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Prep Roundup
Columnists Brian Meadows Brad NormanMembersLocal Connection› Iredell County Young Athletes Association› South Iredell Athletics Association › SHS athletics › WIHS athletics › NIHS athletics › SIHS athletics › LNHS athletics Syndicate RSSAP NASCAR NASCAR Features A look at this year's schedule A look at this year's drivers Differences between stock car and open-wheel racing NASCAR Research & Development Petty Enterprises splitter testing Aerodynamic testing in Concord's wind tunnel Top 10 moments in Daytona history Site StatisticsThis page has been viewed 801686 timesPage rendered in 0.1905 seconds Total Stories: 2136 Total Comments: 34 Most Recent Entry: 08/15/2008 01:53 pm Most Recent Comment on: 04/17/2008 11:54 pm Most Recent Visitor on: 05/23/2012 04:33 pm |
• Public Schools • West Iredell High School
2008 Apr-21
Waugh serves as a leader and an inspiration for WarriorsBy BRIAN MEADOWS “I’m not sure what you can do with this short hair,” Waugh said to Scissor Happy employee Amber Chapman. “Honey,” Chapman replied, “we can do a lot with it. Don’t worry.” Among other things, having a mane to trim again is something the West Iredell softball standout doesn’t take for granted. “It’s so cool,” she said. “This time last year I had to shave my head because I was losing my hair. It was falling out.” Successful chemotherapy and radiation treatment has the senior’s cancer in remission. “I feel pretty good. It’s hard to believe it’s already a year out,” said Waugh, who has signed to play for Lenoir-Rhyne College. Doctors at Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem diagnosed Waugh with Hodgkin’s lymphoma March 30, 2007. A CAT scan revealed a large tumor in her chest. At the medical staff’s request, Waugh prepared for chemotherapy treatments, which she tackled aggressively in April, May and June. The Warriors hosted North Iredell the night of her diagnosis, but Waugh was advised not to take the field. Dressed in street clothes, she cheered on her teammates from the dugout as they won 5-4. After the game, coaches, players and fans from both schools converged on the dirt infield. Locking arms in a large circle, they prayed for Waugh. “That was the hardest part that night, not being able to play,” Waugh said. The center fielder will play tonight, when West Iredell (10-5 overall, 8-4 North Piedmont 3A) welcomes the Raiders again. “She has just made an excellent recovery,” said Warriors catcher Crystal Beam, a Lees-McRae signee. “I don’t think she even missed a beat.” Waugh missed a few practices and games down the stretch a year ago because chemotherapy sapped her energy, but she persevered to help the Warriors qualify for the playoffs. And it was a productive junior season, particularly given her obstacles. Waugh stole 40 bases and, hitting leadoff, batted .574 with an on-base percentage of .646. Defensively, she was also a sturdy second baseman. When Waugh made a mistake, she wasn’t looking for special treatment or to use her condition as an excuse. “I wanted to be yelled at so I would try harder,” she said. Waugh continued to play last summer for her travel ball team, which competed at nationals in College Station, Texas. She also went on a beach trip before beginning 14 radiation treatments in August. Waugh, who works out regularly at the YMCA, said her reflexes are starting to come back. Playing basketball this season helped build her stamina and boost her motor skills. But she doesn’t have to motor too much now that she is back on the diamond — at least not defensively. “You don’t get as many balls hit to the outfield, especially with Hannah (Pennell) pitching,” Waugh said, smiling. “She’s good.” And Waugh is good for the Warriors, even when it’s not her bat or glove doing the talking. “Kendayl is a great leader,” first-year coach Tiffany Haynes said. Her teammates admire her leadership qualities as much as her .493 career batting average. “She’ll tell you straight up if there’s a problem,” junior Kaylyn Chapman said. “She’s not afraid to address it.” As Waugh looks to aid another Warriors playoff push, she remains vigilant about achieving the ultimate victory: beating cancer. She goes for checkups every three months to make sure the cancer remains in remission. The process has been an eye-opening experience, she admits. In fact, it helped shape her career choice. Waugh wants to study nursing at L-R. Her time at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem allowed her to bond with patients who were fighting the same fight, so now she knows what field of nursing interests her most. “That kind of cemented my decision,” said Waugh, who intends to pursue pediatric oncology. “I’ll be able to relate.” Bookmarkz |
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