Prairie’s Lucee Howe reflects on passion, goals in final softball season

CEDAR RAPIDS — Lucee Howe has stuck with softball for a variety of reasons.

Mostly, however, she just wants to make those around her proud and leave a positive mark.

“The coaches, because they always believe in you and they always want the best for you,” Howe said when asked why she keeps coming back to a sport she has played since she was 4-year-old.

“It’s definitely the teammates, too. You have to have a good community around you …we’re with them 24/7, so it just creates such a strong bond and we don’t wanna leave it.”

Howe is one of two seniors on the Cedar Rapids Prairie softball team this year. While most sports have a pile of seniors, Audrey Lueck is the only one to accompany Howe for their final season.

Success is extremely important to Howe — on and off the field. Practice makes perfect, and without practice it will be more difficult succeed.

“It’s not just gonna come to you,” said Howe, a third baseman who is batting .259 this season with one home run and two RBIs.

Whether that’s hitting, catching or throwing, Howe again noted how valuable practice is to not only an individual player, but an overall team. That certainty, aside from many other features, is what allows Howe to take steps toward leaving an impact on some of her much younger teammates.

“I want to make my family and teammates proud and succeed in what I need to succeed in,” Howe said. “I want to leave a mark for the younger girls and make everybody proud.”

Being one of two mentors on the team surely guarantees that goal.

Howe won’t be looking after her teammates alone for her final season, and she certainly knows what she’s doing.

“Keep believing in yourself and know that you can do whatever you put your mind to,” she said. “Having confidence is key. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’re not gonna get anywhere.

“Just know that everybody on your team, in your family and in the stands believes in you.”