PORT ANGELES — There are two things Port Angeles senior catcher Hannah Wahto, who has been named the 2012 All-Peninsula softball MVP, likes most about playing softball.
“Competition,” Wahto said. “I’m a really competitive person.”
And, “I like being the leader.”
Roughriders coach Buddy Bear gives the same two answers when asked what he likes most about Wahto, and he says both are important characteristics of a good catcher.
“I’ve had a lot of good catchers, but she’s at the top of the list,” Bear said.
“Any coach would love to have a Hannah Wahto. She loves to compete, and she loves being the best, but she still brings other kids along.”
It’s common for athletes in all sports and at all levels to express their love of competition.
But Wahto means it. She relishes the competition as much as the wins.
For instance, the game she was most proud of this year was a loss.
“The Sequim game, the first one,” Wahto said. “It was a battle, back and forth.
“We ended up losing, but it was a good battle.”
She also enjoys the responsibilities that go along with being the catcher.
“I like it,” Wahto said of her position. “You’re always doing something and in control of the game.”
She called pitches and read opponents’ hitters.
Holding runners on
And thanks to what Bear calls “her cannon arm,” opponents were hesitant to test her on the base paths.
A good catcher must also be a leader on the field, and Wahto had no problem being vocal with her teammates.
“They don’t rely on me, but I like to, I guess, enforce,” Wahto said.
“I make sure everybody is focused, playing well.”
Bear said Wahto’s leadership and defense will be difficult to replace.
“She had to . . . be an encourager as well as a psychiatrist to keep everyone from losing their heads, including mine,” Bear said.
“I couldn’t care less if she hit. I needed her to run the team, call pitches, set up the defense. A defense leader is what we needed.”
But Wahto could hit, too, compiling a .438 career batting average.
And despite her defensive prowess, she likes batting more.
“It’s where you really get to showcase your talent,” Wahto said. “Hitting is the most important thing to be good at in softball.”
With her graduation from Port Angeles High School earlier this month, Wahto’s many talents next will be showcased at Olympic College in Bremerton.
She anticipates she will play catcher and some shortstop for the Rangers.
Her high school coach predicts Wahto will continue to succeed at any level.
“Oh, yeah,” Bear said. “I know she can do whatever she wants, and will be successful at whatever she wants.”