Softball preview: West Central Are has new coach, conference

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The West Central Area girls will have a new coach at the helm of the softball team and a new conference for the upcoming season as Brian Poyzer takes over for Dana Jesnowski.

Poyzer, who is in his 11th year as a teacher at West Central Area, will have a young roster, filled mostly with freshmen and sophomores after losing Heart O’ Lakes All-Conference players Alyssa Blair and Marissa Skinnemoen.

Returning for the Knights are a group of sophomores who worked their way into the starting line-up late last spring. Amber Oberg, Lauryn McLaughlin, Melissa Vikesland, Amy Benson, Ashton Blair and freshman Doranna Blascyk will all be back for West Central this spring.

“The girls realize the challenge laid before them and they are up for it,” said Poyzer. “Our weakness will obviously be experience.

“We will not run off tons of wins this spring, but the overall picture is we have a group of girls who have the possibility of playing together for three seasons. That leaves lots of room for growth and endless possibilities.”

This is the first year in the Prairie Conference for the Knights and it will be a learning experience as the team faces opponents it has never met before.

Poyzer is impressed with Brandon-Evansville and Ashby.

“They come to play and both should advance far in the tourney this year,” he said.

Poyzer’s team finished with a 7-13 overall record last year and a 4-7 mark in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference.

He will be assisted by Randy Walters and Beth Hanson.

2012 WEST CENTRAL AREA SOFTBALL

ROSTER

SOPHOMORES – Amber Oberg, Lauryn McClaughlin, Melissa Vikesland, Amy Benson, Ashton Blair, Jackie Oelke, Katie Poyzer, Erin Flake, Mikayla Stark.

FRESHMEN –Doranna Blascyk, Shonna Bradley, Karlie Kuseske, Kaia Frank, Hailey Stark, Katherine Thomson, Megan Holl, Marissa Johnson.

Tags: west central area sports, sports, softball, knights