Kirkwood’s Grace Zaugg displays resilience in softball while her biggest fan fights cancer to cheer her on

CEDAR RAPIDS — The postgame activities included a quick visit with family before getting an ice pack tightly wrapped to her hip, waiting for the final team huddle.

Both seem normal, even uneventful, to most players.

For Kirkwood sophomore Grace Zaugg, they represent something much more important. A source of strength and struggle. Challenges her and her family are in the process of conquering.

Zaugg, 21, has battled hip injuries for about six years, enduring two surgeries over that stretch to be able to continue playing softball with the Eagles. She is tough and has an inspiring example of resilience in her mother, Shelly, who remains one of Zaugg’s biggest supporters despite a brain tumor discovered in November.

“She’s my No. 1 fan,” Zaugg said about her mom. “She always has been.

“She’s dealing with brain cancer and I feel she’s still on top of things more than me every day. She’s awesome.”

Zaugg has displayed a resolve to overcome adversity off the diamond, allowing her to be a contributor for NJCAA Division II No. 7-ranked Kirkwood on it. She has appeared in 28 games as a catcher and outfielder this season, finding respite in the game.

“Obviously, she’s dealing with the injuries and the home stuff,” Kirkwood Coach Eric Frese said. “You wouldn’t know it. Every day when she comes to the weight room or practice, she has a smile on her face. She does a really good job being an Eagle every day without bringing the outside part into it. I’m so proud of her.”

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The Zauggs received the news before the holidays. They took action to get answers, traveling to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. They tackled the task together.

“At first, we really didn’t know what was going on but we went to see some specialists at Mayo,” Grace said. “They were a lot of help. They did a biopsy to determine exactly what it was specifically. We started a treatment plan here in Cedar Rapids.”

Shelly underwent six weeks of radiation treatment and chemotherapy. After a month break, she began a six-month cycle of weekly oral chemotherapy, according to Grace. Shelly also receives Optune therapy (patches that administer direct therapy) 18 hours a day.

“She’s doing great,” Grace said of her mom.

Shelly was bundled up for last Thursday’s chilly doubleheader sweep against Southeastern Community College. The mostly overcast day included a shower during the opener, forcing her to retreat to under the concession stand overhang to watch. She has hung in there through the cold games thanks to Grace.

“I got her a heated lawn chair for Christmas,” Grace said. “It’s a little easier on her when she’s at the games because some of them are pretty cold.”

Frese was one of the first to learn about the diagnosis and it hit close to home — literally. He went to high school with Shelly, who was a good friend of his sister. They live near each other. Frese wears a purple wristband with “Shelly Strong” in white letters on one side and “Proverbs 31:25” on the other. The Bible verse emphasizes strength, dignity and being fearless.

“I haven’t taken this thing off since I got it,” Frese said. “Haven’t had it off one day since we found out. We’re praying for her. Keep winning the next pitch. Win the next day.”

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Grace has handled the emotional and mental battles of her mom’s situation. She has also dealt with the physical battle that hampered her play.

Grace began feeling a pinching pain in her hip that never subsided. She gutted it out before the discomfort was too much, having her first surgery and getting cleared to return for her all-state senior season at Cedar Rapids Xavier.

She medically redshirted her first season at Kirkwood, going under the knife again. It permitted an extra year with the Eagles, however, and she’s taking advantage of the experience.

Grace said she is close to 100 percent healthy and her healthiest since sophomore year in high school.

“I’ve had a lot of help from trainers, especially at Kirkwood,” Grace said. “(Kirkwood trainer) Kayla Bisinger has been great working with me almost every day. I feel like some weeks are worse than others. The coaches are really good about working with me, too. Sometimes, on weeks like this when we’re extra busy, it gets really tight and that causes pain. The staff has been really good working with me.

“Our lifting program is good about keeping me healthy, too.”

Grace admitted there were times she worried she might not think all the effort and pain was worth it. Those thoughts dissipated when she saw her teammates compete without her.

“I did have to sit out and watch,” Zaugg said. “I was grateful my team was doing so well but it sucked having to sit and be on the sideline when I wanted to help in any way that I could.”

Frese said she has made huge strides as a player, despite the physical problems. He said her work ethic and the time dedicated has allowed her to come a long way.

Zaugg owns a .311 batting average and .392 on-base percentage. She 14 hits, including four doubles and three home runs, 21 runs and 15 RBIs. She had four hits, two home runs and drove in seven runs in a doubleheader against Northeast Community College on March 30.

“It’s been awesome,” said Zaugg, who plans to continue her softball career at a four-year school next season. “I’m super happy that I was able to play in college. I do play simply because I love being out here and playing. I feel like I’m a lot more carefree and it’s a lot more fun knowing I could not be playing.”

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