SOFTBALL

Senior spotlight: Greenwood's Kaylee Learman healthy and looking to build off junior year

Tim Johnson
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

GREENWOOD — Kaylee Learman had one of the top high school softball seasons in the state last season. For that, she was tabbed the Division 5 Player of the Year by the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association. 

Greenwood's Kaylee Learman had a batting average of over .700 last season as she was named the Division 5 softball player of the year by the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association.

Equally remarkable has been the journey back to the softball field this year for the Greenwood senior. 

Learman joined her teammates for the opening day of practice March 12, just over six months after she had surgery to repair a torn ligament in her left knee. She suffered the injury during Greenwood's first volleyball scrimmage and sidelined her for the rest of the fall and her basketball season as well. 

The reigning Cloverbelt Conference East Division player of the year is back after a season in which she had a .727 batting average and 53 RBI while also compiling a 2.52 earned run average and 13 wins as a pitcher/infielder for Greenwood. 

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After graduation, Learman is headed to Carroll University in Waukesha, where she will play softball and study sports medicine. She recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about the recovery from her injury, her junior season and also her love for all things University of Michigan. 

Do you have a nickname that your friends, teammates of family members call you?

They call me Learman. When I was a freshman, there was another Kaylee (on the team) who was older. They always called her Kaylee and I got Learman. 

What has been the most memorable moment or favorite of your sports career?

Beating Neillsville last year (in softball). They are one of our rivals and we beat them at Neillsville, so that was even better. 

Who is your celebrity crush.?

(Atlanta Braves shortstop) Dansby Swanson. 

So is Atlanta your favorite team, too?

For baseball, yes. I kind of have one for each sport. My go-to however is the Michigan Wolverines. That is my favorite all-time. I kind of gravitated toward (Michigan) a long time ago and I even have a decked-out Michigan (themed) room and a whole bunch of Michigan clothes, too. 

Are you superstitious? Do you have any pregame rituals?

Last year playing for Marshfield Fastpitch (in the summer) we always had a big bag of Swedish Fish in the dugout. So I always eat a couple Swedish Fish now before every game. 

Looking back at last spring, what was it like to have a softball season like that?

It was unbelieveable. I didn't really think I was doing that well and then all of a sudden I started getting all of these awards. I had a lot of help from my teammates. They made me better in the gym and the weight room. I owe it to them for pushing me. 

What was the feeling of being named the top Division 5 player in the state?

It was a surprise. One of the coaches who was recruiting me said, 'Congratulations on being the Division 5 player of the year.' I was like, 'What?' So I went and looked it up and saw I had won the award. I had no idea 

Do you feel any extra pressure given what you accomplished last year?

I definitely feel that (attitude of) people want me to repeat that now and given all the success I had hitting-wise, (teams) are not going to pitch to me now. When I do get the opportunity (to hit), I have to come through. There is a little extra pressure given that it's my senior year. 

Did you have any thoughts that you might not be back after the injury?

I was a little worried about it when it first happened. But then people kept telling me about all these professional athletes who have come back (from the injury). My doctor kept telling me I was young and nothing had happened to me before, so he projected that I would be fine. I had surgery the first week of school and then went to physical therapy for six months and was weight lifting every day. Now here I am. 

Greenwood reached the regional final last year. What do you like about this year's team and its potential?

We only lost two girls (from last year) and have a lot of talent coming back. We also have a lot of freshmen who are very promising, too. 

 

 

FAVORITES

 

Sport: Softball

College or pro athlete: (Former Michigan softball player) Sierra Romero. 

Movie: "Remember the Titans"

Music: I like all type of things.  Probably "Today's Hits" (channel) might be my go-to.

Food or meal: Spaghetti or boneless chicken wings.