ALL-CVA SOFTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR: John Henry Ryder, Orange County

By Liz Keller

Published: July 29, 2008

The name John Henry in folklore is synonymous with a man of steel, who worked for the C&O Railroad.

Well, there is another John Henry — John Henry Ryder — who resides in Orange County and is also a symbol of what one can accomplish through perseverance and hard work.

And the 2008 season is bound to be a lasting memory for the Orange County softball coach.

The veteran coach piloted his team to the Jefferson District regular season and tournament titles and into the Region II tournament — with a lineup nearly entirely populated by underclassmen.

The Hornets finished 19-5, falling to Loudoun County in the region quarterfinals, but the team made an impression on Ryder, the 2008 All-Central Virginia softball coach of the year.

“Their dedication [made this year special]. The kids dedicating their time — they made it easier for me,” Ryder said. “They are the best bunch I’ve had in a while.”

And Ryder, who has been coaching softball at Orange for 11 years, has seen his share of good teams. He was an assistant coach with current Radford University softball coach Mickey Dean when the Hornets won back-to-back state titles in 1998 and 1999.

Ryder, who earned Region II coach of the year honors, knew early on that this was a special group.

“I told them in the first part of the year, the district was theirs to win if they wanted to take it,” Ryder said. “After a loss, they never complained, they just went out and did what they needed to do to win the next game.”

The losses didn’t come often — Orange was 11-2 in the Jefferson District this year, dropping games to William Monroe and Monticello.

After splitting with the Monticello in the regular season, a one-game playoff was used to determine the regular-season champion.

Orange prevailed and went on to knock off William Monroe and Fluvanna County en route to the district tournament crown.

“They gave it everything they had every game,” Ryder said. “They had it in their heads they wanted to get to the region [tournament], and they did. We had some tough games, but we didn’t discuss losses, we just moved on to the next one.”

Orange only had two seniors in this year’s lineup — outfielders Alisa Washington and Alicia Humes. Ryder couldn’t be more pleased that the majority of this year’s team — including All Region II selection Micalah Sacre, a standout freshman pitcher — will return.

Ryder hopes the Hornets will build on this season’s success.

“I just have a good group of girls, and it carries over. Most of them play travel ball [during the summer], and they just work hard. They are the best bunch — I don’t have to tell them a whole lot,” Ryder said. “They are anxious and ready to get going for next year, and I’m excited because it gives us another shot to go further in the region and maybe do a little better.”

Ryder and the Hornets anxiously await Opening Day 2009.