Head Softball Coach Henry Christowski picked up his 500th career win last week with a sweep of conference foe, University of Dubuque. Christowksi’s success at Simpson goes far beyond his win column, however, and has held Simpson Softball to prominence for 16 years.

“Coach C. really deserves [this honor],” sophomore Tieryn Potratz said. “He’s made us who we are as a team, and he’s taught us sportsmanship and kept us humble.”

Christowski has been leading the Storm softball team for over a decade, earning a 502-149 record after sweeping Loras last weekend, two national championships, five IIAC championships, eight NCAA tournament appearances and three IIAC Coach of the Year awards.

The now-successful college coach started his career coaching at the high school level at Norwalk before moving on to Dowling Catholic and eventually Simpson.

“It’s a nice honor, but not too significant in looking at the big picture,” Christowski said.

Christowski’s last national championship came back in 1999. However, the Storm has recently been lifted back to prominence thanks to strong pitching, solid leadership and noisy bats. The late 90s was marked by the pitching dominance of all-American Kelly Schade while this group of girls may be remembered for another reason.

According to Christowski, this year’s team is unlike any other he’s ever had.

“One of the best qualities of this group is that they’re willing to do [what is] necessary for the team,” Christowski said. “We have two players that are in the same positions as last year.”

Those qualities can be seen each time Simpson takes the field.

Potratz started at first base for the Storm last season, put time in at center field earlier this year and currently finds herself starting at short stop. Junior Keri Sorenson is holding down second base duties after starting at short stop for two years, and junior Veronica Roshek has claimed the left field job.

“There aren’t any big egos,” Christowski said. “We have a lot of young players that are contributing.”

Roshek is leading the team at .444 with 40 hits and 10 doubles while Potratz is boasting 13 home runs with 33 RBIs with many games left in the season. Senior catcher Allie Hock is also near the top with 36 hits and 18 RBIs.

After coaching against teams in the IIAC for many years, Christowski said that he is not usually

According to Christowski, the girls are showing up and doing their jobs day-in and day-out, helping the team win and putting the team before themselves.

Much like Christowski has been doing at Simpson for 16 years.