After overcoming a knee injury, putting in 8½ months of hard rehab and finishing a successful softball season, Courtney Ainsworth last week earned recognition from the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association for her hard work.
Ainsworth was named to the group’s all-state first team.
“It kind of just surprised me,” said Ainsworth, who just concluded her junior year at Shawano Community High School. “I thought maybe I could possibly get it, but it was just a shock that it all came true.”
Ainsworth was one of the Bay Conference’s most dangerous catchers, throwing out seven runners despite teams rarely trying to steal on her.
At the plate, Ainsworth averaged .444 for the season and had 31 RBIs.
“It’s always great to see hard work get rewarded,” SCHS softball coach Kevin Isaacson said. “While Courtney is a very talented young lady, she’s also an incredibly hard worker. It’s fun to see that get the respect it deserves.”
Ainsworth is only the second player in the program’s history to earn first-team all-state honors. SCHS Hall of Famer Emily Hertzell Rogers was the first to earn the honors in 1999.
“Thinking back to see all the good players we’ve had throughout the program and everything, to see that I’m only the second one to get that honor is pretty cool,” Ainsworth said.
Isaacson said two things set Ainsworth apart.
“She’s an exceptional defensive catcher,” he said. “Great instincts. She’s able to call the game and has a remarkable throwing arm. Secondly, I think the state coaches really respected her for how hard she worked to come back from a really tough knee injury last summer. That was nine months of very focused effort to get back for her first softball game.”
Ainsworth tore her an ACL playing in a basketball tournament last summer. Following surgery, Ainsworth did 8½ months of rehab at the clinic and daily with SCHS athletic trainer Sally Buckett-Egan. Ainsworth was cleared for contact just before the beginning of the softball season.
“Sally Buckett-Egan, our school’s athletic trainer, did just an incredible job of working with Courtney,” Isaacson said, “motivating her, challenging her. I’m sure Courtney would say that Sally’s leadership and guidance was a big driver in her being able to come back.”
Once back on the diamond, Ainsworth said it was a bit scary, but she had no problems.
“Coming back was just fine,” Ainsworth said. “It felt just like any other year.”
Ainsworth also plays tennis and basketball, and she is looking forward to her senior year.
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