Staff photo / Neel Madhavan Champion’s Gabby Gradishar throws a pitch against Austintown Fitch earlier this season. Gradishar, a sophomore, returned to the field this season after tearing her ACL and meniscus during basketball last year.

CHAMPION — Another chapter for Champion’s softball program is upon us.

Gabby Gradishar, Bella Meyer, and Addie Warzala highlight a strong Golden Flashes roster as they aim to make another push toward Akron.

But they still need to assemble the pieces.

With talented players still finding their roles, the Flashes aren’t making travel arrangements for the beginning of June just yet. While obviously wanting to bring home the program’s 10th state title and first since 2019, that’s the final step of a multi-step process.

Under coach Cheryl Weaver, Champion hasn’t been known to skip those steps.

“I really believe in these young ladies. I think the biggest thing is, I want us to work on keeping our errors down because we have so many new young players that haven’t played at this level, so it’s keeping their confidence up and believing that they can do it,” Weaver said. “My goals are let’s win the league first, and then let’s look ahead. I think the more they play together, it’s going to work out. I’m not going to say the goal is state or regionals. I’m saying we’re just going to try to stay on the ladder and take one step at a time.”

Like always, the Flashes have a murderers row of a nonconference schedule.

This year might be the toughest.

Five of the team’s nonconference games are against teams that have been to Akron for the state tournament in the last three years. Austintown Fitch (2023 Division I state champions), Massillon Perry (2021 Division I state champions), Canfield (2023 Division II state runners up), Tallmadge (2023 Division II state champions), and North Canton Hoover (2022 Division I state final four) are all scheduled to take on the Flashes.

With games like that, it could be easy to look past a supposed “easy team”, but the mantra Weaver has instilled in the kids is “respect all, fear none.”

Even if it’s not one of the top dogs on the slate, Weaver wants her girls to play the same.

Other teams of note on Champion’s schedule this year include Toledo Whitmer, Walsh Jesuit, Lakeview, and McDonald in addition to the always scrappy league games.

Having a true ace is such a difference-maker in high school softball, and the Flashes have one of the best in Gradishar.

Boasting a 0.94 ERA, 249 strikeouts compared to just 70 hits, the Penn State commit will handle most of the workload in the circle this season.

Warzala returns to her spot behind the plate. Her and Gradishar have a built-in chemistry from years of playing travel ball together.

Meyer returns to anchor the infield at shortstop, with Hailey Householder occupying the first base spot at times, moving over from third. Taking the third base role will be Grace Hadley.

In the outfield, Sam Strock, who returns to her home district, will see significant time. With her speed, expect to see her utilized multiple ways. Householder, Maddison Sylvester and Mia Nadaud, a senior making her softball debut, are other names to watch out for this season.

The upperclassmen on the roster have done some great work in picking the younger players up. Weaver has noticed a strong bond forming quickly, which can only pay dividends. While the team may have some confidence issues early on as younger players find their place, the growing bond is going to help grow that confidence earlier than normal.

“I believe the way right now, how they get along, they seem to gel,” Weaver said. “Right now I think that is the key, and they’re always picking each other up. Complimenting them during practice if they hit the ball well or no matter what they seem like they’re always cheering each other on and that’s a big thing and that gives the younger girls more confidence. Because when the older girls are telling you that, you start to believe it.”

Champion’s season begins on Monday with a league contest against LaBrae.

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