Mike Plant speaks the truth....

Taking a break from the Top 10 of 2010, I wanted to draw attention to an article by Daily Record sportswriter Mike Plant. It appeared in this past Sunday's sports section. It was your obligatory "end of the year" article, full of gifts and wishes for 2011 in both the local, and national sports scene.

In one sentence, Mike sums up what a proud sports landscape we've carved out in this sleepy town of 8,000, and how proud we should be of our young athletes, and the community (us) that supports them.

Here's the quote (full article is here)...read it and let it sink in.

(My last minute gift).....For Orrville High, nothing. What do you give an athletic program that has it all going on right now? Facilities, coaching, talent, attention from college recruiters, community support -- it's simply a great time to be a Red Rider.

Speaks volumes doesn't it? Shows how respected we are in the local community, and by truly unbiased writers whose job involves calling it as they see it.

We're churning out major college prospects in a wide array of sports that towns two and three times as big aren't doing. We have some of the nicest facilities for a town of our size in the entire state, and we're competing in a conference where we're the runt of the litter in terms of numbers...but it's not the size of the dog in the fight, right?

Sure we get to be the New York Yankees of the area and neighboring communities love to see us stumble, but that's part of the deal.  I'll take aiming high and sometimes missing, than striving for mediocrity.  Every day of the week.

Just one part of what makes Orrville a special town.  Good kids raised by good parents who teach their kids right from wrong and the value of working hard to achieve your goals.

I'm trying real hard to not overstate the role of high school athletics and how it's woven into our town's fabric, but it's one of the things that define us, like it or not...and it's a good thing....maybe the best of things...and no good thing ever dies.

Ok, that last line was a quote from the movie "The Shawshank Redemption," and NOW I'm officially overstating things....but you get my point...we have our flaws and short-comings as a town, but I think we've got plenty to be proud of, and the young men & women who make up the Red Riders all sports is a good a place as any to start.

Good stuff, Mr. Plant....Between the DR sports staff and the guys at WQKT, we've got a great contingent of high school sports coverage that any area in the state would be glad to have.