Cedarburg HS softball striving to ‘return to excellence’
CEDARBURG, Wis. — Cedarburg High School Girls Softball has started its 2022 season coming off of an exceptional 2021 season. Last year the team won 26 games, won their conference, and went to the state tournament. This year the team hopes to improve their record and go all the way, winning a state championship.
Leading the team are head coaches Mark Jessup and Jeff Langkamp. Mark and Jeff took over the program in 2017 and turned a team that had only won two games the season prior into the powerhouse it is now.
Coach Jessup says “When Jeff and I took over the program, we came up with a motto, RTE – Return to Excellence. During the late 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s, Cedarburg High School Softball won multiple conference championships and went to state multiple times. Our goal was to get the program back to that level.” And they have. Coach Langkamp added “Hardwork and goals can make dreams come true. You have to earn what you want because nothing is given to you or going to be easy if you want to accomplish those dreams.”
The dedication to excellence is not just in winning, it is also in character. Jeff stated that “One of the things Mark and I instill in the girls is to play the game the “right way” with respect. Respect for the game, respect your teammates, respect your opponents and the umpires.” This is something the team is often recognized for by other coaches and officials and it makes them so proud of their team.
One of the many standout athletes on the team is, a senior pitcher and team captain, Paytn Monticelli. Paytn has had huge success pitching for CHS and 18U Premier Holloway Beverly Bandits. A few of her accomplishments from last season and this years pre-season include, 2021 WI Gatorade Player of the Year, 1st Team All-State and D1 Player of the Year, 1st Team All Conference and Northshore Player of the Year and for 2022, MaxPreps Pre-Season #1 Ranked Player in the State of Wisconsin. She is also going on to play Division 1 Softball for UW-Madison next year.
Monticelli says her goals for this season are “to strike out as many people as possible and walk under 10 on the season.” Also, “help my team get to state and win a state championship.” She also says that she doesn’t give less than 200% in every aspect of the game, whether it be pitching, hitting, or fielding. Paytn also makes it her priority to be the most supportive teammate and strongest athlete for every team and every season, regardless of who she is playing for.
When asked what she loves about Softball Paytn says “I love everything about it, the high-pressure situations, the games where one tiny mistake could come down to whether you win or lose. I love that I can travel the country and meet so many new people and make long-lasting friendships that will carry into college. Most of the commits on my national team are going to play in the Big Ten as well so it’ll be cool to see them when we’re all in college.”
You can find out more about the team and their 2022 schedule at https://cedarburg.sportngin.com/page/show/733228-cedarburg-bulldogs-softball
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