Versatility counts
This is the first in a five-part series profiling the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame's Class of 2010. The five members will be honored at a dinner Sept. 10 at Mars Middle School.ADAMS TWP — Michele (Ross) Goodworth has excelled as a player and a coach.The 1992 Mars High graduate is now being rewarded for her efforts.Goodworth will be one of five people inducted into the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 10.She played basketball and softball in high school and has coached the Planets' varsity softball team for the past 12 years."It puts things into perspective," said Goodworth of being honored. "You realize all the effort you put into being a player and now a coach, it's being recognized."Goodworth led the softball program to its first WPIAL title in 2006."I wanted to help get the program to the next level, so it was really sweet to win the WPIAL," she said.The road to that district title began with the Planets dominating Section 5-AAA with a 10-0 record.They defeated Pine-Richland, Valley, West Allegheny and Ambridge to win the championship, allowing just four runs along the way and ending the season with an overall record of 19-4."Coaching girls is a unique experience," said Goodworth. "I looked up to all the coaches I had in my playing days and I hope I leave a good impression on all the kids I coach."Long before she was giving instruction, Goodworth was receiving it as a player.Growing up in Mars, she picked up softball at an early age."That was slow-pitch," she said. "The first season the high school had a fast-pitch team was my sophomore year (spring of 1990)."I pitched and it was a learning experience for all of us, but we made the playoffs all three years."Goodworth also starred on the basketball court. She began playing in middle school and went on to score 968 points and pull down 442 rebounds as a shooting guard for the high school's varsity team.She went on to Washington & Jefferson College to major in psychology, but sports remained a big part of her life."I played basketball into my junior year, but things just didn't work out," she said. "I started playing softball my sophomore year and was named to the All-PAC team my junior and senior years as an outfielder."After marrying Mars assistant football coach Dave Goodworth in 2003, the couple has had three children: Lillian (4), Luke (3) and Lyle (2).Considering who their parents are, the Goodworth kids just may take up sports. In fact, Lillian is preparing for her first season of soccer."Sports has taught me a lot about life," said Goodworth. "It showed me you have to work hard to be successful. If all of our kids play sports, I hope that's what they take from it."
