The Mid-Prairie softball team will be under new, yet familiar direction this summer. Former Golden Hawk softball coach and Mid-Prairie alum Amy Hartsock-Williams will again be in the dugout to lead the Hawks. Harstock-Williams, a 1988 Golden Hawk alum, was an all-state pitcher during her time at Mid-Prairie. She went on to a career at the University of Iowa that saw her recognized as a Second Team All-Big Ten Selection. Once her time on the diamond as a player wrapped up, she made the move to the dugout as a coach, taking the reigns of the Golden Hawk program in 1997 and continuing as head coach through the end of the 2009 season. Under Hartsock-Williams direction, the Hawks had 13 straight winning years and qualified for state in Fort Dodge four times, 1998, 2005, 2006 and 2008 with 17 individual All-State selections. Hartsock-Williams spoke with KCII sports about her love of the Mid-Prairie program, why the timing fits to return and what has her excited about the upcoming season. “Mid-Prairie is the only play I’ve ever wanted to coach high school softball. I grew up here. When I had my children I moved back here because I enjoyed my experience so much that I wanted them to be in the same place. I love mostly the teaching of the game. It’s not the actual game, it’s the practices that I love. Educating. My kids are out of high school and in college so this summer I have a lot of free time and I really miss teaching the game. So far what I have seen out of the current girls in the program is that they are really wanting to make this a successful program. They love the game. They look like they really want to learn. They are soaking up everything. They are athletic. The talent is there.”

Mid-Prairie finished last year with a 10-30 record, 7-12 in the River Valley South Division. They return eight of their nine top hitters by average including RBI leader Katelyn Schneider, and overall hits and runs leader Dakota Mitchell. They will have to replace top pitcher and graduated senior Myah Lugar who posted seven wins in the circle last season. The Hawks open the year May 23rd when they host West Branch.