By Ken Hansard
As Kaci Young looks toward her final season of softball for Halstead, she can also reflect on a lot of past success. The Dragons finished last season 20-4. A big reason for that impressive record came from Young’s exploits at shortstop and on the mound, where she recorded an impressive 176 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.275. Young was awarded First-Team All-Central Kansas League as a pitcher and Honorable-Mention at shortstop. She was also named to the Wichita Eagle’s Second-Team All-Metro and Honorable Mention All-State as a pitcher. As a freshman, Young was First-Team All-League, Third-Team All-Metro, and Honorable-Mention All-State as a pitcher.
However, whenever Young looks back on her accolades, what she likely sees is a gap in her resume – no mention of sophomore year, “Tearing my ACL during basketball sophomore year was tough because I missed out on something I love, but it also taught me a lot about resilience, both physically and mentally. I had to rebuild my strength and my confidence on the mound. Every game felt like a small victory. I’m stronger for having gone through that process.”
A senior now, Young is ready to add to that resume, “We’re focused on making a deep playoff run or even winning a title. I’m just trying to make the most of every moment while pushing for something special.”
Young also gives a shout out to her father, “He’s the one who took me to the fields to hit and pitch, and practiced basketball with me in the driveway, bundled up in 30-degree weather, never once complaining. His commitment and support helped shape who I am today.”
