World class
MERIDIAN — Holly Colosimo has never been on an airplane before.
That's about to change.
Colosimo, who will be a senior at Moniteau High School in the fall, is one of 15 high school softball players from all over North America who will compete in the Dutch Tournament in Amsterdam and Paris this week.
Colosimo has no idea how the North American Prospects softball team found her. She's just glad they did.
“I cannot figure it out,” Colosimo said. “I'm so excited. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Colosimo found out she had been selected for the team in November and had to raise $4,000 to fund the trip.
She raised that money with the determination and tenacity she often uses in the pitching circle.
“I made a letter with my picture on it and sent it out to local businesses and family members,” Colosimo said. “I sold candy. I did everything I could to raise the money.”
Colosimo wasn't going to miss this chance — a trait that has served her well for Moniteau.
Colosimo has been the starting pitcher for the Warriors for two seasons, logging a 26-6 record and leading the Warriors to the District 9 Class AA championship and a state playoff win last season.
Moniteau coach Dan Beebe and former coach of the Warriors, Dan Hindman, are both at a loss to explain how Colosimo landed on this team. Beebe, though, said she certainly deserves her spot.
“A key to Holly's success has been her desire and dedication to the program year round,” said Beebe. “In the past two years, I could count on one hand how many practices she has missed. Non mandatory, mandatory, open gyms, summer league, pitching practice — she's there.”
And this week she'll be on a plane for a 12-hour flight and in the Netherlands and France for nine days.
The first four days will be spent practicing with her new team, which is made up of players from the United States and Canada.
She will meet them for the first time at the airport.
Colosimo isn't sure what she will find when she steps into the circle for the first time against teams from all over Europe.
“I know there are going to be some pretty good teams,” Colosimo said. “I just love softball so much. I can't believe I got this kind of opportunity.”
The trip isn't all about softball. There is lots of time built into the schedule for sightseeing.
Colosimo has done some research online about Amsterdam and Paris.
“I don't know what I want to see first,” she said. “Everything. This is a trip I probably would have never made without this.”
