Sports
Whiz Kid: Athletic Career Move Pays Off For Bashir
Waterford Senior Leaves Softball Behind To Become Track Throwing Champ
Elizabeth Bashir was determined not to become a Waterford softball North-South Civil War casualty.
Whether perception or fact, there is a feeling that softball players from Waterford South's highly successful Little League are given preferential treatment in high school than Waterford North players, which includes Bashir as an alumnae a few years back.
While many can argue the South simply has better players, judging by their all-star tournament excellence, Bashir avoided what she called " politics" and go in a different athletic direction.
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"I didn't really want to do softball because our town is really divided, but I wanted to stay active," Bashir said. "My mother said why don't you do track? I never liked running, but with my strength, I gave field throwing events a try."
Soon after softball's loss, a champion discus thrower and shot putter was gained. Bashir used her strength and throwing ability to win a pair of Class MM discus titles as a freshman and sophomore in '08 and '09. She's become as prolific in the shot put, winning her second straight ECC Large Divsion title Saturday with a toss of 38-feet, six feet longer than the second-place finisher.
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It's been a win-win situation for WHS softball, which has won two straight state titles, and Bashir.
"I really started my track throwing career on a whim," Bashir said. "It's been a matter of being motivated and having perservance. I've showed some skill early on and got extra coaching not only at school, but with private coaches. I'm glad I did.'"
Bashir stayed active during summer softball, playing multiple positions for the Waterford JuniorLeague All-Star Team that made the Eastern Regionals in Syracuse in '09. There's no room on the mound with the Lancers with All-State Kerri Connors and Erin Miller hurling. Even though she could have stuck as an outfielder, being All-State in track is more appealing.
"Softball was fun, but weight throwing putting has gotten me noticed by colleges," Bashir said.
The 5-foot-6 Bashir proved to be a natural at discus, recording Class MM first-place throws of 98 -3 as a freshman and 103 feet as a sophomore. Her shot put prowess has shown a steady progression, making dramatic improvement in her junior year. She threw around 33 feet indoors last year and rose to 39-feet-1/2 inch to place eighth in New England.
Her 38-foot ECC title heave ranks her second among state shot putters this winter. She credits her improvement to Sunday training with a private coach in Cheshire.
"Three or four of the state's best girls meet for two hours or so," Bashir said. "We really push each other. Unfortunately, with the bad weather this winter, I can't drive there, but I'm looking to extend to 39 feet and beyond very soon and definitely outdoors."
An honor roll student, Bashir will attend Southern Connecticut State University next fall and continue her track and field career.
"I've been approached by Division I programs, but Southern has everything I need close to home," Bashir said. "I plan to study physical education and hope to become an athletic director."
If her decision to attend Southern approaches the success of her choice to swap track for softball, a number of college coaches will be calling Bashir "boss" very soon.