CHERRY TWP — Last season when the Moniteau softball team heard about Keystone softball player Marina Bowser’s fight with cancer, the Warriors sprung to action.

They made a sign that read, “Stay strong and fight on Marina” and posted it on social media to show their support for her.

This year, the Warriors have done the same for University of Pittsburgh running back James Conner.

And taken it a step further.

“Most people who talk about our team talk about how much we win,” said Moniteau junior Sara Hull. “We’re not a cocky team. We want to help people and show support for people as much as possible.”

Moniteau softball coach Dan Beebe told his team Conner’s story.

About how he came to Pitt as a defensive player, but moved to running back to fill a void and ended up being a first-team All-American back.

About how in the first half of the first game of his junior season, he tore his MCL and received a medical redshirt.

About how shortly after that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

About how after his sixth chemotherapy treatment he showed up at in the weight room to lift.

It inspired the players to do something — anything — to show their support.

And Moniteau’s #ConnerStrong campaign was born.

“He’s someone we can look up to,” said junior Cortney Claypoole. “His story just shows us there’s more to life than sports.”

Beebe has been touched first-hand by cancer. His mother died of lung cancer in September of 2014.

“Many of the girls now on the team saw how that affected me,” Beebe said. “It meant a lot to her to see people reaching out to her, supporting her.”

So the softball team decided to do that for Bowser and now Conner.

Beebe tweeted a picture of the team holding up a #ConnerStrong sign and wishing Conner the best.

Conner tweeted back: “amazing!! Thank you so much good luck to all of you!”

The team also ordered ConnerStong bracelets, which will be on sale for $3. All proceeds will go to the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

The team is also signing a 5x7 picture of them posing with the sign and sending it to Conner.

Beebe said it is the perfect lesson on life for his young players.

“They let the little things bother them. Even adults let the little things beat them up,” Beebe said. “I want them to be able to put things in perspective, that life’s not that bad.”