March 23, 2004
As I begin to type this week's journal, I struggle to find words that will fully do justice to what transpired this past weekend. Kind of funny how it all works out, right? I mean just last week I was talking about sweets and now we find ourselves in the SWEET 16. I told you all that our team is obsessed with anything sweet!
I was wide-awake late last night; eyes wide open staring at the dark ceiling. Everything in my body ached and I was emotionally and physically exhausted. But I couldn't erase the ear to ear grin. I think that about 3:45 a.m. it finally set in - it is not over yet!
As we walked into The Pit with nine minutes left in the second half of the Florida-New Mexico game on Saturday, my heart pounded and my arms and legs were covered in goose bumps. I have never seen or heard anything like that in my life. There were two rows reserved for us right in front of the avid Lobo fans. The only thing protecting us was a rod and a small blue curtain, but it did nothing for shielding our ears. I couldn't help but smile. This is what women's basketball should be and this is where it is going. Sixteen thousand-plus screaming, standing, praying, and pulling for their girls to add an upset to the growing list. I have been to some rowdy arenas before, but the mile high and 37 feet underground Pit was one of a kind. Kudos to the Lobo fans, you all are a beautiful picture of passionate and loyal fanatics.
Speaking of diehard fans, I have to say our solid group of gold was nothing less than that, pure gold. You all were unbelievable and again we thank you for showing your true colors, which involved spending time, money, and your vocal cords to demonstrate how much you care. Thank you for being apart of our sweet moment...
There is really not much else to say about the games than what has already been written by a number of reporters and what has been said on ESPN. But I do know that they don't really get what it feels like. They can't really grasp the adrenaline, the emotion, and the intensity in a recap story. Don't get me wrong, as a journalism major I even fall into the trap of writing about just the "big plays," but March Madness is more than that.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines madness as the quality or state of being mad, as in rage or insanity. I am not so sure that the adjective of madness truly captures March. Nobody is really angry about anything this time of year. Maybe if your team gets knocked out of the tourney, I don't know. To me, March is about preparation, focus, no fear, never say die, tears of joy, tears of distress, toughness, exhaustion, and exaltation. It's about taking a charge, diving on the floor, making the clutch shot, the bench going nuts, fans traveling miles and miles, and giving your best Tiger Woods fist pump impression. For one moment time can stop and it is then you realize you just did something special. You are alive another day. Your career lasts a bit longer and you can put on that jersey one more time. With all of that, the tears just came Monday night. I couldn't help it.
And the best part is, it's not over quite yet with Tennessee being our next opponent. Their history and legacy precede them - 23 consecutive Sweet 16's and a number one seed to boot. But one thing I know about this Lady Bear team is that there is no fear. There is respect, but no fear...
And in the words of my teammates, "It's time for me to getupouttahere" cause we are heading to the SWEET 16. See you in Norman and bring on the Lady Vols!
-Jessika
