Kirsten Stoneking, softball
Junior Kirsten Stoneking has recently been recognized as the female representative for Jefferson-Morgan High School in the “Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight” series for the spring sports season.
Stoneking was a member of the Lady Rockets’ softball team in 2013 and had to provide leadership for the young squad with no seniors on the roster.
“We were so young this year,” Stoneking said. “We had about six freshmen in our starting line-up and we learned a lot about this section and the game. I was so proud of our team this year. We didn’t put our heads down and played hard in every game.”
Stoneking, who carried a 3.38 grade-point average last nine weeks, was one of two juniors on a roster that was primarily full of sophomores and freshmen.
For her most memorable athletic moment in her high school career so far, Stoneking mentioned making the softball playoffs in 2012.
In 2012, the Lady Rockets posted a 16-4 record and defeated Elderton in the first round of the Class A postseason, before losing to eventual champion Chartiers-Houston in the quarterfinals.
This year, J-M tallied a 12-8 mark and was two games behind the third and final spot in the reformed and very competitive Section 2-A.
“Every game in the section was tough,” Stoneking said. “But we never backed down and we played some close games against Carmichaels, Frazier and Serra Catholic. We are only going to get better and I think near the end of the season we came together as a team.”
For her future plans, Stoneking wants to study nursing at Waynesburg University.
“I have always wanted to be a nurse,” Stoneking said. “I have had two cousins that went to Waynesburg University recently and studied nursing. They are both working now and really love their jobs. That kind of rubbed off on me, I think.”
Stoneking’s greatest influence on her as an athlete is J-M’s assistant coach Chris Dugan.
“Coach Dugan is my uncle and he has coached me since I was little,” Stoneking said. “He has always been there for me and is just an awesome person. In October, he got diagnosed with colon cancer and it was really tough for everybody. He stayed so positive and was himself as he fought cancer and went through all of the surgeries. Right now he is going through chemo. He is a big inspiration in my life.”
The “Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight” is designed to recognize the top male and female student-athlete per high school sports’ season (fall, winter, spring) for the five Greene County schools.
The student-athletes are selected by the respective schools and submitted to the Greene County Messenger.
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Kirsten Stoneking is Jefferson-Morgan’s female selection for spring sports in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Kirsten Stoneking
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College plans: Waynesburg University to study nursing.
Favorite subject, teacher: English, Mrs. Huba.
Twitter, Facebook or texting: Twitter.
Most memorable sports moment (so far): Making the softball playoffs.
Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo.
Least favorite cafeteria food: Cheeseburger.
Most recent book read (excluding textbooks): The Scarlett Letter.
All-time favorite movie: Pitch Perfect.
On my iPod: Come and Get It, by Selena Gomez.
Most admired professional athlete: Jennie Finch.
Greatest influence on you as an athlete: Assistant softball coach Chris Dugan.
In 10 years, I will be: Working in a hospital as a registered nurse.
If I were President of the United States for one day, I would: Lower taxes and have a big party on the White House lawn.
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