Pollard elevated to head softball coach at NICC
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PEOSTA -- The Northeast Iowa Community College softball team wrapped up its first competitive season this spring with a 24-32 record, and head coach Nick Weinmeister handed all that forward momentum to a former Bobcat.
Marshalltown High School graduate Kailee Pollard, an assistant under Weinmeister, has been named the new head coach of the Cougars going into Year 2.
“A big reason why we had such a successful year one was because of Coach Pollard,” Weinmeister said. “She brings a passion for the game that you have to have as a head coach if you want to make it a career. She also has genuine care for the softball student-athletes and their well-being.”
Pollard was a key part of the coaching staff last year, focusing heavily on the pitching rotation. Under her tutelage, pitchers tallied a 5.65 earned run average and struck out 260 opposing batters in 332 2/3 innings pitched.
Pollard, a 2021 MHS graduate, was a five-year letterwinner and two-time all-conference performer with the Bobcats before pitching for two seasons at Central Community College in Columbus, Neb. She earned Pitcher of the Year honors for the Raiders, who were regional champions twice.
Pollard then played for Weinmeister at the University of Minnesota Crookston before getting into the coaching business, serving as an assistant at Marshalltown High School.
“(Weinmeister) taught me the importance of building relationships, holding athletes accountable and creating a culture where people genuinely want to be their best,” Pollard said. “While every coach develops their own style, the lessons I learned from him have prepared me for this opportunity. I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned from him and am excited to continue building on the foundation we established together.”
Northeast Iowa plays its home softball games in Farley, which is 10 miles east of the campus in Peosta. The Cougars are members of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference alongside Marshalltown Community College.
There is sure to be a learning curve for the first-time head coach, but Pollard has goals she wants to accomplish.
“I want to see us take another step competitively by playing more consistent softball, competing for conference wins and putting ourselves in a position to be successful throughout the season,” she said. “Beyond wins and losses, I want NICC to be a place where student-athletes can achieve their own goals. I want us to be known as a team that plays hard, competes every inning and represents NICC with pride.”