By Ken Hansard
Frontenac High School junior Gracen McLaren has already built an impressive resume for the Raiders softball program, and she enters the new season determined to help her team continue its success in the CNC.
McLaren, a second baseman, was a key contributor to Frontenac’s remarkable 30-1 season last year that ended with a perfect record in the CNC and culminated in a state championship. McLaren made a major impact for the Raiders as just a sophomore, earning honors as First Team All-State along with second team All-CNC.
Those accolades came after a strong statistical season. McLaren finished with a .394 batting average and a .950 fielding percentage while recording 50 putouts and compiling 26 assists. “Those are big accomplishments to make as a sophomore, and it really made me feel like I did my part to step up and contribute on a team full of seniors.”
As a junior, McLaren is embracing a leadership role as the Raiders bring in several younger players. “I see myself as being a leader for our players. It’s my responsibility to help set the standard for effort and attitude, since those are things we all control ourselves.”
Despite the team’s success last year, McLaren spent the offseason focused on improving her hitting consistency by working on mechanics and taking extra swings whenever possible. “One of my biggest goals this season is to keep improving my performance and be more consistent.”
McLaren is especially looking forward to postseason play. “Those games are always the most exciting because everything we’ve worked on all season comes together,” she said.
Off the field, McLaren carries a 3.7 GPA and plans to attend Labette Community College to pursue a career as a radiologic technician in the healthcare field.
