For Tuttle High School senior Lauren Wasson, softball is about much more than the position she plays or the result of a single at-bat. It is about the people beside her; the lessons built through teamwork and the relationships that extend well beyond the field.
“The best unwritten rule in softball is to play for the people beside you, not yourself,” Wasson said.
Wasson is a utility player who fills the role her coaches believe best serves the team.
“I am a utility player. I play wherever my coaches feel is the best for the team. This season though, I have mostly played third base. The most difficult thing about playing third base is knowing where to stand. Every pitch I’m standing somewhere different. It depends on the type of pitch, the type of hitter, and the plays us as a field are trying to execute.”
That attention to detail carries into every plate appearance. Wasson studies the coach’s signals, the field alignment, the runners and the defense before deciding how to approach each pitch.
“My process at the plate starts off with looking at my coach. Sometimes I get a sign to do something, or I get the go ahead to do whatever I feel is best. Next, I look at the field. Where are they standing? Who is fast? Are there any gaps in the field? Where are my runners? Depending on these factors, I choose what I’m going to do whether that be bunt, swing, or take a pitch. I do this every pitch because something can always change.”
Wasson values the support system around her, including teammates Hailey Day, Maggie Huff and Ivy Ferrell. She said Day’s leadership and work ethic stand out, while Huff provides humor and Ferrell brings an aggressive defensive presence.
“The teammate that has left the biggest impression on me is Hailey Day. She is one of the hardest workers I have ever met, both on and off the field. She is dedicated and works hard for everything she has.”
Off the field, Wasson is involved in student council, National Honor Society, HOSA and the Medical Assisting program at Canadian Valley Technology Center in Chickasha. She also volunteers at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center and works in the baby room at a daycare.
“Athletics has taught me that if you cannot work in a group and successfully do your part along with everyone else, then nothing can be achieved. In any work setting, teamwork is a must. It teaches communication, responsibility, and discipline. In many ways, these cannot be taught anywhere else. These skills I will use every day, no matter what my life will look like in the future.”
