State champion Woodland plans to focus first on softball regular season

While the Heritage softball team went from who-is-that status to state runner-up, the Woodland Beavers last year knew all along they were good enough to go the distance.

Then they went out and proved it, taking home the Class 2A state title.

The Beavers lost one senior off of that squad, so naturally, expectations are high. With ace Emily Holt — who has signed with Nebraska — back in the pitcher’s circle, well, it’s easy to see why some are predicting a repeat.

“I sort of cringe when people say that,” Woodland coach Damon Yeo said. “I know everybody’s going to be gunnin’ for us. It does add that extra pressure. No doubt about that. We just have to focus. We just gotta do what we do. If we give it everything we’ve got, we’ll have a chance.”

As the coach, it is Yeo’s job to first prepare the Beavers for the regular season and then the district tournament.

“Only three teams go to state out of our district (this season),” Yeo said.

It is easily the most competitive district in the state, as well. The first, third-, and fourth-place teams at state last season all reside in District 4.

“We’re going to have to work harder than ever just to have a chance to go to state,” Yeo said. “We need to get through (district) to get to state. That’s going to be the hard part.”

Early this season, the Beavers have lost to perennial power Prairie but then beat last year’s 4A state champion Kelso.

Yeo said he does not mind losses in the non-league schedule. It helps his players realize what needs to be done.

“I’ve told the girls we can’t just assume we’re going to even go back to state,” Yeo said. “It’s super hard to go to state twice, let alone win the darn thing twice.”