Wasilla softball standout to play for Oregon college

WASILLA — Four years ago when Jewel Fleckenstein entered the Wasilla High School softball program as a freshman, it didn’t take long for Warriors head coach Tyler Gilligan to see Fleckenstein’s potential.

Now a senior, Fleckenstein is realizing that potential.

Fleckenstein officially committed to play college softball at Williamette University in Salem, Oregon, during a ceremony May 2 at Wasilla High School.

“We’re ecstatic for her,” Gilligan said. “It’s a dream come true for her for sure.”

Fleckenstein, a four-year starter, has helped the Warriors win three Railbelt Conference titles.

“She’s always been impressive athletically,” Gilligan said.

When Fleckenstein was a freshman, Gilligan said there players arguably more qualified to start, but she earned the job at second base. Her drive and work ethic pushed her into the starting lineup, Gilligan said.

“She’s driven. She loves the game,” Gilligan said. “You say jump, she says how high.”

Gilligan said that drive has fueled Fleckenstein throughout her high school career.

“Her full focus is on softball and academics,” Gilligan said.

Fleckenstein has started the last three seasons at shortstop. Fleckenstein said that is where Williamette expects her to play at the college level.

Fleckenstein grew up on the softball diamond, beginging as a young player in the Palmer Little League. She’s also played for the Arctic Storm and is now also a member of the Alaska Selects program. Fleckenstein said she started to really think about the chance to play at the college level during her freshman year of high school. She said the encouragement from all of her coaches gave her the confidence. The chance to venture out of Alaska to play in tournaments with the Storm was also a big help, she said.

Fleckenstein said she considered other schools in Williamette’s conference, the Division III Northwest Conference.

“It came down to where I fit best,” Fleckenstein said.

Fleckenstein will study exercise science in college.

“I’m very excited. I’m very passionate about it,” Fleckenstein said. “The human body has always fascinated me.”

Fleckenstein was one of 11 Wasilla High senior athletes recognized during the school’s annual signing ceremony. The group also includes Taylon Ottinger, Kyle Graham and Austin Robertson, who will play baseball at Dillon College; Reilly Devine, who will play men’s basketball at Mount Marty College; Christion Alexander, who will wrestle at Grey’s Harbor;

Azlyn Brandbenburg, who will play women’s basketball at Colorado Mesa; football players TJ Laumatia (Allen Hancock College); Aeron Milliron (Montana Western); Sean McDermott (Culver Stockton) and Thomas Rivera (Trinity Bible College).

For more on Ottinger, Graham, Robertson, Alexander, Devine, Brandenburg, Laumatia, Milliron, McDermott and Rivera, see stories about their commitments at frontiersman.com/sports.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.