Sports

Logos photo by Morgan Muhlenbruch NIACC softball player, Jenny Tweed, went from helping to coach the team to competing for the Trojans when she couldn’t resist the urge to play again.

From coach to player

After a year of coaching, Tweed decides to play again

Cassie Christianson
Staff Reporter

Jenny Tweed, originally from Woden, Iowa, plays on the NIACC softball team; however, her path to becoming part of the team is unique.

Tweed came to NIACC three years ago to play basketball.

“I considered playing basketball and softball, but decided I wanted to focus solely on basketball,” Tweed said.

Head softball coach Tyler Sisco understood this and asked Tweed to help coach the softball team.

Sisco said he had an opening come up in late summer for an assistant coach and had taught Tweed in a coaching class over the summer, presenting a perfect opportunity.

Tweed coached alongside Sisco for a season then decided that she wanted to get back into playing.

Tweed said when she asked Sisco if she could be on the team the following year, he agreed to the move.

“It’s great having Tweed on the team, like having an extra coach who just has to wear a uniform,” Sisco said.

Sisco said that Tweed is a leader on the team. Others see the hard work and dedication she puts in and follow by example.

She is able to put things in a different perspective, a trait picked up through coaching.

There are multiple things that make Tweed stand out on the team.

“Tweed is defensively one of the better outfielders I’ve coached,” Sisco said. “She is savvy and reads the ball well, not to mention her great arm.”

Offensively, Tweed is a power hitter, batting in the middle of the lineup.

As a base runner, she is smart and is good at getting extra bases.

“My goal is just to get better every game,” Tweed said.

Tweed grew up around softball, starting at a young age playing T-ball. She’s been playing outfield most of her career, playing some center field in high school.

“Softball is just fun in general,” Tweed said about her favorite aspect of the game.

She said a highlight of her seasons has been the spring break trips. This year the softball team traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Tweed said it’s a great experience and it gives players a different perspective and chance for new competition.

Tweed, majoring in sports management, would like to be a coach again in the future. She said she is hoping to continue playing softball next year.