Meet Marion softball player Kaitlyn Reuss
MARION, Ill. — Kaitlyn Reuss has been in the sports spotlight at Marion High School for several years. And she’s never shied away from that spotlight.
From a freshman all-state softball pitcher, to a senior leader and all-conference selection on the basketball floor, Reuss has made a name for herself in Wildcat sports lore. And for her already achieved accomplishments, as well as expectations for a stellar senior softball season, Reuss is the Best Version Media, Marion Neighbors Big Cat of the Month.
The 18-year-old battled injury off and on before becoming a key player in her senior season on the basketball floor. However, it’s softball where she has made the biggest impact for Wildcat athletics. And while she is an accomplished hitter, she shines the brightest in the pitcher’s circle.
She has played softball for 13 years, not only in the Marion school system, but also on travel teams like SI Crossfire, Z20 Bombers and Midwest Grit. In November, she signed to pitch collegiately at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.
Reuss accepts the fact that her role as a pitcher keeps her on her toes.
“I am a pitcher, so the biggest challenge is to stay mentally focused every practice and every game,” she said. “I have had to train myself to take everything I’ve learned from my mentors and coaches and apply it to games and practices.”
Unlike baseball, softball pitchers can be called on day after day after day. That is because softball pitchers throw underhand, which is the natural motion of the arm. And while Reuss has been blessed to be on teams with pitching depth, she also knows when you are called upon, you have to be ready, even when you’re not at your best.
“Softball is a game of mistakes,” she said. “I have personally made many mistakes, where it’s leaving the ball down the middle of the plate or a pitch not moving the right way. All you can do in these situations is to leave the mistake in the past and overcome it with a better outcome on the next play or the next pitch.”
She also says you have to remain confident in your abilities.
“I have been given a lot of advice, but the best advice I have received is to always have confidence in myself whether I am performing my best or not.”
Reuss has seen a great deal of success with Marion softball. The Lady Wildcats have won or shared South Seven Conference championships in each of her three previous seasons, and has won two regional championships. She says her experience with these teams has been an important part of her success.
“Being a member of a team has taught me leadership, selflessness, and that everybody has a role on the team whether on the field or off the field,” Reuss said.
Reuss knows that as a pitcher, people will look to her as an example.
“My biggest goal was to play collegiate softball,” she said. “Now my goals are to continue to get better and be a role model for younger athletes and be someone they can look up to.”
Outside of sports, Reuss seems to be a typical teenager.
“I like to go shopping, spend time with family and friends and I like going to Starbucks,” she said.
But on the field, it’s down to business. With an injury taking away her sophomore season, she knows you have to make the most of your time on the field.
“Don’t take anything for granted,” she said. “Because you never know when your last game could be.”
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