Gratz takes Kennedy building task

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Dan Gratz has been hired as softball coach at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, pending board approval.

Gratz replaces Katie Bova, who resigned at the end of the 2012 season.

He has served as an assistant coach at Cornell College and Mount Vernon High School, and has been an ASA coach in Wisconsin.

"He has been extensively involved in the sport of softball for the past six years at various levels, providing an ideal background to work with our current players and work to continue to build up the Kennedy softball program," said Kennedy Athletics Director Aaron Stecker.

"Coach Gratz has a tremendous enthusiasm and passion for the game of softball, both for the competitive game on the field and for the long-term lessons and leadership development of young people that the game has to offer. "He will provide an enthusiastic and high-energy style of softball that will be exciting for our student-athletes at Kennedy.  He has put a lot of thought and development into what a high school softball program should look like, what it should represent, and the positive impact a high quality program can have on young people."

Kennedy was 13-25 last season. The Cougars return their top three hitters (Ashley Hamilton, Tianna Drahn and Lauren Kubovec), as well as pitcher Madeline Crist.