The Genoa softball team seized an opportunity to go to spring training in Florida to begin this season.

Coach Tom Kontak said he and one of his assistant coaches started to toss around the idea a year or so ago about the possibility of a trip.

“It was the first time we had a whole week off for spring break,” Kontak said. “The timing was right.”

From March 28-April 3, Genoa ended up going 2-1 versus what Kontak said were “big Division I schools.” He said that he would compare the schools to a size of Whitmer, for example.

The Comets defeated Beavercreek, 7-0, Bearden (Tennessee), 7-1, and lost to Warren Township (Illinois), 7-0.

Beavercreek was from the Dayton area, according to Kontak.

“Going 2-1 against brand new competition, it gave our kids the feeling that they could play with anybody,” he said.

The games were all a part of the Cocoa Beach Expo Spring Training in Cocoa Beach. The matchups counted as regular season games.

In order to make the trip happen, Kontak said he had a lot of support from parents and the community.

“Something like this only works if the parents get involved and you get support from the board,” he said. “The timing and effort was great.”

The Comets organized a golf tournament, a bus trip to the casino, and a car wash, among other fundraisers to raise the money for the trip.

Kontak said that the remaining balance of money needed aside from those things was taken care of when each family came together and split the cost.

He said the team flew out on Sunday, practiced on Monday, played a doubleheader Tuesday, had one game Wednesday, and practiced on Thursday. On Friday, they had a day at the beach.

“There was a lot of team bonding,” Kontak said. “We had about 55 parents and players, and we had the biggest crowds each game.”

The team even had a 7 a.m. workout Thursday morning as the waves were coming in and the sun was coming up.

“It was a quality, relaxing time together,” Kontak said.

School rules allow only one trip every four years, and the state athletic association allows one trip to a non-contingent state each season. Kontak believes it’s something that the team will do again in the future.

“The time and energy, it was well worth it,” he said.

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