MONTICELLO — Despite just its third year of existence, the Monticello-New Glarus co-op is already seeing its hard work pay off. 

In their first year, the Ponies were just 1-19 overall. Last year, they recorded three wins with a sweep of conference opponent Black Hawk and a 12-9 victory over Belleville. 

“We want to continue to build off last season,” second-year head coach Mitchell Cernek said. “One of our goals last year was to improve in the Six Rivers East Conference standings. We moved up from sixth (last) in 2021 to fifth in 2022. We hope to take that another step forward in 2023.”

Although the team will miss Katelyn Eyler — an Honorable Mention outfielder — and Kylie Liegel — who led the team with 8 RBIs — it returns nine letter winners from a season ago.

Sophomore Dalana Trumpy was the second All-Conference selection for Monticello-New Glarus in 2022 as the team’s catcher. She hit at a .275 clip with a .413 slugging percentage. While Trumpy can hit for power, she is also quick on the base paths with 22 stolen bases. In the summer, Trumpy plays for the Thunder Stix.

“We have some talented young players and some upperclassmen that are invested in the team,” Cernek said. “Several girls participated in the Monroe Summer League, and a few others have played quite a bit of club softball in the offseason. We are hoping that experience pays off.”

Junior Veronica Tollakson, sophomore Karlee Wilkins and senior Grace Seffrood also contributed to the offense. Tollakson, a first baseman or outfielder, led the team with a .286 batting average. Karlee Wilkins smacked five doubles with eight RBIs, both of which were a team-best. Meanwhile, Seffrood recorded a .318 on-base percentage.

Defensively, junior Jaden Zuber and sophomore Tatum O’Bel split innings on the mound. O’Bel pitched 46 1/3 innings with a 1-3 record. Zuber, who recorded 31 2/3 innings pitched, struck out 23 batters.

Other returners include juniors Megan Peterson, a utility player, Melanie Fink, who can play the middle infield, and sophomore infielder Sadie Wilkins.

Freshman Molly Olson is new to the program this year, but Cernek already believes she could contribute at the varsity level.

With a near perfect mix of Monticello and New Glarus players, Cernek hopes the team can improve not only on the field, but off the field to blend as one team.

“We want to continue to build a program where our girls work hard to reach their potential individually and collectively,” Cernek said. “We also want them to build friendships and make connections with each other along the way.”

The Ponies face stiff competition in the Six Rivers East, as the conference has sent a team to state three of the last six years: Barneveld in 2022 and Juda-Albany in 2021 and 2017. 

Cernek still believes those programs to be top contenders for the title in 2023, as well as Pecatonica and Argyle. All teams have “veteran coaches” and made deep postseason runs last season.