Fresno State Athletics
A Great Ride
4/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 7, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - She is in the Madera high school hall of fame and the retirement of her jersey is a project in the works. She is one of only four remaining Bulldogs from the 1998 National Championship team is one of only two seniors leading the young Fresno State squad through another year of championship outlook.
Angela Cervantez, a four-year first base starter, is looking down the tunnel of the final two months of her illustrious softball career with anticipation for great achievements and a sad heart for saying goodbye to an unmatchable chapter of her life.
"I'm missing it already," Cervantez said of her Bulldog career. "I think I will miss just playing the sport. It's been my life for 16 years and my life is now going to change."
The possibility of coaching after graduation is a reality that Cervantez is seriously considering, junior high or high school ages most likely, but the moments at Bulldog Diamond are going to be hard to top.
"Winning the National Championship was the most special moment of my career," Cervantez said. "I've never experienced anything like that. In high school we won the Valley [under former 1981-84 Bulldog outfielder and Madera high school head coach Judy (Tucker) Shaubach] but it was the best experience ever to win the National Championship." Hopefully the Bulldogs can do it again this year, she added.
Four years do not pass by without personal struggles, growth and maturity. Cervantez admits that through her career as a Bulldog she has had her share of "hard times" but the one constant that she will always hang onto was the support and guidance of her head coach Margie Wright.
"She's always been there for me and she's a very important person in my life," Cervantez said. "I will never forget her. She's someone that I will always come to. She's given me so many things and taught me that we can achieve anything as long was we put our minds and hearts to it."
Approximately two months remain in Cervantez' career wearing the Bulldog red and blue. Remembering the highs and recalling the lows, Cervantez would not change one day of her time here at Fresno State.
"My whole career has been a great experience. It's going to be very hard to watch this part of my career end. I want people to remember and know that I'm a fighter and gave it everything I have. I want to end this season playing the game of softball like I know how and have fun doing it," Cervantez said.
