Photo by Jake Olson: From left to right, Row 1: Mariel Parish, Lili Wiens, Samantha Urban, Laticianna Rosales Wegner, Charlotte Hummel Row 2: Charisma Hoiseth, Shelby Kitzerow, Gaby Flohrs, Callie Parish, Kyana Thomas, Row 3: Essence Leach, Chloe Hoppe, Carleigh Hoiseth, Adeline Diekmann, Brooklyn Grunewald Row 4: Kimi Hansen, Peyton Stohs, Braxtyn Roberts Brynn Wiens, Ryleigh Grunig Missing- Addison Smith, Maeson Olson, Chloe Nestegard Elizabeth Bennett, Ashlynn Dirks, Loriah Young.

NORTHROP – It’s the first season back at the varsity level for head coach Terry Ehlert and his Granada Huntley East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther softball team. After spending last season with a junior-varsity schedule, the Jaguars are back in the top level, looking to continue the momentum they built a year prior.

The reason for a junior-varsity schedule was because of the lack of a senior class. With a younger team, the Jaguars finished the spring with an above .500 record, something Ehlert says can lay a positive foundation for his program.

“We ended up actually pretty good, I believe our record was 8-7 [on the year],” Ehlert said. “We built some confidence from that.”

“If they [kids] get confidence, they are just going to feel better, and it makes it more fun. When they’re having fun, they usually play at their best and not worry about making mistakes.”

GHEC/T/ML softball has grown as a team by 10 athletes from last season. Ehlert’s Jaguars now have 26 roster spots filled, with a handful of returning talent and experience from last year’s team hoping to guide future endeavors.

Chloe Hoppe and Peyton Stohs are two pitchers fans can expect to see in the circle this season. Ehlert says Stohs, now an eighth grader, throws a lot of strikes and will be able to attack opposing hitters.

“It makes a huge difference [having some returning arms],” Ehlert said. “And our defense got a lot better last year, I thought, from the season before.”

Samantha Urban, Laticianna Rosales Wegner, Mariel Parish, Maeson Olson, Chloe Nestegard, and Lili Wiens round out the other Jaguars who saw playing time last season, and should have even better campaigns with a year under their belts.

The team is on the younger side overall with just six upperclassmen, four juniors and two seniors. The goal for Ehlert and his coaching staff is to remain competitive while developing the daily skills in practice and game settings.

“Just be competitive,” Ehlert said on this season’s team goals. “We aren’t too worried about wins and losses because they will come when you play well. …It’s just about getting better each day, and we can see the growth of it already.”