Don for life: SF junior Jade Romero fulfilling her dream, honored as 2024 Utah Valley Softball Player of the Year
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- Spanish Fork junior shortstop Jade Romero catches a pop fly during the non-region game at Lehi on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork junior Jade Romero (13) celebrate with her teammates after winning the second game of the 5A state championship series against Springville at Gail Miller Field in Provo on Friday, May 24, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork players congratulate junior Jade Romero after she hit a home run during the non-region game at Lehi on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork sophomore shortstop Jade Romero tags out a baserunner during Game 2 of the 5A state championship series against Bountiful at Gail Miller Field in Provo on Friday, May 26, 2023.
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- Spanish Fork junior Jade Romero catches a pop fly during the 5A playoff game against Box Elder at Valley Softball Complex in Taylorsville on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork junior Jade Romero attempts to turn a double play during the 5A state championship series against Springville at Gail Miller Field in Provo on Friday, May 24, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork sophomore Jade Romero swings at a pitch during the 5A softball tournament game against Bonneville at the Cottonwood Complex in Murray on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
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- Spanish Fork shortstop Jade Romero throws the ball to first during Game 2 of the 5A title series against Lehi at Gail Miller Field at BYU on Friday, May 27, 2022.
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- Spanish Fork junior Jade Romero just barely beats the throw to first during the 5A state championship series against Springville at Gail Miller Field in Provo on Friday, May 24, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork’s Jade Romero attempts to slide into third during the 5A softball tournament game against Bonneville at the Cottonwood Complex in Murray on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
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- Spanish Fork sophomore shortstop Jade Romero catches a pop fly during Game 2 of the 5A state championship series against Bountiful at Gail Miller Field in Provo on Friday, May 26, 2023.
Spanish Fork has a rich tradition in baseball and softball, so it’s not surprising that — having grown up in the area — Don junior Jade Romero has a lot of memories with those sports.
She grew up watching as many Spanish Fork softball games as she could, including seeing the Dons compete for state championships.
“I remember we were all sitting in the stands at a title game and everyone was getting their cameras out,” Romero said in a phone interview on Tuesday. “I was like, what’s going on? Then all of a sudden it was that last out and everyone went crazy. Everyone stormed the field, so I stormed the field. Eventually I got the trophy handed to me by one of the Don players. I didn’t even know what to do. I was like, wow, this is crazy. I just thought to myself that one day that could be me holding the same exact trophy as a player.”
Those dreams became a reality for Romero three times, including the Spanish Fork’s 2024 state title.
“I think it’s a very cool experience that I’ve had to hold the trophy when I was very young and now that I get to hold it myself because I’ve accomplished my goals,” Romero said. “I’ve lifted that trophy not just once but three times and I think that’s very cool that I’ve got to do that.”
Don head coach Natalie Jarvis said Romero has been much more than just an observer during her time on the team. The junior has been a driving force for the team’s success, both on and off the field.
“Jade is the complete package,” Jarvis said. “Her work ethic is unparalleled. She puts in the effort and it doesn’t matter who is watching her. She is a natural talent but she is the type of player every coach wishes they have throughout their lineup. She is a natural leader. Her actions and her attitude set a high standard, and her peers naturally look to her. She is a great role model.”
For her invaluable combination of on-field ability, leadership and team dedication, the Daily Herald selected Romero as the 2024 Utah Valley Softball Player of the Year.
“It feels very special to be honored,” Romero said when he was told of the award. “I’m actually very shocked right now.”
Romero’s softball foundation was actually constructed in conjunction with baseball, which she played until she was 6 or 7-years-old.
“Even when I started playing softball, I’d come back and play city-league baseball,” Romero said. “I’ve played almost my whole life. I think that baseball made me not scared of the ball when I played the infield, because those boys would hit it a lot harder. It just showed me that I had to be tougher and work hard than everyone else because I was the only girl. I think it made me physically and mentally stronger.”
She said that even in high school, her dad Mike Romero still hits baseballs to her to practice instead of softballs.
But even though she started out playing baseball, she loved being around the Don softball program.
“I watched every almost every softball game when I was little,” Romero said. “I would always be sitting up by the dugout, so whenever the coaches went out I always talked to them.
“I had a cool experience when I was younger that I got invited into the dugout at one point during a game. I was probably about 10 years old when I got invited and that really opened my eyes to how amazing it is and how well Spanish Fork does. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life when I was little.”
While Romero was thrilled to be around the Dons and anticipating eventually getting to that point in her life, Jarvis was just as excited to have the talented young athlete get to be part of the high school team.
“I watched her grow up,” Jarvis said. “I remember when she would come to our camps, and when she was in sixth grade I remember thinking that she could start for us. I kept waiting for her to grow up and looking forward to coaching her.”
She made the team and had a big impact from the start because of her combination of talent and work ethic.
“It looks like it comes easy for Jade but she pushes hard every day,” Jarvis said. “She wants to do the drills over and over, and she’ll dive for every ball.”
She also has demonstrated her toughness every year, with Jarvis saying she played the entire 2023 state tournament with a broken thumb.
“No one really knew that from the way she played,” Jarvis said. “She got it taped and wore one of the mitts players wear on the base paths, but she didn’t want to miss any of the games.”
She also made a key play in the 2024 state title series against rival Springville that may have been the biggest play of the season.
“She ran all the way to the fence to make a catch on a foul ball, and then after that everyone just went all out,” Jarvis said. “After that catch, Emeri Pintar made a big catch and Tatum Hall made a diving stop and Alyce Archuleta dove to get an out at first base. She gave everything to get to the foul ball, her teammates saw it and it just snowballed from there.”
Romero said it’s “one of the best feelings” to see her team rally like that.
“It’s very cool to have a team that has a comeback mentality,” Romero said. “We backed each other up a lot, but everyone’s attitude can change with just one hit or one play. It’s something I really love about playing for Spanish Fork because one person would make a good play and everyone would want to do the same. It was awesome.”
Romero looks forward to seeing that continue when she returns for her senior year and looks to match the 2024 seniors who won state championships each of their four years.
“I’m very excited,” Romero said. “I think that the girls who are coming back next year are going to do well. I think that we can do it again.”
No matter what, though, she said she is going to savor the team camaraderie, which is her favorite part of softball.
“Every year I make 18 new best friends,” Romero said. “I think it has brought so many new friends into my life. I love playing but I think that being with the 18 girls on my team every day is what is my favorite part about softball.”
