings, who open play Feb. 13 at The Apprentice School in Hampton, Va.
Barfield, a standout pitcher for the Vikings, is ready to take the ball again.
SOFTBALL
Several former area stars and East Carolina athletes have been gearing up for the softball seasons to begin.
Games get started much sooner for some than others.
Nicole Jordan, who had a sensational freshman year at Pitt Community College last year, and her Bulldogs begin play Sunday at Mount Olive College. The former Jamesville High School standout is looking for an even stronger season this year.
In the other dugout will be former Columbia High School standout Kat Cahoon, who had a solid year with Mount Olive last season.
Meredith Knox and her Anderson University Trojans will also be in action Sunday as they play host to Lincoln Memorial. Knox, a former star at Washington High School, was voted the conference Freshman of the Year last season.
Frannie Pittman, a former standout at Plymouth High School who has earned a couple awards during her college playing days, and the N.C. Central Eagles will be joined by East Carolina at a tournament hosted by the University of North Carolina. The Eagles open play Feb. 8 against Kent State in the tournament.
ECU will play N.C. Central in its first game at the tournament. Pirate seniors Beth Nolan and Erin St. Ledger are hoping for a hot start.
St. Ledger, the team’s second baseman, is looking to avoid peaks and valleys this year.
Meanwhile, ECU freshman Jillian Gallagher has been getting accustomed to the college game.
A healthy Mika Gurganus is hoping to stay that way all season for the Barton College Bulldogs, who open the season Feb. 14 at home against N.C. Central. Gurganus, who will start at second base, has overcome a torn MCL, sprained meniscus and sprained LCL.