THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030178
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 50 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
WESTERN BRANCH SOFTBALL player Cathy Arnette says she likes being behind the plate because she gets to be in on every play.
And she lives her life the same way.
Arnette, a junior, makes sure she's in on all the action around her.
Not only is she a standout in volleyball, basketball and softball, she's also a National Merit Scholar who boasts a 4.275 grade point average - the third-highest in her class. Arnette's also in the National Honor Society, plays the violin in the school orchestra and belongs to the Latin and Monogram clubs.
``For some kids, it's too much and they can't do the balancing act,'' Western Branch softball coach and athletic director Chris Ake said. ``I'm all for it as long as they can keep up. Cathy does a real good job of that.
``She's very intelligent and uses it well. She pays attention to what's going on around her and is smart enough to react.''
While her spring days are hectic with a full school schedule that includes advanced placement calculus, softball practice or a game and then Junior Olympic volleyball practice, Arnette doesn't having any problem fitting in with a very talented, senior-laden Bruins softball team.
She started the season batting ninth, a spot that Ake calls ``another lead-off position,'' but has moved up in the top half of the order with a .318 average. Arnette has a team-leading two home runs and eight RBIs.
``She's done so well that I need her up further,'' Ake said. ``She'll strike out every once in awhile, but she has a strong quick bat. We're working on getting her to slow her bat speed down.''
That's the only area in which Arnette is willing slow down.
She's eager to make her mark as one of the Southeastern District's top catchers after playing behind Angie Albertson, who graduated last year. Unable to beat out Albertson, Arnette played right field as a sophomore. This year, she's finally getting the chance to show her stuff behind the plate.
So far, Arnette's thrown out eight base runners trying to steal, picked off another and has a .900 fielding percentage.
``It's tough coming in with all these big stud seniors,'' Ake said. ``But she fits right in there.''
Arnette prides herself in being a competitor and says it's the reason why she's involved in so many activities.
``I always like doing something,'' she said. ``And I really like to win. I don't like doing things halfway. In everything I do, I want to be one of the best.''
And on the volleyball court, there's no question that she is. Arnette earned first team all-region, second team all-state and plays on a Junior Olympic team that has a grueling road schedule.
In between her various practices and school work, Arnette also managed to slip in time for the SAT challenge. On her first attempt, she came through with one of her greatest achievements, scoring a 1,400. A perfect score is 1,600.
``I might give it another try,'' she said.
But that's Cathy Arnette, always in on the big play at home. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Cathy Arnette, a three-sport star, is a National Merit Scholar with
a 4.275 grade point average.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB