Wildcats sharpen claws in anticipation of state championship run
As the weather becomes more enjoyable and temperature heats up, so does the excitement of championship season for spring sports. Many programs look to end their season on a high note while some get ready for postseason accolades and the greatest achievement, bringing back a state championship. One of the premier teams at West, the Wildcat softball squad, are preparing for a state championship run under the leadership of seniors Braelee Jodarski and Chloe Tritt. The girls have enjoyed another winning season, dominating the FVA conference during the regular season, only taking second just behind three time state champions, Kaukauna.
Over the past couple of years, softball has been just short of the state championship, but that doesn’t discourage the players who have worked hard to try for another shot. Junior Emmy Reichenberger is excited to showcase the potential of the team, knowing the difficult opponents the team has faced and how that has helped the team prepare for the postseason.
“We’ve played quite a few non-conference games this year against some of the best teams in the state,” she said. “I think that has only helped us get ready for the end of the season and helped the younger players by playing better competition along the way, letting the talent of our young team pay off.”
Jodarski has been dealing with a torn ACL and meniscus injury that has affected her performance in sports her last season.
“The injury has taken a lot from reaching my goals. I had all of these expectations for myself and for my team, and not being able to reach those goals has been really difficult,” she said.
Even though Jodarski has been limited her senior season, that has not stopped her from helping the inexperienced underclassmen.
“At practice, the seniors give helpful tips or pointers on what we have learned along the way to the underclassmen, as well as encouraging people to continue to work and perform at a high level,” she said. “Usually age would be something that divides others, but I think it has brought us together during lock-ins and made our bond even stronger.”
This mentality of mentoring younger teammates allows the softball program to continue to thrive despite the loss of players due to injuries or teammates graduating. The program has shown--although softball can have individuals who enhance the performance of their team--high school sports are still reliant on senior leadership to teach the younger players. Under the guidance of seniors and head coach Timothy Kohl, the program has been one of the most successful at West.
With the end of the school year approaching, the seniors want to make the most out of their time at West. Reichenberger is well aware of the importance of this season.
“It would mean the world to us, especially our seniors, after being so successful and then just this year losing people,” she said. “I think a lot of people and other teams didn’t expect us to do as well as we have been. It would be amazing to prove ourselves to everyone who underestimated us.”
The Lady Wildcats have only raised expectations throughout the years and into the present. Despite past shortcomings of losing valuable experience and leadership from graduating seniors, the future looks bright for a young team eager to make a statement to competitors. Reichenberger knows that a strong mindset is just as valuable and important as skills.
“We’re going into the postseason with the mindset that we have nothing to lose and Kaukauna has everything to lose,” she said. “As a team we’ve been getting in their heads because we were the only team they lost and recently we barely lost to them; so, we’re going into it and giving it our all, laying it all on the field, we can get into their heads and come out with a win.”
by Connor Lacoss
Published May 20 2024
Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue VIII