After a long preseason and months of a big belly, head softball coach Jennifer Rigdon gave birth to her first child, just in time for the beginning of the Wildcats’ season.
Rigdon, along with her husband Jarod, welcomed Kole Edward into the world on Dec. 22, 2006.
After recovering from the flu, Rigdon began bringing her newborn to early-morning practices throughout interterm.
Student assistant Jade Geuther, who finished her eligibility last season, was able to cover for Rigdon while she was ill.
“Coach and Kole caught the flu the first week, so I was running practices,” Geuther said. “It’s weird because I still have that team bond with the girls, then at practices I have to be the coach. They responded very well to me, though, and did as I asked.”
Along with Geuther, Rigdon said she will also depend on the help of graduate assistant Emily Grabner.
“It’s going to be challenging having to be gone so much,” Rigdon said. “But with the team I have and my coaching staff, I’m sure we’ll be able to adjust.”
Freshman Kelsey Epperson said even though Rigdon had her baby so close to season, she is still committed to coaching her young team.
“We started conditioning two weeks ago, and Coach would bring her baby in for some of the morning,” Epperson said. “So I think commitment-wise there’s no question there will be no issues. We’re all excited for her, and I don’t think it will take anything away from the team.”
Even with a new baby in her arms, Rigdon is still planning on carrying out all of her coaching duties.
“I’m going to have two college students come and take care of him while we’re gone,” Rigdon said. “Basically, I plan on being there just like I normally would.”
With two seniors returning and seven returnees all together, Geuther said the team needs to start getting adjusted to the pace of college athletics.
“We are young, and we don’t have experience,” Geuther said. “Right now we have to get the girls to realize this is a different level than high school. Our offense will be our strength. We can all hit pretty well, and we’ll put a lot of runs on the board.”
After the loss of senior Jana Smith to nursing school and the unannounced absence of Lindsey Lantau, Rigdon said the team might struggle in the pitching area. Two freshmen may be called upon to handle the load, while senior Kendra Cody may be pulled out to the mound as well.
Epperson said even with a young team, the Wildcats should be strong in all areas.
“We’ll have a really strong team this year, especially with the upperclassman leadership,” Epperson said. “I’m anxious and nervous at the same time, especially because everything’s new and at a totally different level.”
Even with the small weakness of inexperienced pitching, Rigdon said the team should place in the top three again this season.
“We’ve been pretty much in the top three the past years I’ve been here, and I can see us back up in the top three or four this year,” Rigdon said.
Rigdon said she will be looking to her two seniors, Cody and Leslie Kersting to lead the team through the season.
“I will be looking to those two for leadership and motivation,” Rigdon said.
The Wildcats open their season on Feb. 21 at home.