The final ball drops as the West softball team celebrates their win against the Kaukauna Ghosts, the previously undefeated team of four years. However, this never would have happened without the seniors who led the way to a conference victory.

Junior Sam Frank believes that the seniors are the pieces that allow the team to unite together as one.

“The seniors are very important to our team. They're very good leaders, and they make sure that everyone’s connected and they communicate very well with the team,” she said. “If there’s any fights or altercations in the team, they make sure to clear it up right away and make us the best team that we could possibly be.”

Being a leader can bring immense nerves and pressure. But, for senior Colleen Fitzpatrick, it is a passion.

“I think being a senior is really cool because you’ve been able to see the growth, especially in the juniors and the kids on JV,” she said. “Just seeing them grow and just seeing them have fun has been one of my favorite parts about being a senior and then just the experiences of playing in the FV conference.”

Senior Kylie Hielsberg believes it is their duty to be leading the team, especially underclassmen, as a senior.

“Being a senior on this team means to help the underclassmen be the best they can possibly be and lead the team for a good example,” she said.

Leadership doesn’t come naturally, instead it comes with experience. Senior Marnie Grey reflects on her journey from becoming a leader.

“Freshman year I was on JV so there really wasn’t much of an expectation I guess and then sophomore year I was on varsity,” she said, “As a sophomore I looked up to the seniors. I wanted to follow in their footsteps but now that I am the senior, I try to be a leader on the team.”

Head coach Tim Kohl appreciates the seniors’ experience and through that experience, the standards that hold up the team, making it easier for the team to be prepared for the unexpected.

“It’s nice because a group of them have a lot of experience. Colleen has been here for four years and Kylie has also played for more than two years. They know and can anticipate what’s coming,” he said. “They won’t be surprised when something new comes or things change because our schedule and our activities change all the time and things come up.”

Softball is a team sport that requires the players to be orderly and efficient. Sophomore Peyton Dorn credits the seniors for helping the team stay focused and organized.

“They help organize all the team dinners which helps our bonding in our success,” she said, “They help us stay organized because they’re always telling us what to do.”

Kohl also praises the seniors for being organized, crediting them for leading the team to an open gym or multiple player-led practices.

“One of the things I think about this class is that they look forward to leading since January. When we started, they were already planning open gyms and I think that just carried over to the season,” he said, “Their ability to keep the group together and come up with ideas for their social gathering and their team building that has made them good true leaders.”

Leaders are not afraid to do the dirty work for their team. Frank saw that seniors often dove deep into their roles.

“The seniors really showed us that if you want the people to follow you, you have to be there and follow by showing you and not telling me, which I think is a great way of doing it.” she said.

Senior Elizabeth Neubauer agrees with Frank about the type of leadership that she wants to embody.

“I definitely grew up into a type of leader that does the dirty work. I focused more on treating my teammates with respect and making sure they are locked in everyday,” she said.

Adaptability is also one of the traits that a great leader embodies. Kohl extols the ability to adapt within the seniors, helping the team to move smoothly throughout the season.

“All things change throughout the season. They are quick to come up with ideas and how we can adjust and make things go smoothly,” he said, “If plans change, they help us make decisions on what we should do. I can easily go to them to get suggestions on how to change a practice or what to do on a game day that might work best.”

While winning is certainly important, Fitzpatrick wishes that the team makes fun, valuable memories each game.

“I think the biggest thing is that you’re not going to remember the stats, you’re not going to remember how many games you went, how many games you lost, it’s the memories in friendships that you make around you,” she said, “So I think just the people around you and just enjoy your time with that.”

Grey also wants the players to enjoy the game for concerns about personal states, but rather for making memories with teammates.

“I’d like to say just enjoy it,” she said. “It goes really fast and makes the most memories you can and don’t worry about your stats.”

by Mark Jung

Published May 26, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue VIII

Wildcat seniors lead way as softball squad grows together