VALDERS — Megan Hochkammer has given everything she’s had to Valders over the past four years.
A standout volleyball, basketball and softball player, Hochkammer, though, knows her time is coming to a close.
“I played my other two sports and it really stung when they ended so I want to push through and make it the best it can be,” Hochkammer said.
The Vikings, currently ranked No. 10 in Division 3, made the state tournament for the first time in program history last season and Hochkammer says the team wants to make it again.
“Representing Valders with my teammates, a lot of us play three sports and knowing they want it just as much as I do,” Hochkammer said.
It helps she is quite possibly the greatest player to ever play for Valders according to coach Steve Dietrich.
Hochkammer owns the program records for wins, home runs and RBIs.
“She’s going to be one the best softball players to come out of Valders,” Dietrich said. “There’s not a lot she hasn’t done these last four years.”
The senior has pitched 92 innings and sports a 1.37 earned run average in the circle while leading the team with a .488 batting average, four home runs, 17 RBIs and 22 runs through May 5.
It’s been a steady evolution from starting shortstop as a freshman to ace pitcher the past three years.
“When she was a freshman, you knew she was a good ball player and then each year she just got better,” Dietrich said. “I wish I had 10, 11 girls like her but it doesn’t work that way.”
Hochkammer says there’s nothing fancy about how she improved, just putting in the work every winter.
“You never stop, just keep working,” Hochkammer said. “You put in the work and get the results in return.”
That type of work ethic is infectious says Dietrich.
“She takes the bull by the horns, she’s a leader,” Dietrich said. “On the defensive side, the offensive side. One of the first ones at the diamond and one of the last ones to leave.”
And while her skills on the diamond have grown, Hochkammer feels her biggest growth has come as a leader.
“Definitely as a leader,” Hochkammer said. “Being able to be a big leader and advocate for the younger ones, being able to push them to be their best.”
If there was one lesson she could impart on future players, it’s what she would tell her own younger self.
“Play every ball like its your last,” Hochkammer said.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Valders 3-sport standout Megan Hochkammer contemplates legacy
Reporting by Tom Dombeck, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
