April 10, 2010
Friday’s NCAA Tournament recap | Tourney Central
Column: Saying goodbye a day too early
Belden’s Previous NCAA Diaries: Thursday | Wednesday
Editor’s Note: Ashley Belden is a senior member of the bowling team from Tijeras, N.M. who will graduate this May. She was a member of the 2007 NCAA Championship team.
I apologize for the lateness of this diary entry. I didn’t know how I was going to sit down and write about an incredibly disappointing experience without sounding bitter. If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t really want to write this because we are still supposed to be bowling today and to put the thought on paper solidifies the fact that our season is over–and not resulting in the way we planned. However, with little reflection time on the event (the wounds are too fresh to ponder as my heart aches every time I do) and several shed tears and more hugs than I can count I’ve come to realize that life has a plan and everything happens for a reason.
Why we didn’t win this year I do not know. Maybe it was because we were too tense that last match. Maybe it was because luck wasn’t on our side. Maybe it was simply because at that moment we were out-bowled. Whatever the reason I know this loss doesn’t define my team or any of our individual players. It is the bonds that hold us together, and what we mean to each other (which I hope after reading these last few entries you can see is A LOT) that define us. It is also how we accept defeat. You can attempt to pick apart the pieces and see where you went wrong mechanically, but it won’t change what happened. All you can do is look towards the future.
These girls have such bright futures and it saddens me that I no longer get to be a part of it. Watch out, because they are dynamite and I am so proud and honored to have been their teammate. Thank you to all the families, staff, and fans that came to New Brunswick this week. Thank you to everyone who watched online and had us in your hearts. I know I speak for everyone when I say we really do appreciate all of your support. With heavy hearts, we will leave New Jersey without the desired hardware, but as a single unit–a team, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
-Ash
