Burlingame, Sparks, Wilson honored

Hard work and dedication is essential for a summer sport.

The Washington softball program has received that from three seniors, who were honored Wednesday with their parents before playing west Burlington and then afterword with a fireworks display.

Carly Burlingame, who played second base and had a pressure-packed hit in the seventh inning of the 5-1 loss to West Burlington, Molly Sparks, who pitched, and first baseman Haylee Wilson, who reached base twice in three plate appearances, were the three Demon seniors.

'All three of our seniors have meant a lot to this program,” Washington head coach Ben Obermann said. 'They have meant a lot to me. My first year here was their freshman year, so we have a lot of history together. It has been great to see them grow and excel the way they have.”

Burlingame participated in basketball, golf and softball during her athletic career as a Demon. She was also an active member of peer helpers and dance marathon at the high school. She has possessed the ultimate team-first mentality during her softball career and has embraced any and every role, whether it has been playing second base, being a courtesy runner, spending some time in the outfield, or helping the coaches with statistics during games.

'Carly has been a great role player for us,” Obermann said. 'She doesn't get the most playing time, but she is great at supporting her teammates and helping out wherever she can. I'm so happy to see her get a hit tonight and make plays defensively for us.”

Burlingame's upbeat attitude and personality on the field, and in the dugout has been second to none and is something that the team will miss greatly next season. She always helps keep the team loose and having fun.

Burlingame's favorite softball memory is playing with the other seniors over the course of these years.

Burlingame will be attending Kirkwood Community College to study nursing. Carly is the daughter of Jon and Tammy Burlingame.

Sparks has participated in cross country, basketball, track and softball during her athletic career. She was also a member of BPA, NHS and FCA.

Sparks has been the ace of the pitching staff ever since her freshman season. She has 40 career victories and a career earned run average under three.

In addition to her consistent drive to be the best in the circle, Sparks enters the game second on the team in batting average. During her career, Molly has been the ultimate competitor and has shown a great mentality to battle through adversity to give her all and helped the team be the best it can be.

'Molly is such a competitor,” Obermann said. 'She has battled back from major back surgery to be able to play her senior year. She wanted to play for her teammates more than herself and she is the reason we're having a good season.”

Along with her accolades, her work ethic and leadership on and off the field, Sparks will be tough to replace. Her favorite softball memory is hitting a grand slam against Benton during her junior season.

Sparks will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall with an interest in nursing. Molly is the daughter of Dale and Stephanie Sparks.

Wilson has participated in volleyball, cross country, basketball and softball during her athletic career. She was a member of BPA.

Wilson has been a staple in the Demon lineup ever since her eighth-grade year, which includes anchoring down the first base position ever since her freshman season.

Wednesday's game was Wilson's 133rd consecutive start at first base. She leads the team in fielding percentage and her teammates will miss her being on the receiving end of their throws.

'I don't think you're going to find a better first baseman in the area than her,” Obermann said. 'She has had a great career for us. She has really come on offensively this year.”

Along with her production, her drive to be the best she can be and her personality, she will be tough to replace next year.

Wilson's favorite softball memory is hitting a walk-off home run earlier this season against Fort Madison.

Wilson will be attending the University of Iowa, where she plans to study radiology. Haylee is the daughter of Tim and Rhonda Wilson.

'All three of them came out for the team all five years that they could,” Obermann said. 'That really says a lot about them in a summer sport, says a lot about their character and their will and effort. They are strong athletes and it's a commitment to play in the summer. I really appreciate everything they have given us.”