TARA SHEPARD HESTER RHS 2006
TARA WAS A THREE SPORT ATHLETE IN SOFTBALL, TRACK, AND BASKETBALL. SHE EXCELLED AS A PITCHER IN SOFTBALL AS IS EVIDENCED BY THE FOLLOWING:
- ALL-STATE: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- ALL-REGION: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- ALL-CONFERENCE: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- 394 STIKEOUTS
- 61-15 RECORD
Tara Hester holds the distinction of being the only inductee of the RHSSHOF that has made All-State, All-Region, and All-Conference four (4) years. She played on three District championship teams and one District runner-up team. She played in four Regional tournaments and her team won the Regional championship in 2005. In addition, Tara played in two State tournaments.
Hester was coached by Shane Robinson, 2003-2004 and Matt Rabjohn, 2005-2006. In the Clay County Times-Democrat [5-25-06], Matt Rabjohn is quoted as saying: "It's impossible to explain how important she was to our team…she's a special player. She has that combination of talent and the desire to win. She wants to win every game and she's going to give 100 percent in an effort to do so. She was a great kid to coach. I don't know if there'll ever be another player along the same lines as Tara to come through our high school program."
Shane Robinson is quoted as saying: “She was good at softball. She was somewhat ahead of her time because it was just starting (fast pitch) and she could throw it correctly and with a little velocity. She also could locate it really well. Yes, she won every award (All-State, All-Region, All-Conference) she could in softball while I was there (2003-2004). She made me look like a really good softball coach.”
In 2003 & 2004 Tara ran track on a team that was District champions both years. In 2003 she was a part of the mile relay team.
At the athletic banquet awards ceremonies Tara received the following recognition:
- 2006 Rector High School Female Athlete of the Year
- 2006 Softball team MVP
- 2005-2006 Basketball Offensive Player of the Year
- 2005 Softball team MVP
- 2004 Softball team MVP