Emerging from last season, the Yutan-Mead Patriots are adjusting to fewer changes and are instead using their time to perfect the smaller details: strengthen team bonds and improve basic skills in order to qualify for state.
In order to strengthen bonds, the Patriots decided to get together outside of practices before the season started and have continued activities as the season has unfolded.
“During summer, we would just do small things. We would go out to coffee. We would take a group of girls and have pool days or whatever,” junior Jordyn Campbell said. “We’ve also done Bible studies recently, and me and Kylie Woster kind of brought it up to the team because we pray before every game. And so we thought that we’d want to incorporate our religion into the game that we play. And so I feel like it’s honestly brought us really close together and closer to what we believe in. And so it’s just a super special team to be a part of.”
These Bible studies in particular have had a big impact on the players. To senior Rylee Kirchmann, this helped her and her teammates create a stronger connection to each other and their faith.
“I feel like it’s definitely brought us closer together and closer to God, and He’s a big part of our team because we always pray before games,” Kirchmann said.
Eating out at restaurants, going to the zoo and having themed practices are just a few other ways the Patriots have bonded.
“We also have fun-themed Fridays, [which] is something special that we do,” junior Delaney Shield said. “We basically have fun, dress up. We did Hawaiian last year and we did USA. So just go all out for the theme and we take pictures and stuff. It’s super fun.”
The team is not only focusing on strengthening bonds of friendship, however, but also strengthening skills needed on the field.
“We work on all of the basics daily. Throwing and catching has been a main focus for us. Going back to the basics. We hit every single day. This, I feel, has made a huge impact on our season this year,” head coach Brooke Campbell said. “Many of these girls now have two seasons of our hitting in process/under their belts, and their approach at the plate has showed that.”
For the Patriots, having a successful season means seeing their hard work in making connections and in developing their skills pay off at districts.
“We work super hard in practice and we’ve talked about [state softball], and if we keep working hard, we do have the potential to make it to state,” Shield said. “And I think that one of our main goals is to be in a district final and going to state and then competing at state because that would be so cool to play in Hastings again.”
While the team won’t know the ending of their season for a couple weeks, for now they are focused on being good teammates and building up their skills.
“I’m really enjoying this group of girls and their hard work. They all have a part of the team and a job to do,” Coach Campbell said. “Many times that job changes a bit, but they’re all showing me that they’re ready to take every task head on!”
