CITRA, FL (352today.com) – The 2023 North Marion High School (NMHS) baseball players received their state championship rings in a ceremony held Friday, Nov. 3, at the school’s gym. This event solidified the team’s place in school history.
NMHS baseball clinched the Class 4A state title this past May after defeating Bishop Kenny in Fort Myers.
The NMHS baseball team is the first to win not just a state baseball title, but the first to win a state championship in any sport for the school. Players, coaches, staff, administrators, family, and friends and the community gathered to celebrate the huge accomplishment.
“As your Principal, I am not only proud of the victory but of the values this team and staff embody,” said NMHS Principal Carol Sales. “By approaching each practice and game with a determination to win coupled with the guidance of an amazing coaching staff, we hold a state title.”
As we all know, the road to success isn’t always easy. It takes determination and drive, and that’s exactly what this team showed day in and day out last season.
“Our guys put in a lot of hard work between our staff and our players to get to that point. Obviously, it took a lot of luck, just everything went our way, and we were able to hoist up our championship trophy and now we get to enjoy our championship ring,” said Head Coach Dale Hall.
For many of the guys, it’s a dream come true.
“I’ve always been dreaming about it. It’s something I’ve always went to bed thinking about and now that it’s actually happened. I still can’t believe it. It’s just a great thing,” said Samuel Cauthen, an outfielder for the team.
Coach Hall says talent is everywhere, but that it takes more than just talent to win a championship.
“What wins a state championship is guys that truly care for each other. They’re selfless,” expressed Hall.
Cauthen described this championship team as a ‘family.’
Coach Hall says that although they were able to bring home a state title, it doesn’t stop there. He says “building” is his focus for this upcoming season.
“My biggest fear as a head coach and I’m sure our assistant coaches would feel the same way is we don’t want anybody looking at our coaching staff and thinking we are satisfied where we’re at,” said Hall. “Our goal is to lay it out on the line every single day and play and practice as hard as we can.”
He added that this year’s team is going to be ‘like no other’ and that they are putting in the work to make sure of that.
“We put in the time each and every day, and where that leads us, we have no idea, but we know that we’re going to give it our all and that allows us to go home and sleep good at night,” said Hall.