NEW PALESTINE — There are so many moments to choose from, but one thing seems to stand out consistently among the memories.
There has been a lot of fun. The success and the winning helps, sure. But it’s the people they’ve shared experiences with that seem to resonate most.
For New Palestine seniors Ashley Prange, Mackenzie Jones and Rieley Widmann, Saturday marks the end of their high school careers and an incredibly successful run as Dragons.
In the four years the trio has been at New Palestine, the Dragons have lost a total of 10 times. The team has compiled a record of 108-10, winning three sectional titles, two regionals and one state championship so far.
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Saturday, they get to play together one last time. They have a chance to add one more state title to the collection.
“I remember watching when I was tiny, up in the stands, thinking that’s going to be me one day,” Prange said. “Now, this is my last time putting on the jersey. It’s weird. It’s bittersweet.
“I can’t even really describe what it’s meant to me. It’s been so special and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”
Making memories
There are a lot of special memories held in those seconds for the three seniors.
From last year’s state win to the regular bus rides to and from games, there seemed to be one constant — the seniors, and the rest of their teammates, were just having fun being around their friends and sharing the moments with each other.
“When we went to state last year, the sendoff,” Widmann said of one of her favorite memories. “The whole community lined up to send us off. Just having everyone literally outside their doors was super cool to see the whole community behind us.”
Winning the game provided another unforgettable series of moments that the three shared together and with their team.
“Winning state and the dogpile after,” Prange said of her favorite memory as a Dragon. “Seeing how excited everyone was, seeing our community at the game. Putting the medal around your neck. It was cool.
“It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
It’s a feeling the three said they are hoping to repeat this weekend. It would be the perfect capstone to three unforgettable high school softball careers.
There are plenty of memories outside of becoming a state champion. Prange described the team as being “all like besties,” and they keep things fun and relaxed.
They were dancing and having fun between semistate games Saturday in Jasper. Their first practice heading into this weekend’s state championship was filled with fun challenges, pies to the face of their coaches, and sliding practice … with a Slip ‘n Slide.
And then there was that one time a forgetful sister made for an unforgettable moment.
“Oh, this is hilarious,” Prange said, as Mackenzie Jones started recollecting something her younger sister, Michaela, did this season.
Well, more accurately, something important that she didn’t do — bring her cleats to a game.
“We went up to Yorktown and we got on the bus, and Mic said, ‘Mac, I don’t know if I brought my cleats,’” Mackenzie Jones said. “I said, ‘Mic, you kind of have to have those to play.’ She forgot her cleats all the way in New Pal. Kaylea (Bullock) said she had a pair of turf shoes. I said I guess that could work, but I’ve never played on dirt with turf shoes since they are meant for indoors. (Mic) ended up playing the whole game and she caught in turf shoes.”
The three weren’t sure if their coach knew about that. He does now.
All fun aside, this weekend’s championship game is obviously special for the three New Palestine seniors. For Mackenzie Jones it has a deeper meaning.
It’s the last time she’ll play high school softball with her sister. Michaela, a sophomore, has caught for Mackenzie, the Dragons’ starting pitcher, all season, something the older Jones said has strengthened their sisterly bond.
“Knowing this is my last time with her, it’s sad, but at the same time I know that this happening, very few people get to experience it, and I’m going to cherish it,” Mackenzie Jones said. “She might get emotional. I’m not a very emotional person, but this could be a little emotional for me. I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m definitely going to hold onto the memory while I’m there.”
Widmann and Prange could only recall one time they’d seen Mackenzie Jones emotional.
Wouldn’t you know, it was on a bus ride.
“I think the only time I saw Mac cry was on the bus, when we played ‘Fifteen’ by Taylor Swift,” Prange said.
“She was sobbing,” Widmann added.
It’s another in a long list of fun, happy memories the trio have of their time as Dragons.
“Growing up from the rec league, playing with all these girls, playing four years in high school, you just cherish all the moments,” Widmann said.
Leading by example
There is an obvious chemistry among the three, and that extends to the team as a whole. All three are humble despite their successes, and according to their coach, they are quiet but established leaders who let their actions speak for them.
“First and foremost, they’re all just great individual young ladies,” New Palestine coach Ed Marcum said. “They all do well in school, they all work hard in the weight room, they work hard on their softball skills. They’re very likeable. None of them are vocal — they lead by example.
“I’m extremely honored to have an opportunity to coach this great group. Three outstanding young ladies.”
Their impact on the program is undeniable, and it goes beyond the statistics, the awards and the trophies.
Their teammates say they respect them. They like being around them, and want to emulate them and carry on the winning tradition the three have contributed to.
“Honestly we’ve always looked up to them,” junior Emily O’Connor said. “On the field they direct us where we want to go. We want to live up to their expectations.”
One last game
Prange, Widmann and Jones want to win a second state title. The next crop of seniors — including juniors O’Connor, Tatum Biddle and Emma Tucher — want to win it for their friends.
“We’re all best friends, so it stinks we’re going to lose them,” Biddle said. “We want to win for them their last season. This is our last season with them and we want to play for and with them as much as we can.”
“They are great players, but they are even better teammates,” Tucher added. “They are all so uplifting. We’re going to miss them a lot next year, but I think they’re all going to do really well in college, too.”
The seniors have a few final practices now, along with one more opportunity to make game-day memories together.
The two-hour bus ride to West Lafayette on Saturday will inevitably be filled with more fun moments. Hopefully, more fun will be had on the field and the post-game bus ride.
From there, the three go their separate ways to start their college adventures. They won’t forget the time they’ve spent together, with their coaches and the rest of their teammates.
That’s the point. The winning is great. The success is fun. But the friendships are the foundation.
“Ever since we’ve been growing up, we’ve always heard coaches say that some people will remember the game stuff, but you guys aren’t going to remember the games and the scores, you’re just going to remember all the memories and fun moments you’ve had with each other,” Mackenzie Jones said. “That’s what I’m taking from this. The relationships we’ve all built with each other.”
All three are proud to have worn the Dragons uniform and get one more chance to do so this weekend on the big stage at Purdue University. Together, they are going to try to put their final winning touches on a four-year success story.
No matter what happens in the state final, it’s been an unforgettable journey filled with special moments for the three.
“It’s been an honor,” Widmann said. “It’s been an awesome four years.”
“I’ll miss the team more than anything,” Prange added. “We’ve had so much fun.”
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What: IHSAA Class 3A Softball Championship
Who: New Palestine Dragons (29-1) vs. South Bend St. Joseph Indians (25-5)
When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Bittinger Stadium, Purdue University, 1324 McCormick Road, West Lafayette. Note: Due to road closures/construction on McCormick Road south of the athletic complex, all attendees should plan to arrive using Cherry Lane from the east or McCormick Road from the north.
Tickets: $10. Can be purchased at New Palestine’s main office today starting at noon through Friday, or can be purchased at the stadium on game day.
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