NT Softball Class of 2020 members display banner dedicated to classmate and NT Lacrosse member, the late Michael Marra, during their Senior Night ceremony June 12.
*** As seen in Twin Cities Sun, June 19, 2020 edition ***
Turn that frown upside down.
This was what NT Softball coach Rachel Kielaszek hoped for on Senior Night, after her team saw its season canceled due to Covid-19.
In front of family and friends, the Lady Jacks’ five seniors – Laykin Brennan, Emily Ford, Faith Frye, Paige Walsh and Victoria Wachowicz – were recognized last week at TK Murphy Field. The ceremony featured team photos, cupcakes and speeches from Kielaszek and the players.
After finishing 6-13 overall and securing a playoff win for the second straight year before a sectional quarterfinal loss to eventual state champion Williamsville East, Kielaszek firmly believed that more success was on the horizon, especially after the team’s strong January workouts.
“They would’ve been unstoppable, to be honest,” said Kielaszek. “I’m not trying to toot my own horn but we could’ve definitely done some big things this year and gone farther than we did last year.”
During the quarantine, the Lady Jacks stayed connected through Zoom meetings and relayed messages to each other.
“I think it was nice to have that moment of keeping in touch and having that sense of normalcy,” said Kielaszek.
All the seniors will move on to college.
Ford will enroll as a pre-dental major at Medaille College. Walsh will continue at Niagara University majoring in environmental sciences and minoring in economics. Frye will enroll in the Niagara County Community College baking and pastry program.
Brennan and Wachowicz will also extend their playing careers. Brennan will major in law enforcement and play with the NCCC Thunderwolves while Wachowicz will major in nursing and play at St. John Fisher’s College.
The day was bittersweet for Kielaszek, who called the seniors “her babies.”
“They’re the ones that I started coaching with and it’s sad to see them go,” said Kielaszek, who would have coached her second season on varsity and third with the program. “But I know that all five of them are going to do amazing things in the future and be a huge part of the world one day.”
The Lady Jacks are projected to have six returnees in 2021 – all eager to return to the diamond very soon.
“I think they’re going to be more ready to go sooner than we even did this year,” said Kielaszek. “And I think next year is school starting and then softball. I think they’re definitely going to be jumping into that as soon as they can.”
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