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Kim Patterson Mesa
Legend |
Falonia
Edenburgs engages some tackling dummies during Caliente tryouts. |
The sun beat down on over a hundred shoulders and grunts of defeat
and triumph filled the air, as women of all ages gathered on April
17 to vie for positions on the all-women’s professional football
team, the Arizona Caliente.
The tryouts were held from noon to 3:30 p.m. Women from across the
state appeared poised and ready for the demanding drills. The league
is now in its four season.
A rivalry between two teams that once was strong came to a simmer
when Caliente’s fellow women’s team, the Arizona Nighthawks,
folded. With tryouts for their opposing team open, many former Nighthawk
players strolled in. “I just want to play,” said linebacker
and former Nighthawk Tonya Hollingsworth.
”The Nighthawks had a lot of good talent, and the Caliente
had good management. Putting the two together, we should be very
successful,” said Hollingsworth.
Some felt the match-up would be in the best interest of both teams.
“I just wanted to bring a championship to Arizona and the
best way is to join forces and put up a strong front,” said
defensive back and former Nighthawk Sophia Russell. This year holds
special meaning for each player, “We are always the team to
be this close, we need to get over this hurdle. I think this year
will be our year,” said Angela Reyes, a fourth-year Caliente
player. Amy Lewis, a third-season veteran, echoed the sentiment.
“I’m looking forward to this season. We have the potential
to go all the way,” she said.
With six to eight coaches leading the team, practices are intense.
Head Coach Gerry Turley was nominated as coach of year in 2002 by
the league. Holding fast to a strong work ethic, each player is
broken down into a class, so as not to pit different body types
against one another. Fairness is the primary goal.
Currently, the majority of players are returnees from previous seasons.
“I would say over the past four years a good portion of returnees
are from the line and offense,” said Jackie Jarabek, a third-year
wide receiver.
The camaraderie among the girls can be seen as even the new players
attempting to break into the tight-knit “family” are
welcomed.
“My first tryout was a little intimidating, but it’s
a nice group of people that are easy to get along with, all are
very passionate about football,” said Jarabek.
The initial shock of woman’s football wears as time passes.
Competitiveness was offset as the women joked with one another throughout
the drills.
Players sign on to play about 10 games, and games are played throughout
the nation as far as Hawaii and Washington. Fund-raisers make up
the majority of funds used for travel expenses and other items.
Equipment is bought and cared for by the players. Players are allowed
to bring family and friends along to games, but they are responsible
for lodging and accommodations. Melissa Batiste, a new resident
to Arizona, heard about the tryouts from a friend and brought her
brother for support. “I’m excited to try out. I hope
I make it,” she said. Melissa traveled from Oklahoma
and said she was ready for rough game play.
The women were broken up into different drills. The T-drill showed
the ability to maneuver around an opponent as well as the field.
There was also a timed run, followed with an aggressive drill involving
tackling punching bags. The results of the members who will make
the final roster will be made public May 3. Information about the
team’s schedule is available at the team website, http://www.arizonacaliente.com. |
