By Jed Buelow
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor, Sports and Nature Editor
Had the season played out as planned, the Tomahawk Hatchet girls’ softball team would likely be coming off a big conference win at Antigo Thursday as they battled Mosinee for a shot at the top spot in the Great Northern Conference.
Not since the team finished runner-up at the WIAA Division 3 State Championship back in 2018 has the Hatchet softball lineup been so stacked. A combined eight seniors to go along with some youth on the mound would have made Tomahawk a very good bet to make a deep run in this year’s playoffs that very well could have finished up down in Madison.
This week the Tomahawk Leader is featuring the eight Hatchet softball seniors who saw their 2020 season cancelled due to the coronovirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite not being able to finish off their final season together, the future for these Hatchets looks very bright.
Senior Natalie Zastrow will be attending UW-Eau Claire where she plans to major in nursing, Morgan Ernst will study elementary education at UW-Milwaukee and Kylee Theiler will attend the University of Wyoming on a swimming scholarship where she will study economics/pre-law. Alexis Buck will attend UW-Milwaukee majoring in biology and Gillian Buckwalter will study genetics and genomics at UW-Madison.
Both Sierra Swenson and Haley Voermans-Dean will attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where Swenson will study psychology and Spanish and Voermans-Dean will major in environmental science. And Maddie Hanse will continue playing volleyball at the next level as she majors in physical therapy at UW-Stevens Point.
“The Hatchet Coaching Staff would like to salute the seniors in the Tomahawk Softball Program. This group had a common goal for this season, to get back to Goodman Diamond for the State Tournament and bring back a State Championship,” said Hatchet head coach John Larson “The entire program sensed that it was going to be another special year for the Tomahawk Softball program. These young ladies define the established culture of our team. They have set an example of what it means to be a student-athlete on the field, in the classroom and out in the community. These young ladies LOVE the game of softball and everything it stands for. What we have asked them to do each year, they have done with purpose and for the good of the TEAM! We appreciate the time and effort these young ladies have given to the softball program over the last four years. The coaches would like to wish them success in their future endeavors. Thank you seniors and best of luck!”
We will never know how big of a year it could have been for the Hatchets on the softball diamond. But in the bigger picture of life, these eight senior standouts will go on to make their hometown proud in their future endevours. Go Hatchets!
Hatchet senior questions:
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Gillian Buckwalter
Parents Names: Pam & Steve Buckwalter
Sibling Names and Pets: Noah, Chloe, Sam, Avery(dog), Piper(dog)
1) I started playing softball from the first day I could when I was 4 years old. I played T Ball on the team Thunder, B Ball on the Taz Devils and Comets, and A Ball on the Lakers. The year or two after the Lakers before High School ball, I played on the Tomahawk Babe Ruth team. I started playing summer travel ball at the 12U level, and played until 18U for the Tomahawk Hatchet teams.
2) I put my hair in a braided ponytail and wear one of my Nike headbands.
3) My favorite softball memory is definitely going to State my sophomore year. Although I didn’t play much, it was still an amazing experience being on Goodman Diamond and seeing the sea of Tomahawk Softball supporters screaming in the crowd. It was also pretty cool to see my face and name on the Jumbotron, and I’ll never forget all the tears of joy when we won the Semi Finals and received the State Runner Up trophy.
4) I would have appreciated my Junior season a lot more, because I didn’t think it would be my last high school season. I would have treated every softball season as if it was my last.
5) I have to say Sophie or Megan, they were constantly making everyone laugh.
6) Courtney Theiler is someone who stands out to me as very hardworking. In practice, whenever she made a mistake on a play, she would always ask to take another. All of her hard work really showed when she had an amazing season her senior year when we went to state, and I believe a huge reason we ended up there was because of her hardwork and dedication to the team. I would also like to shoutout Maddie Marino, because she is always doing everything she can to better herself, and puts in countless hours outside of practice. I can’t wait to see how her highschool softball career progresses, because she’ll do great things.
7) Hitting for sure. Especially when we get in the cage, or when we get to play 5 vs. 5.
8) Baserunning. For obvious reasons… (running.)
9) My favorite coach memory was when we were at State in a rain delay, four teams including us took shelter in the Badger’s Practice Facility. We ended up dancing together, which then turned into a dance battle and Coach Volz won it for us when he did the worm in front of everybody. My stomach hurt that day from laughing so hard about it.
10) I’m a fan of Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers.
11) If you’re frustrated about being on the bench a lot, or being overshadowed, don’t give up; I promise your time will come. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and go all out, because you’ll regret not trying as hard as you could have. Finally, don’t take it for granted because you never know when you may be playing your last game.
12) I plan to attend UW- Madison and major in Genetics & Genomics. I am unsure about what career I want to pursue at the moment, but most likely something in the medical field.
13) I would first like to thank all of my coaches throughout the years for sharing their passion and knowledge about softball. I would especially like to thank Matt Theiler, because when I stepped onto my first 12U travel team as the youngest one there, I was scared out of my mind; but he always believed in me and my ability and supported me like no other, even into the Highschool years. He was the one who gave me chances to prove myself, and I know I would not be the player or person I am today without him. I would also like to thank my fellow teammates for making the softball experience so memorable and fun. Finally, I would like to thank my family for the countless hours and dollars they’ve spent allowing me to play softball. Especially to my dad, for being almost as invested in my softball career as I was, and always encouraging (sometimes bothering) me to go hit or play catch with him. He is my number one fan when I’m on the field, as well as in all aspects of life. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to who I am today without him, and I am endlessly grateful for my whole family’s love and support through the years.
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Lexi Buck
Parents Names: Corey Buck and Samantha Balcsik
Sibling Names and Pets: Siblings: Cameron, Millie, Elly, Penelope, Everly, & Breelyn. Pets: Cujo, Layla, Simba
1)I started around 3rd grade in B-Ball. I played for the Hornets and then the Hornets again in A-ball.
2) Before the game, I always picture myself making plays out in the field or hitting. Then I envision the whole team working together to pull off the win.
3) Walking to Briq’s to get ice cream before the game because we got there really early, the team bondings, and the Brewer games.
4) Done more outside of practice to make myself better.
5) Serena Hanke
6) Katy Volz, Jennifer Duplayee, Tiffany Duplayee
7) The scrimmage drills
8) Warm ups (even though they are important)
9) Pfiefer getting yelled at for “touching a player,” even though she clearly didn’t and playing cards with Coach Larson and Volz over Christmas break.
10) I don’t have one
11) My advice to younger players is to get outside your comfort zone to reach the goals you have for yourself.
12) Next year I will be attending UW Eau Claire. I will be majoring in Biology and possibly minoring in marine science.
13) I’d like to thank my parents who are always at as many games as they can go to. It really helps knowing that they are always supporting me. I would also like to thank my friends for making practice even more fun and being great teammates. I also appreciate everything that my high school coaches have done. They put in a lot of time to make us better and they care about each player personally. Overall, they go above and beyond what most coaches would do.
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Mady Hanse
Parents Names: Keith & Nicole Hanse
Sibling Names and Pets: Zach Hanse & Britany Kerr
1) I started playing last year after two years of track, but I was on the twisters when I was younger. I also played summer ball this past summer! It was super fun!
2) Eating seeds, making sure that I have heart-sunglasses, and I always tap the base before I hit.
3) Last year at our double header at home, I hit an in-the-park homerun, and when we went to Briqs before our game against Wausau West
4) I wouldn’t have just brushed off my time on the field because it was cut short very quickly.
5) Definitely Shelby Grigg, she’s so funny, and Natalie Zastrow, they can always get a good laugh out of me.
6) Lexy Millard! She always wants to get better.
7) Being with friends
8) Running
9) Coach Pfiefer and Kraklow took us to Briqs. For volleyball we had a Halloween dinner at Coach Pfeiffer’s house.
10) Aaron Rodgers
11) It goes so fast, so live in the moment the best you can. Play every game like it’s your last.
12) Attend UW-Stevens Point for Physical Therapy and play volleyball for the Pointers as well. Hopefully become a college or professional level athletic trainer.
13) I want to thank Coach Larson for pushing me to join softball, because I wouldn’t have had this wonderful experience. I want to thank Coach Volz and Coach Theiler for pushing me to join summer ball! It was awesome, and I grew so much. I want to thank Coach Pfiefer and Coach Kraklow for pushing me to be my best everyday. I also wanna thank my parents who supported me when I decided to switch sports and my friends for being so supportive as well.
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Kylee Theiler
Parents Names: Andy and Becky Theiler
Sibling Names and Pets: Carl Theiler
1) 2008 I played for the Tigers baseball team then the Tornadoes and Lakers city league softball teams. I also played on the Hatchet traveling team starting when I was 10.
2) Pretty much no matter how cloudy it is I always wear a visor and sunglasses in the field. Always have to have my plain sunflower seeds.
3) Junior year the trip to the Monroe tournament going to watch a Bader game and just the whole bus ride with the team.
4) Start slap hitting earlier in my softball career
5) CC Graber
6) Katy Volz
7) Hitting drills
8) The gappers with the tennis balls
9) The gun show after having a good hit, it is a really special thing our team does and I will always remember it.
10) Katie Ledecky
11) Don’t be afraid to try new things, discomfort is the key to success. Be open to being a multi sport athlete, you can have a main sport but play a second sport you love
12) Next year I will be studying economics and swimming at the University of Wyoming. After graduation I plan on continuing on to law school to pursue a career in corporate law.
13) I want to thank all of my coaches for pushing me to be the best that I can be. I also want to thank my mom who was also a coach of mine for a very long time and worked with me even when she wasn’t. She also helped me and supported me in all my decisions. I want to also thank all of my teammates for pushing me to be better and being there for me.
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Morgan Ernst
Parents Names: Karri & Darrin Ernst
Sibling Names and Pets: Baylee Ernst – older sister, Benson – cat
1) I’ve been playing softball ever since I was little. My very first softball team was a t-ball team, which I believe was called Lightning. Then I went up to b-ball and played on the Tornadoes. Then I went up to a-ball and played on the Lakers. I played on summer teams and fall ball as well.
2) I love to envision me making good plays, good hits, etc. Getting a positive attitude in my head before a game always helps.
3) My favorite memory from high school softball is when we were playing Wausau East during a JV game. Serena Hanke got hit with the pitch every single time she went up to bat. After a while, she literally didn’t even try to move and just let the ball hit her because it was SOOOOO SLOW. Overall, spending time with my teammates and getting to know different people has been the best part of high school softball.
4) The main thing I would do differently if I had the chance would be to embrace every moment. You never realize how fast sports actually go until they’re done. I would also change my attitude. I’ve kind of had a poor attitude through softball and if I got the chance to go back and change it I would. I would definitely be more confident and positive.
5) Serena Hanke
6) Katy Volz
7) Being with my teammates and hitting practice 🙂
8) When I make a mistake, I always let it linger on me. Then, it upsets me the whole practice and I’m down on myself the remainder of the practice.
9) My favorite memory from the high school coaching staff was when Mrs. Dotter was my coach, my freshman year. Mrs. Dotter is one of my teachers in school and she is always there to cheer me up when I need it. I can always talk to her whenever I have a problem. Overall, all the coaches have great personalities.
10) Being confident is my favorite sports personality. Whenever I’m confident I always do so much better. It’s something I still need to work on, but once I get past the “bi*#h in my head,” I know I will become a lot better of a softball player.
11) The biggest piece of advice I would give to younger players is to make the best of it. Something I never realized before I got done with volleyball is how fast sports actually go. Cherish the small things because they might turn into big things.
12) I plan on attending UW-Milwaukee for elementary education. While I’m there, I plan on staying involved as much as possible (intramurals, clubs, activities).
13) My biggest support system through high school softball has been my parents. They always are at every single one of my games and have been my #1 fans ever since I was little. They have shaped me into the person I am today and I’m forever grateful for that. I also am super thankful for coach Volz. He always pushes me to be confident and always pushes me to do my best. Whenever the “bi*#h” is in my head, he constantly reminds me to get it out.
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Haley Voermans-Dean
Parents Names: Heidi & Mark Micke, Dustin & Maria Dean
Sibling Names and Pets: Abi, Ellie, Max, Robert, Mark, Teddy
1) I played T-ball for the Hurricanes, B-ball for the Taz-Devils and the Hornets, A-ball for the Fusion and the Magic, and I also played on the Babe Ruth team and traveling teams each summer.
2) I visualize myself & my team playing the most perfect game during the national anthem at the beginning of every game and the last thing I always visualize is a homerun over the fence in right-center.
3) The 11 inning game against Oconto Falls, eating ice cream at state with Gillian, Coach Pfeifer and Mitch, the pontoon ride after state, and last year’s game against Mosinee.
4) The fear of failure held me back in my freshman year especially. If I would’ve asked more questions and tried new things more often I think I would’ve done better.
5) Sophie Wegner (Big Soph)
6) Katy Volz
7) The circle of love
8) When Coach Larson makes you lay in the mud and practice getting up from a dive
9) Coach Volz doing the worm in the warm up facility (that smelled like crayons) at state
10) Kara Goucher
11) Being uncomfortable is good. It helps you not only become a better softball player, but more importantly a better person.
12) I will continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, studying Environmental Science and running Cross Country and Track.
13) Thank you to my family, for all of their love and support they have given me. A special thanks to Mom, Nana, and Aunt Nancy, for instilling a love of softball in me from day one. Thank you to my coaches that I’ve had: Coach Volz, Coach Larson, Matt Theiler, Matt Dallman, and Becky Theiler, for each helping me find a different part of myself and helping me grow in character. You’ve truly had such a positive impact on my life. And finally, I would also like to thank my teammates that I have grown up in the softball family with me for many years. I’m so grateful we have created a bond that will last for many years to come.
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Natalie Zastrow
Parents Names: Kevin Zastrow & Mary Hauser
Sibling Names and Pets: Adam Zastrow, Emma (dog)
1) My first experience playing softball was when I played for the Lakers when Becky Theiler asked me because they were short a few girls. My first real experience playing softball was my freshman year of high school on JV. I continued playing all throughout high school, and played summer ball the summer going into my senior year
2) My game day ritual actually starts the night before a game when I pack my bag and make sure I have everything I need, especially seeds. The day of the game I like to eat snacks on the bus that my dad packs for me, and sing my favorite songs with my teammates.
3) A lot of my best memories come on the bus rides, but my favorite experience during a game was trying to be a catcher, and celebrating the homerun’s brought to us by Big Adz.
4) If given the opportunity, I would have played summer ball all throughout highschool. I learned a lot during summer ball and was able to play against better competition, it was also more time to bond with my teammates and I had no idea how much fun it would be.
5) I always got a kick out of Gianna and Kovar messing with each other, and also Mady Hanse being crazy and goofy (thank goodness she joined Junior year.)
6) Although I didn’t play softball with Maddie Marino for very long, for the time that I did she always put in full effort. The work that she put in inside and outside of softball is very commendable, and there is a lot I can learn from her despite her being younger than me. She has a great work ethic, and I am proud to call her my teammate and friend.
7) One part of practice that I enjoy is fielding. However, my favorite part of practice is probably call outs at the end. I love giving my teammates recognition and enjoy hearing how others appreciate the work one another put in.
8) Batting in the multi purpose room, it gets kind of depressing in there when we’re stuck inside because of the weather, but it always gets better once we are able to be outside.
9) Kovar constantly yelling at Gianna and Alyssa was always very comical. Also, Pfeifer making people run for swearing, and hitting Pfeifer with a ball and never letting me live it down.
10) Probably Molly Haggerity, an Outside Hitter for the Wisconsin Badger Volleyball team. She has a good sense of humor which I love and can relate to with my teammates. She also maintains a good relationship with fans at camps and games.
11) As cheesy as it sounds, don’t take anything for granted. Not even a bus ride, practice, or rain delay. You’ll want it all back when it’s over, especially with everything going on in the world right now, you never know when each last will come.
12) I am planning on attending UW-Eau Claire in the fall to pursue a degree in the healthcare field. Right now I am thinking either Nursing or Physical Therapy. I am definitely planning on playing intramural sports, and showing off my softball skills that I missed out on senior year.
13) Becky Theiler should be the first person I thank because she first introduced me to the sport. Next I would like to thank Coach Larson for convincing me to play in highschool and guiding me along my journey. Additionally I would like to thank my coaches Lauren Pfeifer, Amanda Kovar, and Abby Kraklow for always supporting and helping me. Of course I would like to thank all of my teammates for giving me a reason to play and work hard everyday. Also I would like to show gratitude to my parents and grandparents for supporting me and making it to every game possible. I can only remember one, or maybe two, games where I didn’t have a family member there supporting me which is unbelievable, and I feel so loved. Lastly, I would like to thank Ron Volz for the indescribable amount of things he has done for me over the years. He is a constant motivator to each and every girl, and whenever I doubt myself in any aspect of my life I now have his voice in my head cheering me on. He is so easy to get along with, and makes every single encounter fun, and makes my stomach hurt from laughing. He has taught me so many important lessons that will stretch far beyond the softball field or basketball court, and I love him like the best uncle I never had.
Sierra Swenson
1) When did you start playing ball? What teams did you play on when you were young? What summer teams did you play for?
2) What are some of your game-day rituals?
3) What are some of our favorite high school softball memories?
4) What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
5) Who is the most hilarious softball teammate you have ever played with?
6) Who is the hardest working teammate you have ever played high school softball with?
7) What is the best part of practice?
8) What is the worst part of practice?
9) What are some favorite memories of the high school coaching staff?
10) Who is your favorite sports personality?
11) What advice would you like to give youth players and the underclass members of the Hatchet softball program?
12) What are your plans for next year? Further into the future?
13) Who are all the people you would like to express gratitude towards and why as it relates to your softball career?
Name: Sierra Swenson
Parents Names: Jon and Katrina Swenson
Sibling Names and Pets: Four springer spaniels: Buddy, Molly, Roxie, Boomer
1) I started out playing b-ball year or two after my family moved to WI, took a break and returned to the last year of a-ball, and have continued since. I’m glad I decided to get back into the wing of things and have continued the sport that I’ve grown to love. I played on many different teams such as: blue devils, magic, hornets, babe Ruth league, 14U up to 18U, plus fall league.
2) I like to envision what the game is going to be like and figure out ways I can help my team whether it be on the field or keeping a positive energy in the dugout.
3) Dancing in the dugout to fireball between a double header at home, Monroe tournament weekend and Badger softball game and team breakfasts.
4) If I had the opportunity to do things differently, I wouldn’t have taken the small moments for granted. Each day isn’t guaranteed.
5) Addison Bartz or Serena Hanke
6) Katy Volz & Maddie Marino
7) Mush ball practices
8) Warm up runs
9) Larson walking onto the bus with a box full of cheese curds and saying, “It ain’t easy being cheesy”
10) None
11) If you are passionate about something give it all you have because with hard work and determination anything is achievable.
12) Next year I will be attending the University of Minnesota Duluth and will be doubling majoring in Psychology and Spanish. During my time there, I hope to continue my involvement in the arts and athletics.
13) I’d like to thank my parents who are constantly supporting me in my softball career and encouraging me to do my best in everything I do. They have always been there for me whether it be wishing me good luck or cheering on the sidelines. My coaches, Becky Theiler for always encouraging us, adding to the fun of the game, and being there for us in and out of sports. Ron Volz and John Larson for believing in me and my potential as a softball player. They have taught me many important lessons that I’ve been able to use outside of softball.