Emotions get the best of Jefferson signees

Posted Nov 10, 2011 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Nov 10, 2011 at 03:06 PM

Kalyn Cenal mad it clear Thursday afternoon, there’s more pressure speaking in front of a crowd than facing an 0-2 count with two outs on the softball field.

“For sure,” she said laughing.

Cenal was one of three Jefferson athletes to sign national letters-of-intent inside the school’s media center. Cenal, who will play softball at the University of Central Florida, was joined by baseball players Jimmy Herget and Corbin Olmstead. Herget, a pitcher/first baseman, signed a letter-of-intent to play at USF, while Olmstead, a pitcher and third baseman, will play at the University of North Florida.

Herget and Cenal couldn’t hold back their emotions while thanking friends, family and coaches. Olmstead, powered through.

“I actually had a speech written and everything to say who I wanted to thank,” Cenal said. “I guess it really just got to me.”

Cenal, an infielder for the Dragons, scored 29 runs, had 27 RBIs, four doubles, two triples and hit a team-high .585.

For Herget, who picked USF over Florida, Florida State, UCF and High Point University in North Carolina, he’s happy with what will become his new environment.

“Besides that it’s in my backyard, my parents can see me, I love the coaching staff and what they can do for me,” Herget said. “And (USF pitching) Coach (Chuck) Hernandez, who’s going to help me progress to get better in life, and hopefully become a Major League pitcher.”

Last season, Herget went 6-0 on the mound with a 1.69 ERA and 65 strikeouts. He also hit .383, scoring 15 runs, knocking in 12 RBIs, six doubles and three homers, which was a tie for the team lead.

Olmstead finds himself in a lucky position. After spending the past three seasons under longtime Jefferson coach Pop Cuesta, he’ll move on to another well of knowledge in UNF coach Smoke Laval, who has coached at the college level for 30 years.

“A big factor in this game is experience and what every coach has to offer,” said Olmstead, who hit .366 with 33 RBIs, seven doubles a triple and three homers. In 46.2 innings, Olmstead went 6-1, striking out 45 batters. “And I know Coach Smoke has been in the game for a while and you can’t beat that level of knowledge that he has about the game and the experience he’s had.

“Coach Cuesta has been here for a while coaching and he has a lot of things and I really do feel prepared to go to college and play.”