Following a loss in the subdistrict finals last season, the Wayne High softball team has been putting in the work early in 2025 including a home jamboree during the first week of practices.
With youth summer softball being done for more than a month, school ball is underway where 18 will make up this year's team.
Rob Sweetland starts his 24th season as the head coach with more than 600 career wins on the diamond. He'll be joined by Kiley Koch and Lauren Gilliland.
The group lifted three times per week all summer long with great attendance while most of the girls played with their respective summer softball teams. The Blue Devils did participate in the Wayne State College team camp in mid-July.
"It's always nice for us to have players coming in off a couple months of practice and competition," said Sweetland. "It makes for the transition into the school season easier, especially with only a handful of practices before the first game."
During the first week of NSAA practices, the Wayne coaching staff was trying to touch all the basics to see who can compete for what position on the field and in the lineup.
"Communicating on and off the field," Sweetland added. "Becoming a stronger team by becoming more familiar with one another."
Goals include improving their mental toughness, getting better with every practice and game while also competing for conference and districts titles.
The senior class of five is made up of Nyla Bolles, Jordyn Gamble, Reagan McGuire, Mackenzie Nissen and Kassidee Holz.
Last season, Wayne High went 19-11.
The Blue Devils will need to fill the void of a starting pitcher and a solid first basemen due to graduation along with an outfielder following an unfortunate off-season injury to Bolles. The goal is to get Nyla back towards the end of the season.
"We do have a lot of varsity experience returning so we should be able to take steps forward to improve our performance on the field," Sweetland mentioned. "I really like the freshmen class. They are an eager bunch and are very coachable. I think there will be a few that may be able to help us out in one or more parts of the game."
With NSAA official practices beginning on August 11, Class B Wayne was put to the test with a home jamboree playing Class A Norfolk High in a pair of games.
The coaching staff would like to see a more consistent level of play throughout games and tournament days.
"We seemed to fade a bit in longer games and days where we had two to three games," said Sweetland. "We need to be able to keep our focus and energy up throughout a seven inning game and a three-game day."
Following their August 14 jamboree, the Wayne Herald spoke with Reagan McGuire, Gamble and Nissen.
Reagan McGuire is a senior shortstop/utility player and was the starting shortstop as well as lead-off hitter for the Dirt Devil 16/18s over the summer. She worked with her dad and younger sister (sophomore Kinnley McGuire).
"We're figuring stuff out with the younger team and where people are playing the best and hitting the best and doing their best jobs," said Reagan McGuire. "For the jamboree, seeing how it all works in a live setting was key."
Gamble is a senior utility player who mainly plays outfield and pitches. She mainly pitched for the Dirt Devil 16/18s and attended weight training with her teammates.
"I'm really excited about this team," said Gamble. "Most of us are pretty close, even if we don't all hang out outside of softball. When we come to softball we're all a team and a family."
Nissen is a senior pitcher, outfielder and first baseman. She was on the Norfolk Golden Girls 18u summer team and mainly pitched while playing a little in the outfield. She worked on her pitching over the summer with additional lessons.
Nissen joined the Wayne softball team during the Wayne State College team camp over the summer.
"Good thing about this team is there's a lot of different line-ups we can use," said Nissen.
"Depending on what team we're playing, the lineup could switch."
Some team goals from the players were to have a batting average above .300, field at least 90%, have positive comments and lift the team up while also winning a district final.
The 2025 fall season will open on August 21 at 6 p.m. vs. Blair. The game was originally scheduled to be played on the road but moved to a home game for Wayne. The Blue Devils will also be hosting their home tourney on August 23 starting at 9:30 a.m.
Coach Sweetland appreciates you the fan for your support.
"The girls really enjoy the strong student sections at home games," said Sweetland. "We had a large turnout last year for our game with NEN and the energy the crowd brought really helped us and we played our best game of the season in that game."
Wayne High will need to find out early on who is ready to compete at fielding positions and while creating a 'potent' lineup that is strong from top to bottom.
Reagan McGuire, Gamble and Nissen also shared a message with the fans and to the youth of the program.
"We are really thankful to always have people here supporting us," said Reagan McGuire. "Our own personal Blue Devil grandparents (Reynolds) are always here supporting us and going to every game which is super nice to see that we have constant support from the community...keep working hard, do what the coaches are telling you because it'll work, it's been working for years. Keep pushing through, have confidence."
"It's nice to see dedicated fans because not only your parents are here but the community is here behind you," Gamble added. "Huge thing we stress to the new players is be coachable, because a lot of the time you are coached by Rob, Kiley and Lauren even if you haven't played a position before, you might be playing there and just be thankful to be in any spot you can."
"We want to thank everyone for coming and it helps a lot," said Nissen. "Play freely, don't put to much stress on yourself, you only have four years, so use those. It goes really quick."
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