By Blake Chadwick
Making an immediate impact at the varsity level is never easy, especially for a freshman. But for Dakota Whiteside, stepping into that opportunity with the Bluestem softball program is something she’s embracing early in her high school career.
Whiteside enters the season as a freshman, but her experience in the game has already helped prepare her for the moment. Having played softball for nine years, including five seasons of travel ball, she has developed a strong understanding of the game and what it takes to compete.
“My biggest strength is probably my field awareness and knowledge,” Whiteside said. “I know my runners, my outs, and the possible plays for wherever the ball could be hit on every pitch.”
While many freshmen are still adjusting to the speed of the high school game, she has already developed a mindset focused on preparation and consistency.
“My practice mindset is knowing every single rep counts,” Whiteside said. “Lazy reps cause lazy habits, which leads to laziness in game performance.”
Her approach during games is equally focused, as she works to stay mentally steady regardless of the situation.
“When something happens in a game, I know I can’t go back and change it,” Whiteside said. “So I focus on the next play and don’t let the last one affect me, whether it was good or bad.”
While Whiteside is just beginning her high school career, she already understands the importance of team culture and leadership. Bluestem has faced challenges with injuries and a smaller roster this season, but the team continues to show resilience.
“Our biggest strength as a team is that we keep working hard even with low numbers and injuries,” Whiteside said. “We still show up with a good attitude every day.”
Whiteside’s personal goals this season focus on building confidence and performing to the best of her ability, while also helping the team maintain a positive and competitive environment.
Even as a freshman, she hopes to play a role in helping the program grow.
“I try to help by getting more people interested in coming out for softball and helping teammates whenever they need it,” Whiteside said.
If Whiteside continues developing the way she has early on, her freshman season could be just the beginning of a promising career for Bluestem softball.
