BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @Gosset41
25 years ago this spring, the Weatherford softball team won the school’s first and only state championship among the six major sports (football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, baseball). The Kangaroos beat Texarkana Texas High 6-0 in the state semifinals and Brenham 8-3 in the title game.
Their 14 runs were the most among the state teams that season.
It capped off a historic run for the program following a state runner-up finish one year prior. Jeff Lemons, who has been the head coach at Weatherford since the summer of 2019, was an assistant under Dwayne Ross during those state tournament runs.
“The 2000 team was focused from Day 1 on getting back to the state tournament and finishing the job after losing in 1999,” Lemons said. “The seniors had been on teams that were regional finalists in ’97 and ’98, and runner up in ’99 and they didn’t want to end their careers without a ring. Almost all of them had been on the ’99 team and I remember them not even wanting to put on the silver medals after the game because they were so disappointed.”
Lemons also graduated from Weatherford and was a part of the 1982 baseball team that lost to El Campo in the Class 4A championship game. He recalls pitcher Carrie Walker making a statement at the beginning of the 2000 season – saying they wouldn’t lose a game.
She was right.
The Roos went 34-0.
Lemons also remembers coach Ross dealing with medical issues during the season and even had to stay on the bus at times at playoff games.
“The staff and girls were so intent on getting back to Austin that we never missed a beat. Coach Ross did a fantastic job of delegating responsibilities among the staff and none of us wanted to let him down,” he said. “We basically cruised through the playoffs and into the championship game, but we were definitely tested there.”
Weatherford led Breham 3-0, but the latter rallied and tied it in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After the first two outs in the Roos’ top half of the sixth, they reeled off six consecutive hits and scored five runs for an 8-3 lead.
“Coming from Weatherford, it felt really good to finally get the ring,” Lemons said.
Other assistants on the team included Adam Rupert and Diana Ulrickson.
Lemons says he still keeps in touch with most of the players and coaches.
“Whether in person or on Facebook,” he said. “Several still live in the area. Carrie Walker gives pitching lessons to some of my freshmen, Chaley Hudson is an elementary teacher at the same school as my wife and I live beside Summer Beesely’s parents so I’ll see her occasionally. Sara Williamson was the head softball coach at Brock for a while and won a state championship there.
“It’s been an amazing experience watching them grow up to become outstanding members of the community.”
