IGHSAU Softball Hall of Fame (click to 7:00)

La Crosse, Wis. - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse assistant softball coach Caitlin Wnek is set to be inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's (IGHSAU) Softball Hall of Fame prior to the start of the Class 4A State Championship game on Thursday, July 30 at the IGHSAU State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge, Iowa.   

Wnek (Clear Creek Amana) joins Jodi Christensen (North Polk), Erin Doud (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) and Jordan Gronewold (Carlisle) in the 2020 induction class.  

"It's an honor being inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame and to be recognized with the best players in the state," said Wnek.  "I am proud to represent my family, teammates, coaches and the Clear Creek Amana community. Softball is my passion and I'm glad I get to do what I love every day.  I was fortunate enough to play for a great high school and collegiate program."

Wnek was a three-time first team all-state selection at Clear Creek Amana High School in Tiffin, Iowa.  Wnek played on the 2009 and 2011 state championship teams for the Clippers.  Named the Class 3A Co-Player of the Year as a junior, she hit .625 with a state-best 85 runs batted in in helping Clear Creek Amana to the first undefeated summer softball season in Iowa in 44 years.  Wnek was named to two all-state tournament teams. 

She starts her third season as a assistant softball coach at UW-La Crosse in 2020-21.  Wnek also serves as a facilities and events coordinator for the athletics department.  Wnek helped lead UWL to its first-ever appearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Super Regional in 2019.  The Eagles finished 29-20 overall and won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship in 2019, securing the league's automatic bid to the national tournament.  UWL won the NCAA Division III Pella, Iowa Regional.  

UWL finished 2-2 in 2020 as the rest of the season was canceled to the COVID-19 pandemic threat.

Wnek came to UW-La Crosse after earning her master's degree in sports administration and leadership at Augustana University (S.D.) in 2018.  She served as the Vikings' graduate assistant softball coach from 2016-18, serving as the primary infield coach and assisting with the day-to-day operations of the program, including travel information and field management.  Augustana (S.D.) finished 40-16 in 2017, including 21-5 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play while advancing to the NCAA Division II Central Regional title game.  She organized and ran the 2017 Augustana/Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association Fall League.

Wnek joined Augustana (S.D.) after starting four years at shortstop at the University of Northern Iowa from 2012-16.  She graduated as the Panthers' all-time leader in career doubles (56) and earned All-Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) First Team honors her senior season.  Wnek was named the 2013 MVC Newcomer of the Year in her freshman season and was a 2014 and 2015 All-MVC Second Team selection as a sophomore and junior. Starting all 208 games in her Panthers' career, Wnek was a UNI Scholar-Athlete while earning her degree in movement and exercise science with an emphasis in sport psychology.  

A native of Amana, Iowa, Wnek was an assistant softball coach at Cedar Falls (Iowa) High School from 2014-15.

"Over the years, I have played for and coached beside some amazing coaches that have taught me so much," said Wnek.  "I want to give back the knowledge I have learned throughout high school, college and my young coaching career to others.  As I continue to grow as an individual and coach, I will never forget what the game of softball has given me.  It's my turn to give back."