THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 23, 1995 TAG: 9507210243
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
DURING HER first three years at Nansemond River, Heather Behrends walked by the Warrior Wall of Fame in the school's cafeteria with a puzzled look on her face. Pictures of athletes who had been named First Team All-State lined the wall. The nine athletes - five for football, two for baseball and one each for basketball and wrestling - had one thing in common: They were all males.
``I'd look up there and think one of these days a girl has to make it,'' Behrends said. ``The boys sports were always better and more steady. They got more recognition and have been more talented so the guys up there deserved it. But the girls started to catch up this year.''
The girls did start to catch up this year, winning district titles in basketball, volleyball and field hockey. A girls sport had never won a district title before this year.
Last week, the Warriors' girls sports were given more proof that they were catching up when Behrends was named a First-Team All-State softball player by the Virginia High School Coaches Association.
``I'm still in shock because it wasn't something I ever thought about,'' the junior third baseman said. ``Coach (Jerry) Varacallo told me and I was very surprised.''
Varacallo said he wasn't surprised.
``Heather was our most consistent and steady player,'' he said. ``She only had five errors in 25 games and was our third-leading hitter. She's a well-rounded player.''
Behrends, who batted .433, said she concentrated more on fielding this year.
``I knew I could hit, but it was a lot different playing at third,'' said Behrends, who moved from second base after her freshman season. ``At second, you're further back so you get more time to react. At third, you're right in the batter's face so you have to be ready. My throws to first had to be more consistent and harder.''
Having Angie Gatling, who was named to the state second team, at first base helped, Behrends said.
``I know a couple of my errors were on throws, and I would have had a lot more if Angie wasn't playing first,'' Behrends said. ``She bailed me out a bunch of times and I thought she would make (First Team All-State) too.''
Varacallo said the girl who made the first team over Gatling was hard to top.
``Angie was going against someone who batted .589,'' he said. ``That's tough to compete against.''
Behrends was quick to point out that being named to the state first team was little consolation after an 8-2 loss to Richlands in the softball state semifinal last month.
``I wanted that championship game really bad,'' said Behrends, who also plays field hockey and volleyball. ``We thought we could win if we played like we had been playing all year. We didn't play like we should have until the last two innings and it was too late.''
Coupled with a loss in the state final, being named all-state will help motivate her for next year, Behrends said.
``I'll have to play better next year just to prove I deserve all-state,'' she said. ``If I don't make it, I'll feel like my level of play has dropped.''
Varacallo doesn't expect Behrends to relax when she returns to the softball field.
``She won't be one to sit back and rest on her laurels,'' Varacallo said. ``I expect her to come out and try to show that her accomplishment is for real.''
Behrends said she's confident, too, adding,``Maybe next year, I won't even have five errors.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Heather Behrends, who hit .433 this year, is ``a well-rounded
player,'' says Warriors coach Jerry Varacallo.
Photo
Angie Gatling
On state second team
Graphic
VHSCA All-State Softball Team
[for complete listing, see microfilm]
by CNB