Catoosa’s Jaidyn Swarer
Making the transition into school ball as a freshman is easier these days thanks to many of the players being involved in club ball. Catoosa freshman Jaidyn Swarer is no different.
“I play for Pryme 2010 Sherill, with coaches Kevin Sherill, Brent Dugger, and Chris Holsen. This gets me playing and seeing competition all year and not just during the school ball season. This keeps my playing and hitting abilities more consistent as well as being able to handle all the games,” said Swarer.
There are always adjustments and making those adjustments will help a freshman player become more adapted to the style of play at the varsity level.
“For varsity, I believe my biggest adjustment will have to be with pitching, both behind the plate and at the plate. Since some of the girls I will now be playing with are older than I’ve seen before, meaning faster pitches and more consistent movement on the ball,” said Swarer.
Swarer’s involvement in school activities is not limited to softball. She will serve as a manager on the baseball team, and she will likely join National Honor Society this year.
The catcher said she finds inspiration in her family, and she wears the number 18 for a special reason.
“My Papa inspires me to play. He has always been the one to help me on and off the field with anything I need, without him, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Swarer said. “I prefer to wear number 18, I wear this number because of my mother. She passed earlier this year in January, she was a police Captain at our Police Department in Catoosa and her badge number was 18.”
Like most players, Swarer has a few superstitions or routines she likes to follow.
“I never untie and retie my shoes unless I have no other choice. I believe this helps keep me loose and helps to keep me playing the same because all my plays are in one tie. I also try to do a different hairstyle each day of a tournament so I don’t develop a ‘lucky’ hairstyle so I can continue enjoying doing my hair differently before games,” said Swarer.
