Advertisement
Montgomery signs with Graceland U to play Sting softball on scholarship
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Sports · February 23, 2017


West Branch High School senior Kaylee Montgomery on Feb. 14 signed a letter of intent to play softball for the Graceland University Sting on a scholarship.


The 18-year-old daughter of David and Lori Montgomery accepted the part-academic, part-athletic offer with many friends, family, teammates and classmates looking on during a short ceremony in the high school gymnasium.

Montgomery understands that she is part of Graceland Interim Head Coach Todd Verwers’ plans to “turn things around” with the softball team.

“I’m super excited to play for them,” she said.

Head High School Softball Coach Kevin Kaalberg notes that Kaylee lettered in softball since freshman year and earned Academic All-Conference status after the 2015 season from the River Valley Conference. She also lettered in basketball in 2015 and volleyball in 2016.

“Kaylee has the ability to be a very good power hitter,” Kaalberg said. “She is strong with very fast hands through the hitting zone.”

The Bears coach also spoke well of Kaylee’s personal contributions to the team.

“Kaylee is a very good teammate and will be leaned on being a senior captain to help the young players this year,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of her for finding a good fit for her academically as well as athletically.”

Verwers said Montgomery will help the team build depth at corner infield and at catcher.

“West Branch faces good competition and she handles pitchers well,” he said, which prompted him to make the scholarship offer.

Montgomery first stepped onto a ball diamond 13 years ago in T-ball and continued into softball playing first base, third base, catcher and some outfield. She played both school and club teams. In high school, she moved around as well, but primarily played catcher and first base.

After Verwers contacted her, she visited the campus.

“I thought it was awesome,” she said, and soon after gave a verbal commitment to the school’s offer. She also considered Upper Iowa University and Wartburg College.

Verwers first saw Montgomery play at a tournament at Don Bosco High School last summer. At the time, he coached West Marshall High School.

“He hadn’t seen me play other than that one tournament,” she said, stating that to get an offer based on that singular demonstration was “a huge compliment.”

David Montgomery said the family first started recognizing his daughter’s potential to play college softball during her freshman or sophomore year. Lori Montgomery remembers her hitting a home run as an underclassman.

“She’s always had a passion for it,” she said.

David said Kaylee “works really hard” at the sport.

“We’re really proud of her,” he said.

Lori said she was glad to see Kaylee’s accomplishments add up to this opportunity.

Verwers said he starts fresh every season, and no one is guaranteed a starting position, even if they started the season before.

“Whether they’re seniors or freshmen, the best players start,” he said.

The college is nearly three hours away, but her family hopes to attend as many games as possible. Graceland’s closest opponent to West Branch is Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids.

She credited Kaalberg and his family, her immediate family and her friends and teammates for helping push her to excel and “they’ve been a big part of helping me to evolve into the player I’ve become.”

“They cheer for me during games – it’s awesome to have them with me all this time, to make me better,” Montgomery said.

She will play for West Branch this summer and join the Graceland team this fall.

Montgomery said she plans to major in graphic design and is also interested in Graceland’s social media marketing major.

The Sting play 30 junior varsity and 60 varsity games each season, so Verwers expects everyone to get some playing time.

Her other high school activities include volleyball, track, National Honor Society and serving as the co-editor of the yearbook.