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Lindsay Swipas Champion pitcher
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Softball
It’s more than just school spirit that lines Mahoning Avenue through Champion — it’s community pride.
Back-to-back state titles in softball with five in program history is enough to bring out the purple-and-gold banners, streamers and congratulatory signs from gas stations to the elementary school.
The small town in Trumbull County loves its Golden Flashes and the players love it all back.
“Everybody has been so supportive and happy for us over the past few years,” senior Lindsay Swipas said. “Everything has been a great accomplishment and we couldn’t have done it without their support.”
Swipas, the four-year starting pitcher, was instrumental in those titles. Already setting school records in career wins and strikeouts, she struck out 19 batters in the two-game state tournament at Akron’s Firestone Stadium. As one last salute to her high school career, she came two outs away from a no-hitter in the championship.
“All of senior season will stick with me,” she said. “Fans were excited for us to repeat and we had a target on our back. We didn’t expect it, but we worked so hard to make it happen.”
It wouldn’t have happened without support from parents Brent and Kim.
“My dad has helped me since I was younger, so many nights catching and improving me to get where I am today,” she said. “My mom has been there through everything spending the time and money to watch me succeed.”
With her softball career over, she’s off to Ohio State where she will major in accounting.