Morgan Township’s Emmy Wells considered other Missouri Valley Conference schools.
Ivy League schools, too.
But ultimately, Northern Iowa stood out for the junior catcher, who verbally committed in the fall.
“The coaching staff at UNI really made me feel wanted,” Wells said. “It just felt right. I liked the team. I liked the coaches. It’s just a really tight community there — it’s like a home.”
Wells consistently impresses Morgan Township coach Bob Madden with her ability, diligence and maturity. With the way she’s performed for the Cherokees, he’s not surprised she will compete at the Division I level.
“It may happen a lot at bigger schools, but it’s a rarity from what I’ve experienced here,” Madden said.
Wells has shined in each of her first two seasons at Morgan Township — a key part of the team’s considerable success.
She hit .471 with five homers and 33 RBIs last season after batting .646 with six homers and 43 RBIs as a freshman.
As she becomes an upperclassman, Wells aims to take another step.
“My goals in high school are always to work on my craft and get better,” Wells said. “I like to use it as an opportunity to try things I can’t try in travel ball, push myself to really be aggressive hitting-wise.
“I’ve gotten better catching. I’ve worked on my arm strength — knocked it up from 65 to 69 (mph) I was clocked at. Hitting-wise, I want to work on my pitch selection. My hitting coach always says, ‘You have a ton of power. The only person who can get you out is yourself.’ That’s my goal — just be smart, make the right choices.”
Wells’ choices have helped Morgan Township earn multiple championships.
In 2017, the Cherokees won their first regional title since 2000. Last season, they won their first Porter County Conference regular-season title since 2000, ending Boone Grove’s run of four straight.
But Morgan Township lost to the Wolves in the PCC Tournament final, and were stunned by Washington Township in a sectional final.
The Cherokees’ 3-2 loss to the Senators denied them a third straight sectional championship, and came after Morgan Township had beaten Washington Township 24-4 in five innings in PCC round-robin play.
Morgan Township, which is tied for fifth in the Class A preseason coaches poll, has tried to turn last season’s ending into a positive.
“It’s just an eye-opener,” Wells said. “Anybody can win on any given day and we can’t take anything for granted.
“The seniors are definitely pushing that this year because they want to go out with a bang. They want to play every game like it’s their last and make sure they make the most of every second on the field.”
Wells has contributed to that sense of urgency.
“She’s really taken that leadership role to heart,” Madden said. “All the girls look up to her and respect her because of her talent and what she’s accomplished. Her attitude shows through. She puts in the work.”
Wells also praised her teammates’ dedication.
“I want to set a good example for the younger girls so they can enjoy high school softball as much as I do,” Wells said.
Wells, also a basketball standout, thanked her coaches and teachers for their help and support. She had special words for one particular teacher — her mother, Heather, a second-grade teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Valparaiso.
“She’ll take me into the gym any hour of the night,” Emmy Wells said. “She’ll be tired and she still takes me. She really sacrifices a lot.”
