New coaching staff leads Mora softball team

Describe the makeup of your varsity team: The varsity team returns eight starters from last season, with some young talent that will push their way into playing time. We have seven awesome seniors who love the game of softball and are great role models for the underclassmen. They are Annabel McGriff, Haley Nordenstrom, Kenzie Mackedanz, Lindsey Nosbush, Morgan Nordaune, Shea Asmus and Sophia Steffen. Juniors are Isabel Schley, Lauren Kohlgraf, Nora Kerr and Quincy Asmus. Sophomores are Amber Fix, Aubrey Athey, Jennae Szucs, Meghan Sperling, Rhiannon Ashworth and Teagan Oslin.

What are your goals and/or priorities for the season? The program mission is prepare as a family, execute as a family and celebrate as a family. The program goals are to build on the success that former head coach Charlie Whitbred established. We have our sights set on being the best team within the Granite Ridge and find ourselves competing in the Section 7AA championship game. To sum it up, the team goal has been established to work hard, execute and celebrate every step of the way.  

Who do you see as being a challenging competitor? Within the Granite Ridge, St. Cloud Cathedral is ranked eighth in the state in preseason rankings. Pierz also received votes and is right outside the top 10. Proctor, last years AA State runner-up, is the top team in our section. They have six returning starters and start the season ranked second to start the year. Early in our schedule we’ll face a non-conference challenger, Mille Lacs, who is ranked seventh in single A. 

What would you like your young athletes to gain from being part of your team? The young athletes have been working side by side with the varsity and upperclassmen all season so far. We’re building a family-oriented program. The girls are working together to prepare, execute and celebrate as a family, growing in the knowledge of the sport and sharpening their mechanics and fundamentals. A major goal for this program is to teach them well so they enjoy the game of softball throughout their entire lives and be strong competitors.

Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your sports season? This is Nick Hoffman’s first season as varsity head coach. Dale Strelow is the only returning coach from last year’s staff and is the JV coach. Nathan Robertson is the C-Squad coach, Shanna McGrath is the eighth grade coach, Megan Popp is the seventh grade coach and Bethany Sjodin is the varsity assistant.