ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - West Orange Times & Observer: Alli Sartini

Standout freshman for West Orange's JV softball team helped lead the Warriors to the championship at the St. Cloud JV Tournament March 12.

By Steven Ryzewski
| 1:52 p.m. March 24, 2016

Sports

The West Orange JV softball team had no trouble winning the championship game of the St. Cloud Junior Varsity Tournament March 12, defeating the host team 9-0. Helping to lead the way was freshman Alli Sartini, who had a game-high five RBIs for the Warriors (17-1). On the season, the first-year Warrior is hitting .545 with 19 runs scored and 17 RBIs.

How big of a deal was it for the team to win the JV tournament at St. Cloud?

It’s a big deal to us, because for the past two years, we’ve won it, and we really wanted to come out and show what we have this year. We’re a team full of freshmen and a couple sophomores, so it was a big deal for us.

How are you enjoying your first year in the program at West Orange?

It’s been amazing, honestly. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, and they’ve really taught me a lot.

As a middle-schooler, were you excited to know that you would be joining a program with so much tradition?

Definitely. I was nervous coming in. I would come to watch people I knew on the team. … I can’t wait to be a part of our varsity team eventually — they’re so respected.

What do you like to do in your down time, away from the softball field?

I hang out with my family a lot, and I’m really involved in school — clubs and everything. I got involved in “12th Man” (West Orange’s student spirit club). … I was in National Junior Honor Society last year.

What’s been your favorite freshman memory so far?

That would have to be the Dr. Phillips football game — I definitely will remember that.

What are you thinking you’d like to do for a career one day?

I want to be in the medical field, probably an anesthesiologist. I really like science.

Do you have a least favorite chore you have to do around the house?

That’s easy: loading the dishwasher. The worst part is putting the dishes away, definitely.

Who is your favorite Disney character?

My favorite Disney character is the Little Mermaid, because I’ve always wanted to be a mermaid. When I was little I would always watch that movie, and I just loved it.