As many spring sports are coming to an end, Oakdale’s varsity softball team being one of them, the team has played their final games to wrap up the 2024 season. The team is filled with hard working girls, who have put in incredible effort to succeed this season. They ended the season with a record of 7-12, with their banquet at Dutch’s Daughter’s restaurant on May 20th.

The team worked hard all season, by consistently attending practices to help them play well at games. “Practices look different depending on who we play and what we need to focus on, typically we focus on hitting one day and fielding another day. But, depending on the amount of time we have for practice we integrate both into our practice days,” Coach Danelle Locke explains. The team focuses on skills they might need to improve, so their skills are stronger during games.

Practices are a huge part of being an athlete, as they help you prepare for games and enhance your skills. “I’ve prepared myself physically and mentally before games. During practice we focus on our opponent and pay attention to how they do specific things,” shares sophomore Micaela Parnell. If the players focus on skills that need improving during practices, they are able to show their improved talents during games when they’re needed.

Another big aspect of being a student athlete is balancing the ‘student’ part with the ‘athlete’ part. Student athletes have to maintain the ability to keep up with their school work, as well as participating in practices and games outside of school. 

“With our schedule and having practice a little bit after school, I have time to go home and get my work done as well as study if I need to. Then, after practice if I still have things to do I will finish them later in the day,” claims Parnell. 

The players have to find the balance between school and sports to continue their career on the team, as they would not be allowed to play if their grades dropped below passing.

Overall, the season was pretty successful for the girls. The team did a great job of incorporating team bonding experiences for them, as the season progressed. With the season wrapping up, the girls have to maintain their athletics to make the team next year during the 2025 spring sports season!