Rivals join forces in a show of solidarity following difficult diagnosis

Friday’s varsity softball game between West Iredell and visiting North Iredell began with a moment of silence and ended with a lot of hugs and tears.

It was a meaningful contest among rivals, but jockeying for position in the North Piedmont Conference took a back seat to the human spirit.

Earlier in the day, Kendayl Waugh, West Iredell’s star leadoff hitter and outstanding fielder, learned that she had been diagnosed with lymphoma.

Advised to sit out, Waugh was a spectator for the Warriors’ emotional 5-4 victory over the Raiders, whom they now share second place with in the conference.

“She wanted to play,” said Waugh’s father Terry, who predicted his daughter would fight her cancer with the same determination and effort she displays on the diamond.

Sporting street clothes, Waugh didn’t take her spot at second base or step into the batter’s box, but it would be hard to argue she wasn’t in the game. Putouts, strikeouts, key at-bats, it didn’t matter, Waugh was cheering on her teammates from the dugout.

Now, there is a wealth of people rooting for her to beat a disease.

Following the game, both teams remained on the field. Joining them was the large crowd — fans from each school — that gathered for the first of two regular-season meetings between the clubs. Linking arms, they formed a giant circle.

Then North Iredell assistant coach Charlie Payne led them all in a heart-felt prayer.

Afterward, Payne said he wasn’t sure he was going to make it through the first couple of minutes of the invocation without getting choked up. Payne’s daughter, Leslie, a catcher for North Iredell, has played softball with Waugh for years, so they’re bonded together.

Payne didn’t surrender to emotions during his prayer. He believes Waugh will show even greater strength in her battle.

“She’s not going to give in to something like that,” Payne said.