The "It's Not What They Wanted, But.......Story

It was an ordinary day.  Had just opened the Sports Section of my Sunday News and saw the headline.  'DIDN'T SEE ANY QUIT'. 'Blue Streaks leave it all on the field in state silver-medal finish! Not what they wanted, but what a season!!

I have been following the Manheim Township High School field hockey team all fall and knew just how good they were!  Team after team was defeated, with some being annihilated.   I taught for over 30 years at Manheim Township High School and never remember any team doing as well as they did.   They had a fantastic season last year and I knew they would have an exceptional one this year, since they had a powerhouse of field hockey players returning from their season last year.  Most of their skilled players were returning, including the twin Campagna sisters whom lived across the street from my former home on Harrington Drive.  I have followed their high school careers for a few years now and knew they were going to have a fantastic senior season.  I know how tough it is right now, having gone through the same thing myself as a coach.  But...as time passes, they will realize how great a season they had this year.  A record of  24-2-1 is tough to beat by anyone.  This past Saturday they played a team from Emmaus, Pennsyvania in the PIAA Class 3A Field Hockey State Championship, and dropped a 1-0 decision.  They only gave up 1 stinking goal!!  What a defense!!  It is a game they will never forget.  And...some day they will realize just how hard it is to get that far in any sport...and maybe...just maybe...they will realize how good they really were!  On page C3 of the Sports Section of my newspaper was a list of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Field Hockey All-Stars.  Three Township players made All-League (Brenna Campagna, Brooke Weaver and Gracie Clawson), while two more made second team (Rhylee Givens and Sarah Ebersole).  The Section One First Team athletes were Brenna Campagna, Calli Campagna, Zoe Caloviras, Gracie Clawson, Karys Craver, Brooke Weaver, and Julia Weaver.  The team that beat the Blue Streaks was Emmaus by a score of 1-0.  It was the only goal allowed by the Manheim Township High School "Blue Streaks" throughout the entire State 3A State Tournament.  I want to congratulate all the girls on the Manheim Township Field Hockey Team.  You made me as well as all those living in Manheim Township proud of your accomplishments.  I know...you may feel sad about the results, but think how many girls in the state of Pennsylvania would have been thrilled to have done what you did!  One day you will realize how fantastic an accomplishment you achieved on Saturday, November 18, 2023.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.