By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
Jayme O'Bryant's goal is to someday play for a Division 1 college and the USA Olympic Softball team. She will get a little taste of that dream this March as she travels with 11 other girls from around the Midwest on a week long trip to the Mililani Trojan Softball Classic in Mililani, Haw.
The tournament will feature 12 teams, including the best 14 &under teams on the Hawaiian Islands.
Jayme was recently nominated and accepted to play on the McDonald's/Mitsubishi All Star 14 &under softball team. Playing for such a prestigious team isn't something you can just try out for. In order to be accepted, letters were sent to High School, Junior High and summer softball coaches seeking nominations for the team.
The players selected must be outstanding as students, as people and on the softball field. Jayme and her family don't know who nominated her just yet. They will receive a letter in the mail soon as to which coach sent the letter.
With the team being made up of players from all over the Midwest, it's hard to find a location for all of the girls to get together and practice.
Not only will Jayme be playing with some of the best softball players in the Midwest, she will also be coached by some of the best coaches in the United States. Nic Nelson is the general manager and coach of the Friendship Through Softball team. Nelson is one of the USA's most internationally experienced softball coaches, taking 30 teams overseas. He has coached against Cuban National Teams, the state team of Queensland, Australia and teams from Japan, Mexico, Italy, Canada and England. Vic Laredo is the Youth Director for the NSA. He has coached the highly competitive East Peoria Express team of East Peoria, Ill.
Jayme, who is a pitcher and third baseman, admits it takes a lot of time and practice to be able to achieve the things she has so far. When asked what she does in the off season, well, she doesn't have one. Not only does she play softball year round, playing for Michiana Mystique and at Fireman's Youth Park in the summer, as well as softball camps, she also plays basketball and volleyball for Buchanan Middle School.
Football is another sport on Jayme's busy schedule. She doesn't exactly play, but she does hold three state titles for the NFL's Punt, Pass and Kick competition held in Detroit's Ford Field.
She finished second in 2001 and fourth in 2003. Her five appearances at the state level are the second most.
Jayme is currently an eight grader at Buchanan Middle School. After high school, Jayme would like to attend Purdue University to study n0ursing and play softball.
Players are responsible for the costs associated with the trip to Hawaii. Any sponsorships would be greatly appreciated by Jayme.
If anyone would like to sponsor her in anyway, you can contact John or Juli O'Bryant at 269-695-2262.