The four wear dedication to their sport as if it were a jersey, smeared with the sweat and dirt of a long practice on a spring afternoon. They share easy smiles and four years' worth of stories and secrets. They bring class and experience to the softball diamond each time they step on it.
The senior class of Cavaliers, Brit Gore, Johanna Kaiser, Ruby Rojas and Katie Weinberg have played almost 700 games between them for the Virginia softball team and have found much common ground along the way. They have shared dugouts across the nation and the grueling ritual of daily practice for four seasons. But the representatives of the class of 2003 say that what they will remember most is each other.
"Reflecting on senior day, what brought a tear to my eye was not necessarily remembering an error or a hit, it was looking at my teammates and my fellow fourth-years," Kaiser said.
The connection between the players was clear as they stood together to reflect on their Virginia careers. They finished each others' sentences, bragged about each others' accomplishments, shared giggles and hugs. Their class, they said, had developed a special bond, beyond what connects regular teammates.
"We've all developed relationships that are not even based on softball," Weinberg said. "It's a deep friendship."
Despite many collective contributions, the four women have distinguished themselves as individual players. Gore, a catcher, was recognized by her teammates for her strong arm and nearly impeccable defense. Gore went into the 2003 season with a .986 career fielding percentage and will work in California next year as she decides between a career in design and law.
"As an outfielder, we always look to Brit for where the ball's supposed to be going," Weinberg said. "She's by far the smartest player on the team, and has instincts that are just amazing."
Weinberg knows something about intelligence. In addition to her top-20 position in Virginia's record books for games played and stolen bases, she is a three-time selection to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
"It's hard," Weinberg said on balancing school and softball. "There's no trick to the trade. I'm just a hard worker, and you learn to make sacrifices."
She plans to persue a career in sports marketing after graduation.
Kaiser also is on the career path, having landed a marketing position with Rubbermaid. Kaiser started her freshman season as the Cavaliers' shortstop but found success in the outfield for the next three years and finished 2002 with a perfect fielding percentage.
"My college career has completely exceeded all expectations," Kaiser said. "While figures may not say that, what I've gotten out of this is the most incredible experience and the best friendships."
Rojas, a first and third baseman, holds second place in school history for home runs and RBIs and is third in total bases and fourth in hits. She competes internationally as a member of the Venezuelan national team. Rojas is confident that her success on the field will lead to future success.
"Just being a student-athlete in general teaches you a lot about life," Rojas said.
She will take the lessons she has learned to Long Beach State next year, where she will work on a master's in physical education and serve as the graduate assistant for the softball team, but she will take with her the friendships and memories shared with each of her senior teammates.
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