The newest member of the Blair High School softball coaching staff joined Jennifer Fangmeier, Krystal Macholan and Monica Maly for the program's youth camp last Wednesday.
All four were forced to conduct both opening day sessions for grades 2-5 and 6-8 inside due to rain.
“Ideally, softball should have dirt and grass,” Katie (Ruwe) Christensen said.
The 2012 Blair graduate joins the Bears after an NCAA All-American career at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, and coaching stops at both Lexington and Bennington. She wasn't happy weather kept the youngsters inside the BHS gym Wednesday, but they were making the most of it.
“It definitely poses more challenges,” Christensen said. “But you're still able to learn those basic skill sets that you would learn outside.”
The coach also leads an age 12 and younger softball team, the Blair Diamonds, during the summer months. She said all but two of her players made camp, too.
“Ten of them, which is pretty good,” she said.
Christensen was excited to see the Diamonds work their way through camp drills and with other players outside of their age group.
“It's crazy because they'll be in high school in a couple years,” she said. “It'll be fun to watch the process.”
The former Bear and Loper has gone through her own process back to BHS, where Fangmeier once led her as she wrapped up her prep career and earned her spot at UNK.
“I loved Jen as a volunteer coach,” Christensen said. “She definitely inspired me to be a better player because she plays with a lot of heart, and she motivates everyone to be mentally tough and physically tough.”
It may have been inside instead of out, but the newest member of the coaching staff is excited for her return to BHS.
“It's good to be back,” she said.
