Bethel High School freshman Preslie Nelson is stepping into her first varsity softball season with a clear sense of who she is as a player and teammate — competitive, hardworking and deeply connected to the people around her.
Nelson splits time between outfield and pitcher, and she said the relationships she has built with her teammates are what make the sport meaningful to her. “What I love most about my team is the bond we have with each other. We’re more than just teammates. We support each other, push each other to get better, and always have each other’s backs,” Nelson said.
That bond extends beyond the softball field. Nelson also plays basketball at Bethel, and many of her closest teammates have been alongside her in both sports since childhood. “I would have to say my freshman teammates. A lot of us have grown up playing softball and basketball together, and over the years we have become more than just teammates, we’ve become a family. We push each other to work harder, pick each other up when things don’t go our way and celebrate each other’s successes,” Nelson said.
Heading into her first varsity season, Nelson has spent the summer focused on strength and skill development. “Summer workouts have gone really well. I’ve been working hard on getting stronger, improving different parts of my game, and preparing myself for the season ahead. I’m really excited about the potential our team has this year,” Nelson said.
Nelson credits last season with teaching her how to handle adversity, a lesson she said will carry into this year’s competition. “One of the biggest lessons I learned last year is that you can’t let one bad play, one bad at bat, or one tough game affect what you do next. Softball is a game of ups and downs, and I learned how important it is to stay confident, trust the work I’ve put in and keep competing,” Nelson said.
She pointed to her competitiveness as her defining trait on the field, while identifying consistency as her primary area for growth. “I think one of my biggest strengths of my game is my competitiveness. I always want to make a difference for my team, whether that’s at the plate, in the field, or by encouraging my teammates. One thing I’m always working to improve is being more consistent in every part of my game to become a more complete player,” Nelson said.
Beyond softball, Nelson said her family, coaches and teammates continue to push her to work hard and stay positive, and she hopes to become a special education therapist after graduation.
