By Hailey Maes
The end of a sports season for a senior is always a sad time, a time to look back on past accomplishments and past seasons. After four long and hard years, Kieya Belmont hung up her cleats and reflected on her last season in red and white.
For Belmont her last season on the field was not exactly the season she had in mind.
“My expectations were high coming into this season. We were an older team with lots of experience, sadly my expectations were a bit too high.”
Going 0-30 her first three seasons at Centennial, Belmont went into the 2020 season with high hopes for a solid season. The Bulldogs were able to come up with a South-Central League win for the first time in three years against Pueblo County. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were not able to produce another league win.
Due to Covid-19 high school softball faced major challenges, Belmont had to deal with the fact that her senior season was cut almost completely in half.
“Everything was shorter. We had less games and I feel that was a major difference softball has had from last season. Our season was cut in half and only 16 teams went to state,” Belmont explained.
Although Belmont did not have her ideal senior season, after four years as a varsity starter, Centennial softball made a huge impact on her.
“Playing softball at Centennial has changed my mentality. I was used to being on an amazing club team that had chemistry, learning how to struggle and fight for your team made me a better person,” Belmont stated.
Perhaps the hardest part about graduating is the goodbye.
“The hardest part about leaving the team will be Coach Erica. She has been an important part of my journey and I will miss her dearly,” Belmont said.
But as Belmont leaves the Centennial softball program, she has left big shoes to fill on the field.
“Younger athletes, no matter what, you always need to fight until the end. Every single minute counts,” Belmont said as her last goodbye to Centennial softball.
