by Rusty Ellis
Fitting in on any kind of team that’s seen the bulk of its players play together for years can be difficult for any athlete, star or not.
It’s hard to build that same kind of chemistry in one summer when teammates have spent years learning each other’s tendencies and finding ways to mesh.
At least, you’d think it would be difficult. As evidenced by Taryn Childers’ first year in Livingston, she and her teammates seem like they have it down to a science. After all, 51 goals and 12 assists to this point suggests that whatever Childers and the Lady Wildcats are doing is working.
“Coming into a team that’s played for awhile can be hard, but these girls were so welcoming,” Childers said. “You don’t have to be a family, but these girls are always sticking together and hanging out…they just have something in their heart that tells them they welcome anyone.”
Of course, the first question that likely comes to mind is how did Childers and their family find their way from California to Livingston, Tennessee. It’s not a knock against the town of Livingston whatsoever, it’s just that at first glance, it seems like someone almost threw a dart at a map and it just happened to hit Hog-Eye country.
The real story is actually rather simple: Childers’ family had some friends that moved to Tennessee and when they looked for places to move themselves, they instantly fell in love with Livingston.
“We were looking at Montana, but nothing worked there,” Childers said. “We looked at where our friends moved and it was Cookeville, but we didn’t really want to go there…we looked at the surrounding areas and we found Livingston, and honestly it was love at first sight.”
Despite it probably seeming like it would be two different worlds, Childers says that there are smaller differences between LA and where she came from, but the overall vibe isn’t all that different.
“I honestly don’t think there’s that much of a difference,” Childers said. “I think that, obviously, the people are different, but regarding the atmosphere and the feel around (LA), I don’t see much of a difference.”
One of the girls that quickly became friends with Childers was senior Lilly Copeland, who says she heard about her new teammate through travel ball. Once she saw her in action for the first time, she knew that Childers was going to be a vital member of the team.
“We had heard about this California girl who joining and people had said she was ‘okay,’ but at the first practice, I immediately thought that she wasn’t hyped up enough,” Copeland said. “After I got hurt, she and everyone else stepped up on the field, but they still included me, and she’s just one of the kindest people ever.”
It isn’t the first time Livingston has embraced a new teammate like this, as current sophomore Mallori Lindsay joined as a freshman and said similar things to what Childers has said. Copeland echoes the sentiment that Childers shared, saying that the team as a whole just enjoys playing with each other, regardless of how long they’ve lived on the plateau.
“We’ve always been really kind people, but I also might be a little biased,” Copeland said. “Mallori came in last year and she said the same thing, and I think it’s just cool to have people from other places…it’s nice to have them all here because they help the team and they’re nice people.”
And Childers maintains what she’s said about Copeland since the injury: the senior has stepped up as a leader and provided the team with an extra set of eyes on the sidelines that can sometimes see things that coaches might miss.
“She’s just one of those players you always want to be around, and it’s a big loss losing her on the field,” Childers said. “It’s still a big deal to have her on the sidelines, because she’s always encouraging us…just having her there is still a big deal.”
One of the biggest what-ifs will always be what this team might’ve looked like with both Copeland and Childers on the field together, as the team gets ready for its return to the Class AA State Tournament.
Copeland was one of the few Lady Wildcats that saw playing time the last time LA was in the tournament, and she scored the game-
winning goal to defeat Dyersburg in a 2-1 LA victory.
All she’s telling the girls in the meantime as they prepare for their first taste of state tournament action is to simply enjoy it and take it all in.
“The best thing I can compare it to is travel and state league, but it’s just a different atmosphere,” Copeland said. “There’s only eight teams that go to this, so we just need to soak it all in…I just hope the girls understand that it’s really an honor to be here and they’ll remember it forever.”
The Lady Wildcats battle Page in the opening round of the Class AA State Tournament at 11 a.m. EST on Wednesday. Full coverage including video highlights, photos and postgame interviews can be found on uppercumberlandreporter.com following the match.