Dickinson softball chatting with the champs

DICKINSON N.D.– With their win in the state championship this past season, the Dickinson Midgets softball team has now won back-to-back state championships. This time we have Dickinson head coach Amanda Mickey and star player Ava Jahner.

Zack Mothersbaugh: Welcome back to Chatting with the Champions. I’m here with the Dickinson softball team, Ava Jahner and coach Amanda Mickey. Thanks, guys, for being here.

Amanda Mickey: Thanks for having us.

ZM: So going back to back now. What’s it feel like to get your second win in the state championship?

Ava Jahner: It’s a great feeling. I mean, it was good to go out senior year. There’s still a lot of big things that these girls are going to do without us four seniors so I’m excited to stay home and watch that.

AM: I was super excited because we were able to do it at home to be able to compete and show up to our hometown, especially after they just gave us this gorgeous, complex. I felt like we owed it to them and our kids produced, they didn’t crumble under pressure and it was, it was a fun deal. I mean, it’s something that you’ll never be able to relive because it was a one-time, you know, beginning start here with the first state, state title game and being in it and the kids came through. Even being behind with Bismarck High, and it was fun. It was absolutely awesome.

ZM: So you were at your home field. What was what was the crowd like? What was the atmosphere like for you guys when you were out here?

AM: It was the largest crowd. I honestly didn’t pay attention to any of that, but after the fact, I was told it was close to 1200 people. So it was it was electric in here. It was absolutely awesome.

AJ: Yeah, it was great to see all those people come out and support us, even people that normally don’t come to the softball games, you know, the state tournaments in Dickinson, you might as well go. And then they got to see what we really can do.

ZM: And so, moving to the next step for you. You’re going to be playing here still, but with Dickinson State at the next level, what’s that going to be like?

AJ: It’s going to be great. I mean, staying close to home is really nice. I have all my family that comes out, and supports me. So staying home and having that fan base that I already have, more people are going to come to the games because you know there’s a local person here, so more people are going to show up. There’s just going to be a big draw to that I think.

Zm: And then for the team, what’s next for you guys?

AM: I’m always looking for next year. I mean, every single year I’m more worried about the future here than I am at that exact year, which makes no sense. And it’s kind of silly, but I’m always worried about it. And our seniors Jenny Decker, Morgan Koffler, Braylon Farnsworth, and A.J., they did such a great job leading them into what’s what’s going to be raising the bar. They already know what the standard is, and they’re going to keep continuing to raise that. I mean, the years that have come, the last ten years I’ve been coaching, every single kid, every senior has been doing a great job raising that. And we know what we need to do and we’ll work hard for it. We do every year and we’ll pretend like we’re at the bottom of the bracket and just keep working hard.

ZM: And so when does that kick in? The next year part of that, does it kick in before the season? Does it kick in right around now?

AM: It kicked in. It kicked in a long time ago. I mean, we already like trying to plan what’s going on when we lose these four and still try to make sure the kids are enjoying that moment. But as coaches, we’re always stressed about making sure we’re taking care of them and preparing them for the next year. But it probably started exactly the day after state I was coaching a 14U softball game for travel ball the day after state at 8 a.m. in the morning, so you never never take a break. you just got to keep going.

ZM: And that’s all we have for chatting with the champs today. Thank you and thank you, guys.

AM: Thank you, we appreciate it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KX NEWS.