Two graduates of Los Angeles area Catholic high schools were again instrumental in leading the U.S. women's softball team to an Olympic gold medal. And, in again bringing excitement to their alma maters.
Pitcher Lisa Fernandez (St. Joseph High School, Lakewood, class of 1989) and catcher Stacey Nuveman (St. Lucy's Priory High School, Glendora, class of 1996) provided much of the firepower in the American team's 5-1 win over Australia in the Aug. 23 gold medal contest in Athens, Greece.
Fernandez pitched a four-hitter and scored a run, while Nuveman smashed a long homerun in the U.S. victory. For Fernandez, 33, it was the third time she has pitched the U.S. to the gold, having defeated China in the 1996 final and Japan in the 2000 championship game. For Nuveman --- like Fernandez, a former UCLA All-American --- it was her second gold medal.
Teachers and students at both schools were ecstatic.
"You can't believe the excitement it brings to our whole campus," said Dr. Terri Mendoza, principal of St. Joseph High School, noting that Fernandez has been eager to maintain her ties to the school that nurtured her talent and to share her success with younger students.
Four years ago after winning her second gold medal, Fernandez spoke to St. Joseph students at a school assembly. Mendoza hopes the alumna --- known for her hard work on the field and in the classroom --- repeats the favor.
"Nothing comes easily," Mendoza said Fernandez tells students. Indeed, while at St. Joseph, Fernandez honed her skills in persistence.
"As good as she was, she was always the last one off the field, off the court, and in the batting cages. She was always willing to put in more time than anyone else," said Mendoza. "She did the same thing with academics."
Mendoza said Fernandez continuously stresses that her trust in God is the foundation that motivates her belief that even gigantic dreams are possible "as long as you have the commitment, time, faith and support from your family and friends."
Nuveman has relayed much the same message to students at St. Lucy's in her return visits to the school, said Benedictine Sister Monica Collins, principal.
"Stacey tells the girls to 'go for your dreams,' and that there is no secret to success --- 'It's a matter of hard work,' she says," noted Sister Collins. "She is an excellent motivational speaker who has led Kairos retreats here, and has always said she's grateful to God for her talent."
A sidelight of the Olympic softball tournament was the U.S.-Italy matchup Aug. 14 which found another former St. Lucy's student, Natalie Anter (class of '98), playing third base for Italy. (Athletes whose family members were born in another country may represent that nation in the Olympics.) The Americans won, 7-0.
Born in Verdugo Hills, Nuveman set NCAA career records for homeruns and runs batted in at UCLA. That followed an outstanding career at St. Lucy's, where she was a three-time All-California Interscholastic Federation selection in baseball, and also lettered in basketball and volleyball.
A Presbyterian who married last New Year's Eve, the 26-year-old Nuveman is also remembered at St. Lucy's as a former Associated Student Body president and "a very nice girl" who, like Fernandez, supports her alma mater, said Sister Collins. "Stacey came to see us after the win in 2000," she said, "and we're looking forward to having her come back when she returns from Athens." |