Apprentice Jori Hajek Relishes Opportunity to Take Over for “Big Sister” Avery Terwilliger

By: Nathan Bloechl — [email protected]

Humboldt, Iowa — Avery Terwilliger may be one of the most accomplished players in Humboldt softball history. For the better part of her stellar five-year career, Terwilliger was apart of some of the best teams in the program’s time.

Father Time, always undefeated, brought his vicious circle back to Humboldt and graduated one of the better senior classes the area has ever seen, leaving Doug Van Pelt to try to replace the production of last year’s  seniors with similarly skilled players albeit with lesser experience.

Humboldt softball fans: meet Jori Hajek.

Hajek was used sparingly as an 8th grader, partaking in most every game as a pinch- or courtesy runner using her speedy stride to swipe bags and score runs.

This year, however, the freshman has been thrust into the every day line-up playing where her former teammate Terwilliger did at shortstop, while trying to set the table in the two-spot in the lineup.

They are obviously big shoes to fill,” said Hajek of following up the outstanding career of Terwilliger. “But we have a good team with us this year, we graduated a lot but everyone is still kind of that same goofy personality.”

I don’t feel too much pressure,” she remarked with a smile.

Luckily for Hajek, Terwilliger took her under her wing as an 8th grader last year, showing her the ropes and leading by example what it takes to be a darn good every day player under the pressure of playing for one of the more demanding — and successful — head coaches in Doug Van Pelt.

Consider it a Yoda and Luke Skywalker scenario.

Terwilliger the sage veteran, a been there done that type, never phased by the moment and Hajek the springy, happy-go-lucky youth dripping with talent waiting to be harnessed.

Avery was like a big sister to me,” explained Hajek. “She was super helpful to me last year, always helping me, always giving me tips.”

She was such an influential person,” Hajek said.

Hajek couldn’t understate how important that mentorship from Terwilliger was.

She was just always there for me when I needed her, it honestly sucks not having her here anymore, but she was the first one I saw after the Ogden game,” Hajek replied.

She’ll be around, I know she will, she misses us too much” the outgoing Hajek laughed.

While you can never truly replace special talent like Avery,  Hajek is off a to wonderful start.

She clubbed her first career home run in a 10-0 win last night over Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and she’s not committed an error playing the premier defensive position.

She also missed some practice time earlier this spring while competing for Dean Clasen’s track team and qualifying for state in multiple events.

That group of girls will obviously be tough to replace,” declared Hajek. “But we have a good group here this year, too, I think we might have different strengths that will help us too.” 

Humboldt’s softball team is off to a 2-0 start this year and are currently ranked #5 in Class 3A.