It appears you can take the coach out of the school, but you can't take the school out of the coach.

Sean O'Mara retired as a teacher at Siuslaw High School last spring.

But the veteran coach will return to guide the Lady Vikings' softball program.

Siuslaw lost just three players to graduation — Kya Blake, Adriana Edwards and Lizbeth Garcia-Galvan.

But the Lady Vikings finished the season with 17 players on the team, so should have an abundance of veterans, powered by senior shortstop Bailey Overton, who was first-team all-state and Sky-Em League first team.

Senior centerfielder Hayden Muller was second team all-league.

Senior Maggie Manning and sophomore Cate Waggoner shared pitching duties last spring.

The Lady Vikings' fourth senior is outfielder Brooke Olson.

Last spring's roster included now-juniors Gillian Norton, Ava Coggins and Bailey Myrick.

Seven now-sophomores were varsity players as freshmen, including Kristin Wall, Meika Shappell, Brynlee Manues, Ashley Hennessee, Rosa Velasco-Mendez, Chloe Aaron and Waggoner.

The Lady Vikings tentatively are scheduled to open their season with a doubleheader March 18 at Sutherlin.

Jamie Hunt and Jodi O'Mara are returning assistant coaches.

The Lady Vikings will hold their first practice on Valentines Day (Feb. 14) 2022.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
2021 record: 1-14 overall, 1-14 Sky-Em League
Monday, Feb. 14 — First practice
Monday, March 14 — First contest/jamboree date
Friday, March 18 —at Sutherlin (DH), 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 12 — Marist, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 15 — at Junction City (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19 — at Cottage Grove, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 22 — Elmira (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26 — Marshfield, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 29 — at Marist (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3 — Junction City, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 6 — Cottage Grove (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10 — at Elmira, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 13 — at Marshfield (DH), 3 p.m.
Coach: Sean O'Mara
Assistants: Jamie Hunt, Jodi O'Mara