Teen finds way in sports
Seeing herself in Sports Illustrated magazine’s “Faces in the Crowd” earlier this year was a big honor for Caitlin McCann, pitcher on the varsity softball team at Notre Dame High School in Belmont.
“I was so surprised that I was actually in the magazine,” the now-junior said. “We weren’t even sure I would be included until right before the issue was published.”
Caitlin’s reference to “we” includes her mother, Jenny, dad, Jim, and her 13 year-old brother, Conor, an eighth grade student at St. Matthew Elementary School, from which Caitlin graduated two years ago.
“A lot of people did see it,” Caitlin told Catholic San Francisco of the Sports Illustrated April issue. “My religion teacher actually asked me for my autograph.” Also saying “I saw you in SI” were boys at a camp where Caitlin worked for the first time this summer. “They told me they called me ‘the girl who was in Sports Illustrated,’” she said.
Caitlin has been playing softball since she was five years old and pitching – her current favorite position – since she was eight. Though not always easy to balance the practice and time for school, family and friends, she finds a way, she said. “I practice with my dad, work with my pitching coach and play just about year round,” Caitlin said. Her regimen also includes lifting weights twice a week and running with a teammate or her brother.
Caitlin’s social life also takes a hit sometimes from her pressing sports schedule. “It does make a pretty significant impact, but it’s a commitment I’ve made so I do everything I can to make it work,” she said. “It’s not always easy. Balance is the key and help from mom and dad.” Softball has also expanded Caitlin’s social life. “I have friends from all over the Bay Area and have been able to travel to cities throughout the West.”
Caitlin says her circle of friends mostly includes people involved in extracurricular activities or sports. “The friendships I have with my teammates are different than my other friendships,” Caitlin pointed out, saying that with teammates there is a “deep level of trust and it brings you closer together. You depend on them on the field and off.”
Caitlin says her years at Notre Dame have been and continue to be rewarding. “Notre Dame has been a great experience – very positive and enjoyable. What stands out most is winning the CCS Division II Softball Championship last spring.” English and Biology have been among her favorite subjects and both the class work and the teachers, Clare Wadbrook and Kristi Kelly “have made an impact on me.”
A goal for Caitlin is to play softball in college. “I love the sport,” she said, adding that playing for a “big softball school” like UCLA “would be “amazing” but whether she wants to attend a “big or small school” is still a question. “Getting a scholarship would be great,” she said, noting that this year is when “things really get started.”
Career paths are still uncertain, Caitlin said. “I’m not quite sure what I would like to do after school,” Caitlin said. “However, last year in biology we learned Marine Biology and I loved it. I like English, too.”
Faith has a big spot in Caitlin’s life, the St. Matthew parishioner said. “It helps keep me level-headed and reminds me of what’s really important on and off the field,” she said.
“My favorite athlete is Cat Osterman” Caitlin said. “She is an amazing pitcher! She played for the University of Texas Longhorns and on the U.S. Olympic Team. She’s been a great role model. She’s dedicated, in control of her emotions on the field and is very focused.”
Caitlin’s encouragement to students aspiring to high school and college sports is simple. “My best advice is stay on top of your schoolwork. That and practice, practice, practice. Overall it really comes down to learning how to balance your school and sports life. Strive to do what you feel is right. If playing a sport is important to you and you enjoy it, stick with it.”
By Tom Burke
From September 25, 2009 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
From September 25, 2009 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
