KAUKAUNA — 81 straight wins. 3 straight state titles. The Kaukauna softball program should have “dynasty” written across the front of the Galloping Ghosts logo. However, these last 3 seasons are in the rearview mirror. The search for a 4-peat has already begun.
- The Ghosts are looking to join SPASH as the only school to win four straight state titles.
- There is no need to introduce junior star pitcher Karly Meredith, who was named the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year last season.
- Missing this year are Paige Miller, who currently plays third base at Wisconsin, and leadoff hitter Kally Meredith, who is at FIU. They have been the heart of the team for the last few years.
“We want to keep this momentum going,” senior shortstop Taryn Christopher said. “We will work hard every day to maintain this form, but for us these are just numbers.”
The Galloping Ghosts wasted no time in preparing for 2024 after winning their third consecutive title.
“It’ll be nice at night,” Christopher said. “You come home and see everyone cheering for you, but it seems like next week we start lifting weights, everyone is doing their thing, hitting shots, everyone is playing summer ball. It really never ends. We’re going and it’s getting better.”
Missing this year are Paige Miller, who currently plays third base at Wisconsin, and setter Kally Meredith, who works at FIU. They have been the heart of the team for the last few years.
“They brought a lot of energy. They brought a lot of intensity to practice and they brought it every night, but we have a few kids who have thrived in that role. They witnessed it, they saw it and they know how to do it.
Christopher is one of those leaders who seeks to continue the dynasty’s rule.
Continuing this is extremely important to us. We just work hard and do our best. It will definitely look different this year, but we will give it our all and do everything we can.
There is no need to introduce junior star pitcher Karly Meredith, who was named the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year last season.
“I look at her and I’m in shock,” Christopher said of Meredith. “Her work ethic is crazy.”
She’s coming off a campaign in which she had a 0.46 ERA, and that’s something her opponents might not want to hear.
“I’m sad to say it and I’ll tell it to everyone – she’s getting better again,” head coach Tim Roehrig said. “He throws harder. Her throws are more mobile and it’s better.
Kaukauna attributes his success to his relentless work ethic. The expectations are not just about winning or presenting the conference. It’s to take home the golden ball.
“I guess the way I look at it… when you raise a racehorse, when it’s adolescent, it’s built to be rapid, to play and to run, and these guys from a adolescent age were built to win and they’ve got it in their head now, they’ve got it in their minds blood,” Roehrig said.
