Kutztown senior signs to play softball for Lock Haven

Kutztown High School senior Jodi Weaknecht signed her letter-of-intent Nov. 16 amid family, friends and faculty in Kutztown High School’s library. She was offered a scholarship to play softball at Lock Haven University.

“I feel it was an honor to be able to have an offer to play somewhere, makes you feel you’ll be a good fit to play there,” said Weaknecht.

Weaknecht is a multi-sport athlete, playing field hockey and softball at Kutztown.

“She’s very talented in both those sports,” said Mic O’Niel, athletic director. “She’s a great role model for our younger kids... very coachable. A coach would like to have nine players out there just like her.”

Last spring, the Kutztown softball team was district champions.

“And she was a big part of that,” said O’Neil.

Weaknecht was on third base and pitched. Her batting average was 620.

The significance of Weaknecht receiving the scholarship to play softball at Lock Haven is “huge,” said O’Neil. “It gives her a chance to further her education while playing a sport she loves.”

Kutztown High School Principal Rebecca Beidelman said Weaknecht is a “phenomenal player, great kid and a phenomenal example for our students.”

“I started playing t-ball at age 5 and it’s something I have a passion for,” Weaknecht said, liking that it’s a mix of a team sport and an individual sport.

Her favorite part of softball is hitting because “when you’re hitting, you have the ability to change the game yourself. It’s your time to make things happen.”

When batting she feels focused.

“You have to be focused and I feel like it’s time to center in and make things happen,” Weaknecht said.

“It’s great that she has the opportunity to go on to further her softball at college,” said Bonnie Weaknecht, Jodi’s mom. “It’s an honor.”

Jodi is currently undecided about her major, but hopes to study a field in the health sciences, possibly looking at becoming a physician’s assistant.