First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”The Lakewood softball team started the first days of their 2020 season with such optimism. They were favored to make a run for the state championship this year. But as the news started coming in about a potential pandemic players got nervous. When a shutdown was issued for schools in March the girls were devastated but kept their faith. They continued to practice at home. Alone. Finished their school work at home. Alone. And even graduate in an empty gym. They began to loose hope of having even a shortened season. Their coach knew the team, especially the seniors needed closure so he organized a senior night game pitting JV against varsity so the team could play on their home field in 2020.As winter turned to spring the Lakewood softball team began practice for their upcoming season March 11, 2020, yet unaware that the pandemic would hit canceling what was a highly anticipated season.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Laila Schmitt and Heather Young get ready in the Lakewood locker rooms before having their team pictures taken March 13, 2020. Their Coach Jon Griffith wanted to make sure the team got their pictures taken before the shut down in case their season was canceled. At the time there were so many uncertainties and the girls were all holding out hope they would only be out three weeks of their season.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Lakewood players uncover the field for the last time before the shutdown began March 13 2020. At the time there were so many uncertainties and the girls were all holding out hope they would only be out three weeks of their season.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Lakewood senior and third baseman, Kylah Morrison, laughs while visiting with friends May 7, 2020, during the shut down. She and her friends met in a parking lot and stayed in their cars to abide by social distancing guidelines, laughing and gossiping for hours.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Katie Chittum, pitcher for Lakewood softball, studies for her AP exam at home on May 1, 2020. As schools shut down students were forced to work online in their homes.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Keelie Davis practices her hitting skills in her garage in April during the shut down. Davis, like her teammates, remained hopeful their season would not be completely canceled and wanted to keep her skills sharp.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Kylah Morrison walks through the cornfield looking for softballs April 7. Kylah the balls into the field while working on her hitting skills in her backyard. Kylah who was a senior was especially heartbroken at missing her final season with her high school team.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”By June the stands at the Lakewood softball field became overgrown with weeds. The field stood empty. All signs of the springtime lockdown in Ohio that prevents students from going to school and athletes playing their games.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Lakewood senior, Laila Schmitt wrestles with balloons that spell out 2020 for their senior night they had June 30. Their season was canceled but OHSAA regulations allowed teams to cobble together a makeshift summer season to let kids play with their teams. Lakewood senior night was a family affair and saw the JV team take on varsity players.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Katie Chittum, now a Lakewood graduate, talks with her mom after readjusting her cap and giving the invocation during her graduation, May 18 2020. Due to the pandemic students had to sign up for a time slot and walk through an empty gym with only four family members in attendee to cheer them. The ceremony was recored and played online when their ceremony would have been held.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Katie Barton does pull-ups in the dugout after picture day, March 13. Lakewood coach Jon Griffith made sure the team got their picture taken before the shutdown began.
First Place, Sports Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “The Season That Almost Was”Lakewood senior, Kaitlyn Vaubel raises flowers she received at senior night after being honored with her parents and other seniors June 30, 2020. The varsity team then played the JV team for one final game.
