by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
York College is an NAIA school in York, Nebraska. It is a part of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC). The Panthers softball team will be welcoming a new team member next school year.
Demetria Iron, 17, is from the Crow Nation (Apsaalooke). Her mother is Leann Gabaldon and they live in Lubbock, Texas.
“I am a senior at Coronado High School, Texas and I play softball,” said Demetria.
“My tribal core values are very important and define me as the student-athlete I am today,” said Demetria. “Being raised by my mother she has taught me that respect is earned and not given. That keeping my head in the books I will be able to achieve anything. By giving my all in sports will help me pursue my dreams and be able to help my grandma and my parents just as they did me.”
“First and foremost I give the upmost respect to my mother and step-dad for always standing behind me,” said Demetria. “They were always being there for late night practices games and all the traveling through Texas. They never gave up on me and showed me that I always was better than I thought.”
“My two coaches spent every hot Texas summer to help me be where I am today,” said Demetria. “They showed me to never to give up and always give it my all. I was always the smallest girl on the team but they never let that hold me back. They called me ‘big Dee’ and showed me how to have a positive attitude. We worked through all the hot Texas summers. These two helped so much not just with me but everyone who attends the summer program. Coronado has secured 23 district titles in the past 24yrs!”
“Coach Henry Joe spent countless hours helping me with my hitting and always gave me the chance,” said Demetria. “It didn’t matter if the score was 1-1 and two outs in a really intense game.
“Coach Jason knew I was better than what my size showed,” said Demetria. “He taught me that I can throw a girl out from center field to home and not have ‘a shoot the bird’ moment which means a throw high in the sky. Without them I wouldn’t have the confidence that I have now.”
“I have known Demetria, aka Big D, since she was in middle school,” said Coach Jason. “My daughter played sports with her in middle school is how we met. I coached her in softball during the off-season of high school at Lubbock Coronado. She put in 100 percent into all she did on and off the field. I watched her patiently wait for her opportunity to play at the varsity level. As I watched her develop her talents she grew physically stronger and her skill set improved as well. She also developed a great IQ for the game of softball. She was constantly talking up her team whether she was on the field or in the dugout. She may not have been the loudest voice but was a positive voice for her teammates.”
“The character in this young lady is impeccable. I always felt that she could play at the collegiate level. I needed her to believe it as much as we all did. During the summers she was playing and practicing as much as possible to develop her talents. She was trying to be a contributor to her team during the high school season. Not being able to complete their senior year has really crushed her spirits. Knowing that she will be continuing her career has lighted those spirits. I have been blessed to be part her life and her of mine,” added Coach Jason.
“Outside of practice my parents will spend countless hours and evenings on hitting and fielding with me so I can maximize my performance,” said Demetria. “I didn’t care if we ate late just as long as we got my reps in spending my summers early morning for strength and conditioning.”
“I have a lot to learn on what a college athletes life will be,” said Demetria. “But I know I will never give up and always go hard.”
“We are really looking forward to having Demetria join our team next season,” said Roni Miller, head softball coach at York College (NE). “Not only does she excel on the field but she excels in the classroom. She will contribute immediately to our outfield. Her attitude and love for team are something that I can’t wait to add to our program!”
“I always remember my mom saying when we get up early in the mornings that’s when we receive the most blessings,” said Demetria. “I wake up, work hard and never give up. I will be the first granddaughter to purse a degree in engineering and graduate making my family and coaches proud. I always pray before games with my teammates.”
“Stay positive, take a deep breath and do my job for the team and encourage everyone to not get down,” said Demetria.
“Staying well in this pandemic world is hard,” said Demetria. “We get bored and don’t want to do anything but I think of how much my academics and college career are on hold and not doing anything could hurt me. I stay active and finish my online schoolwork and set up my hitting net taking 200 plus balls off the tee. I do my workout that Coronado HS Coach Pickens has us working on. My stepdad or mom will spend an hour every evening with me throwing the ball. It’s hard because it’s the same routine and we can’t go anywhere but I think I’m lucky I can do these things.”
Photo Credit: Leann Gabaldon
