Those who had the opportunity to watch Amanda Chalmers compete in three different sports in 2012 were delighted with her athletic prowess. Most notably known as being one of the main cogs in the well-oiled machine that is the Rockport High School softball team, the three-sport captain excels at much more.
On the softball diamond, fans on Cape Ann were spoiled with the 16-5 Vikings softball team, the best in school history. While the gaudy offensive numbers of sluggers Gabby Muniz and Mollie Watson often overshadowed her contributions, Chalmers could hold her own at the plate. As a staple in the top of the lineup, she batted .353 on the year while delivering the most important hit of the season.
Trailing 3-2 in the final inning of the Division 3 North Quarter Finals against Whittier Tech, Chalmers was at bat with two outs and two runners on. One strike away from elimination, she drilled a 2 RBI walk-off single to cap the Vikings comeback.
With Muniz and Watson behind her, Chalmers accepted her role as a table setter and often bunted or found other ways on base. With her RBI total standing at just 4 for the majority the year, she stepped up when her team needed her to against Whittier Tech. Her excellent defense at second base combined with her high batting average made her an easy selection for the Cape Ann League All-Star team.
Stepping onto the hard court, Chalmers led the girls basketball team with a 8.5 points per game scoring average. More importantly, her biggest contribution was her leadership.
Chalmers was the lone senior on a very young girls basketball team. With only sophomores and freshmen on the team, her teammates often looked to her for guidance. Even though they only managed five wins on the year, Chalmers helped established the girls as competitors instead of pushovers. She is a natural born leader and was rewarded with the Rockport girl's basketball Coaches Award for her efforts.
In soccer, she was the anchor of the Vikings defense unit. She received the Most Improved Player award and continued to work hard her senior year. While defense isn't a statistic glorifying position, people who watched her play saw her push herself on the field. She used her speed to track down opposing defenders, but her 'never quit' attitude stood out to teammates and opposition alike.
Chalmers enjoyed an excellent 2012 athletic season. She capped her career at Rockport High School with a CAL All-Star selection and a deep Division 3 North tournament run. In a way, the talented and hard-working senior couldn't have asked for a better send-off.
