There they go again.

As if the Redmond High girls softball players weren’t inspiring enough the last two years by notching several loser-out victories to qualify for state, on Tuesday they completed the trifecta by winning another one and reaching the promised land of the 4A state tourney again.

The Mustangs dug down deep to defeat their archrival Eastlake for the second time in the last few weeks, and then they had to face Battle Ground twice before moving onto state in Spokane today.

Yes, the Redmond crew had to drive 170 miles to Battle Ground and back both last Saturday and Tuesday to complete a game that was halted by a downpour on Saturday. Redmond valiantly held onto its 5-0 lead in the final two innings on Tuesday and won by that score. (See page 11 for story.)

It was a team effort the whole way, too, that’s what makes this special for them and for their families and friends watching the games. It gives us all an emotional boost and a crucial shot of confidence that anything can happen if we all put our heads and talent together.

We can all triumph, no matter what we’re faced with each day.

It’s not only the Redmond softball team that’s making our town proud at state this week. We’ve also got the 1A Bear Creek-Overlake baseball team — the Growls is their cool nickname combining their mascots, the Grizzlies and the Owls — the 2A Bear Creek-Forest Ridge combo softball team and a handful of local tennis players, track and field athletes and golfers, who completed their state experience on Thursday.

These are important times for our student-athletes. They’re not only playing to the best of their abilities in their competitions, but they’re learning life lessons along the way about what it takes to rise above the challenges and make the most of what’s put in front of them.

There will be wins and losses, but we can learn something from each situation and grow as people.

Good luck to all.