Warrenton senior Makayla Witthaus learned a harsh lesson this season, but it’s a valuable one she’ll take, she said.

After suffering a season-ending injury, where she broke her non-throwing wrist after colliding with a fence in early September, Witthaus’ focus shifted from bashing to building.

After getting off to a .500 start at the plate, Witthaus suffered the injury, and she looks back on the premature end of her final high school season with a sense of realism.

“This season has taught me that everything happens for a reason and to see the game from a different perspective,” Witthaus said. “It also taught me not to dive into a fence.”

While Witthaus’ .500 batting average, two doubles, three home runs and seven RBI were once again good enough to earn her a spot on the GAC North all-conference first team, it’s the intangibles she provided after her injury that made her most valuable, Warriors’ coach Chad Berrey said. 

“Being a great and talented player is one thing, but being a great teammate puts you over the top,” Berrey said. “Makayla was a perfect example of what we coaches want in an athlete. She played her heart out when she was healthy, and when sidelined by injury, she did not miss a practice or game. She kept showing up to help out where she could and cheer for her teammates. Her legacy in our program will be more than just her talent; she will definitely be missed.”

Berrey added that it’s not just crucial that Witthaus showed up for her team, it’s also important to note how she showed up for every member of the Warrenton squad, regardless of age.

The coach said listing the important attributes Witthaus possesses would be just like providing a list of her athletic and academic talents.

It might take some time.

“To describe Makayla as a person in a short blurb is tough,” Berrey said. “There are so many things that have led her to being the leader and the person she is today. She was a great leader for our program this year; she led by example, through her words of encouragement, and did not shy away from tough conversations with teammates when warranted. She is a true student-athlete. She gets it done in the classroom, on the field, and when she is in public.”

Berrey added that he was happy to see his fellow conference coaches recognize the overall impact Witthaus – a four-year varsity starter – made on the Warrenton program, specifically, and on the GAC and area softball, in general.

“Makayla has had a very decorated and impressive high school softball career,” Berrey said. “It is not like she has had one good year to earn this award. She has demonstrated that she is and has been one of the top softball players in the conference for the past four years. Even though she only played one-third of the season, the other coaches in the conference recognized that she absolutely deserves this honor for what she did this year and the years past.” 

Witthaus, who will attend Maryville University to pursue a degree in elementary education and continue her softball career, said she knows that earning this honor, based on less than half a season’s work, has made an otherwise forgettable season special.

“This is a bigger honor this year than in years past because I was unable to play a majority of the season due to an injury,” she said. “This means more to me knowing that my ability on the field made an impact on coaches as well as my attitude.” 

That positive attitude translated to her teammates, Witthaus said. Even though the Warriors won just one game, the team atmosphere of continual learning and effort never waned.

“My teammates always showed up, even when they didn’t have the best day,” Witthaus said. “They worked hard and never gave up.”