Spokane Stealth wears Sunday pink for cancer awareness

Sundays are pink days for the Spokane Stealth 16U softball team.

Cindy Schmitt, the sister-in-law of Stealth head coach Bruce Schmitt and the aunt of player Lauren Schmitt, has breast cancer. To help create awareness of the disease and to show support for “Aunt Cindy” as she battles this disease, the team is doing battle on the field wearing pink uniforms on Sundays.

“The idea started a year ago when the mother of one of our players, Kim Johnson, was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer,” Bruce Schmitt said.

“The coaching staff thought it would be a great way for the team to show their support and the players really responded well,” he added. “They are proud to wear their ‘Pinks;’ they love playing in them and what they symbolize.”

Schmitt said the pink uniforms were introduced at a tournament late in the summer of 2013.

“We were losing by several runs and the team came back to win the championship game on a walk-off hit in the last inning,” he said. “I believe the ‘Pinks’ were a big part of that victory. We never gave up.”

Cindy Schmitt attends games when she can and recently made it to a doubleheader after a chemotherapy treatment.

“I am honored to be recognized by the team,” she said. “Like softball, cancer is a battle and a team effort. They play so hard it inspires me to battle just as hard. Seeing the girls in pink and knowing they are part of my team as well helps me to fight harder.”

Soccer

Connor Ourada and Matt Beaulaurier of Ferris and Cheney’s Ian Schimadle and Micah Weller were voted to the first team of their respective classes by the Washington State Soccer Coaches Association.

Ourada (midfielder) and Beaulaurier (defender), both seniors, led the Saxons to the state 4A championship game against Snohomish this past spring. Teammate Terry Cox, a junior forward, made the second team along with Lewis and Clark senior defender Ben Thompson.

Mt. Spokane goalkeeper Robert Powles, a senior, made the second team in the 3A division.

Cheney seniors Schimandle (forward), and Weller (midfielder) had company on the 2A team. Teammate Trevan Esterlado, a senior midfielder, made the second team and junior defender Cruz Galm made the honorable mention list.