Fort Calhoun High School senior Lucie Larsen lost a bit of love for softball during the course of her prep career.
Forced to sit in the dugout through a serious knee injury, however, changed her outlook.
“Once I saw all of my teammates playing for my club team, it just made me love it so much and just miss it,” Larsen said. “I wanted to play more.”
The Pioneer celebrated signing with Midland University on Monday, ensuring a future in her sport. Warriors coach Beth Singleton, as well as Nebraska Venom club and Fort Calhoun coaches, were in attendance alongside Larsen's family and fiends for the get-together.
“I'm so excited,” the senior explained. “I'm glad that God gave me the opportunity to come back from knee surgery and really just find the love for it again.”
As she continued to work her way back from injury, Larsen hit .271 with eight RBIs and nine runs scored this past season with her FCHS teammates. As a junior, though, the pitcher notched a 2.53 ERA to go with a .427 batting average, three homers and 29 RBIs.
The Pioneers improved on the diamond during her career, too. The four-year contributor's freshman season came with just six wins before her junior and senior years each surpassed 20.
This past fall, Fort Calhoun even qualified for its first-ever state tournament.
“From freshman year, we worked our butts off and we kept working up from there,” Larsen said. “I hope they go further, too.”
While FCHS contends for more next fall, the newest Warrior will be working toward her first college season in Fremont. She likes the size of Midland and, most importantly, enjoyed meeting many of her new teammates during a softball camp just earlier this month.
“All of the softball girls were so funny and supportive,” Larsen said. “I just thought it was home.”
The Pioneer said she's looking forward to getting stronger post-injury and is excited to get back to pitching at a high level.
