Tahlequah softball player Jersey Retzloff wants to make memories in her senior year.
“What I’m really looking forward to this year in the season is just being able to make memories with my teammates, who I’ve grown to call my family, for my last year here in high school on and off the field,” Retzloff said. Winning games and losing games, I will always cherish those memories.”
Retzloff has been a constant for the Lady Tigers since her freshman year. She hit .304 last year and had a .933 fielding percentage while splitting time between right field and catcher.
Her primary goals are to continue on to college, being a leader and having fun. She also wants to return to the state tournament and hopes to advance beyond the quarterfinal round.
“I definitely want to be furthering my education at a college that I would love to play for, being a leader, and most importantly to have fun and keep a good attitude through the season,” Retzloff said.
“As a team, I hope to see us all grow to be a better person/teammate. I also would love to see us make it to state and make it past the first round.”
Retzloff will see more time behind the plate in 2023, and she feels that’s where she’s made the biggest improvements.
“Where I feel like I’ve improved most going into the year would be on the defensive end. I’ve gotten to experience and play in a number of different positions, and this has given me more confidence in the spots that I love to play most,” she said. “I would also say that I’ve improved my mentality about the whole game and not letting things affect me and my ability to play.”
Earning a bid to play in last year’s Class 5A State Tournament stands out as a peak moment for Retzloff, who has also excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and is in her fourth year as a member of the National Honor Society.
“As we made the last out to win, we all gathered around and we all had our waters and just threw it up in the air and cheered. I definitely came out of the huddle drenched in water but it was so worth it. We were so excited and blessed to be able to go to state that year,” she said.
Retzloff’s family and coaches have been the biggest contributors to help her get where she is today.
“My parents and grandparents are always there supporting me and cheering me on. They always tell me where there is room for improvement, alongside congratulating me even for the little things,” Retzloff said.
“Coach Ray has had a big influence on me as a player as well. He can be hard on you sometimes but it’s only to make you better in the end. I think they are the ones that have pushed me to become the player I am.”
Following high school, Retzloff has plans to work in marine biology, and she would love to travel and see what’s outside of Oklahoma.
