ANKENY, Iowa — When you watch the Ankeny Christian softball team play, you would probably never guess that this is the program's first season competing. But while they may be a new team, they're quickly ascending as one of the top teams in Class 1A.
The Eagles don't look anything like a first-year team. In fact, they've been dominant through their first 12 games, winning nine of them by eight runs or more.
"I think every win we get under our belt is just another little boost to our confidence, you know?" said junior catcher Anna Weathers. "We beat one team and then we were like okay, let's get the next team and we got the next team. I think we also just keep encouraging each other which is also building our own confidence, too."
The Eagles rank in the top five for several different offensive categories in Class 1A, including team batting average and homeruns.
"We have really good team camaraderie and we've put in a lot of work at practice, so I think that also plays into how well we do in the games," said freshman first baseman/catcher Katelyn Weathers.
At first, Head Coach James Crosby didn't want to put too much pressure on the team by setting any goals, but it was always in the back of his mind.
"Secretly, I kind of wanted to go out and get the conference this year," Crosby said. "Certainly, after a couple practices knew we had the talent to do that and the way they've been playing I think we can probably push that goal a little bit."
The Eagles know there's still a lot of season left, but if they can keep playing like this, they believe they can make it pretty far.
"Just stay in the mindset of persevering even when it's hard and just starting off passing the bat and just remain relaxed. Just stay confident," Katelyn Weathers said.
Regardless of how the rest of the season turns out, this group will be part of Ankeny Christian Academy history, and that's something to be proud of in itself.
"By the end of the season, we'll be able to look back and be like yeah, we did that. I think it'll be super cool," Anna Weathers said.