The Ponytails (12-U) state champions are pictued above, On the front row from left are Jazmin Rummel, Harmony Horne, Marley Colville, Emily Scott and Carmen Ivey. On the middle row are Berkley Campbell, Anna Dudley, Ashley Blevin, Aubree Bass, Lilly McLamb and Lyndsey Knoll. On the back row are Dunn Parks and Recreation athletic director Billy Roach, assistants David Horne and Rich Rummel, head coach Jeremy Bass, Dunn Parks and Recreation director Brian McNeill and Dunn Mayor Oscar Harris. Not pictured is Emily Williams. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

The City of Dunn hosted a sendoff at Sherry’s Bakery in Dunn for the Dunn All Star softball teams for both the Dixie Youth Angels (10-Under) Ponytails (12-Under) divisions, which will be representing the state of North Carolina in the World Series.

Several people were on hand for the sendoff, including family and friends of the coaches and players, Dunn mayor Oscar Harris, Dunn Chief of Police Charles West and a few members of his department and Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats.

After everyone was given time to place orders and receive food and the girls received their new jerseys, indicating that they no longer represented just the city of Dunn, but the entire state of North Carolina, Dunn Parks and Rec director Brian McNeill welcomed everyone and began the short program.

“We are very proud,” McNeill said. “You play your hearts out and no matter where you go, you show great sportsmanship. Enjoy this moment. It’s time that you’re going to spend with family and friends. Take advantage of the full experience.”

McNeill then introduced Dunn mayor Oscar Harris to say a few words.

“The City of Dunn is proud to sponsor and support you,” Harris said. “We want you to use good sportsmanship and have a good time.”

After Harris finished speaking, McNeill introduced the coaches for each team, starting with Ponytails coach Jeremy Bass, who began by thanking everyone who sponsored and/or donated to help fund the trip and introducing the players and coaches before.

“We appreciate the City of Dunn supporting us and helping us out,” Bass said. “We’re going to play some good teams there and we are as prepared as we can be.”

McNeill then introduced the final speaker, Angels coach Cullen Clark, who also thanked the team’s sponsors and introduced the players and coaches.

“We’ve got a bunch of excited girls,” Clark said. “I’ve coached baseball (both at Dunn Parks and Rec and as an assistant at Midway High School) before and have been at this for several years. I’m as proud of this team and these girls as any team I’ve coached.”

Dunn is the defending World Series champion in the Angels (10-Under) division.

The Dixie state champion Angels (10-U) are pictured above. On the, front row from left are Eva Kate McLamb, Olivia Crumpler, Zoie Godwin, Mollie Bass, Addy Stanley, Aubrianna Collasso and Ella Clark. On the middle row are Kara Beth Benton, Peyton Herring, Samantha Carter, Reagan Adams and Jordyn Christopher. On the back row are Dunn Parks and Recreation athletic director Billy Roach, assistants Clay Stanley and Adam McLamb, head coach Cullen Clark, Dunn Parks and Recreation director Brian McNeill, Dunn Mayor Oscar Harris and Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)