Editor's Note: The following article was submitting to Patch by Serra High spokesperson Antonia Ehlers. To submit an article for publication, please e-mail laura.dudnick@patch.com.
It was a proud morning for Serra varsity baseball players on Friday, when a new WCAL banner was hung in the Serra gymnasium. Emotions were high, as players pondered their early season struggles, mid-season amazing turnaround, and end-of-season .
“This banner isn't unprecedented, but it isn't simply one more title hanging from the gym ceiling,” said Serra Head Baseball Coach Craig Gianinno. “Rather, it represents a new volume in an epic story of excellence. It is a demonstration that even in the face of desperation and defeat, no obstacle, no failure, no challenge is insurmountable with perseverance, teamwork and the support of a cohesive community.”
Serra varsity players were fired up and even a bit emotional when the banner dropped from the gym ceiling. Collin Theroux, who will be a catcher at the University of Nevada next year, said the moment felt surreal.
When asked about the remarkable turnaround, Chris Romeo said it all had to do with the players’ respect for each other and the belief of Serra coaches that they could do it in the end.
“When we talked to Coach G at our lowest point, he told us not to give up and that we had to rely on each other,” recounted Romeo, who will attend Cal Poly in the fall. “That was the biggest thing for us. We didn’t give up on each other."
“If there are two messages we take from this moment, I hope they are these,” Gianinno noted. “First, I want to express on behalf of this program our gratitude for the unwavering support from the student body and Padre community. The second point is this: long after you've left Serra High School, when you've become the young men you are destined to become, remember this moment as an experiment in not giving up.”
After the ceremony, Gianinno acknowledged the exceptional varsity coaches, whom he described as “committed, tireless and selfless.” He also thanked the players for allowing his staff to be a part of an extraordinary journey this season.
“I am incredibly proud of our 2012 Padres and their commitment and belief in each other,” Gianinno said. “This is a true testament to the brotherhood and what it means to be a Padre.”
