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Durant golfer stays busy

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By JARRETT GUTHRIE

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 16, 2009

PLANT CITY - Like many student athletes, Durant High's Erika Wardzinski tries to maintain a balance between her class work and a full team schedule with the Cougars golf team.

However, unlike most student athletes, her work doesn't end with the golf team and her studies. Wardzinksi is also a member of the Durant volleyball team, making her a two-sport athlete during the fall.

Sometimes there are days when things run together, days when there are mix-ups. A gym bag with golf stuff grabbed, when she means to take her volleyball gear. However, Wardzinski finds a way to strike a balance to stay active and participate in activities she truly loves.

There are a lot of words Durant golf coach Dick Sheffield will use to describe Wardzinski. Goofy, carefree, "a little out there." Then without taking a breath comes: talented, gifted and focused.

Maybe the one word missing is tireless. Last season, Wardzinski led the Cougars volleyball team with 503 assists and shot back-to-back 73s in the district and regional golf tournaments as Durant finished fourth in the 2A state finals.

"She doesn't have your typical drive the ball down the middle and walk," Sheffield said. "Erika sometimes goes to Lala-land, but when it comes time to hit the ball again she's right back there and focused - she's a gamer."

But Sheffield is quick to point out it's Wardzinski's style that allows her to find success with her busy extracurricular schedule.

"She doesn't abandon her personality and I think that's important," Sheffield said. "She stays true to herself and she's fun and a little goofy at times, but I think that is what allows her to keep the pressure off."

Wardzinksi said her personality is consistent from the course to the court and though the two sports are very different, her approach stays pretty consistent.

"Golf is the game that is all about me and focus," Wardzinski said. "In volleyball, it's a team and we have to work together.

"I'm always laughing, but I know that when it comes to a shot or a volleyball match those are times that require a lot of focus."

Sheffield said focus is never a problem for his junior golfer and she makes the transition between sports seamlessly.

"There is a mental transition that Erika does well," Sheffield said. "Volleyball is a team sport where every time there is a shot they are all high-fiving each other and then it's over. In golf if you hit a bad shot you're not going to have teammates patting you on the back telling you it's going to be OK."

"It's just you there all by yourself and you have to have that intestinal fortitude."

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