Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Head coach Bo Tjebben's Iowa Central softball team is slated to make their home debut on Thursday, weather permitting, at Rogers Park.

There is no other person Bo Tjebben respects more than Rick Sandquist.

So, while Sandquist has turned control of the Iowa Central softball program over to Tjebben, don’t expect to see a number of changes made for the Tritons.

“I couldn’t have had a better mentor,” Tjebben said. “Coach Sandquist is an absolute legend in my mind. He coached me back during my high school days, my daughters had the chance to play for him (at Iowa Central) and I was blessed to work with him as his assistant.

“Honestly, we really haven’t changed anything from the signs down to what we do to prepare.”

After weather and COVID-19 caused several changes to the schedule, Iowa Central was able to get into a flow of playing by taking on challenges in Minnesota, Kansas and Illinois before opening ICCAC play with a four-game sweep of Marshalltown.

“Everything has gone pretty smooth despite all the obstacles thrown at us,” Tjebben said. “The girls have really responded like crazy. We have great energy around us, have been practicing hard, cheering each other on even at 5:30 a.m. practices and just really bought in.

“I’m lucky, though, because not only is it a great group of girls, I have incredible assistant coaches.”

Cassie Tjebben joined the staff in January, taking over the pitchers. A former Fort Dodge Senior High and Iowa Central standout, she serves in the lead role with her dad on the staff alongside volunteers Dale Schnetzer and Kyle Alstott.

“Cassie was a little nervous at first, but she’s really settled in and has been so incredible to have around,” Tjebben said. “I never expected to have her here coaching with me, but I’m so happy it worked out.

“Dale and Kyle both do this as volunteers and are so important to the success of our program.”

Sophomores MacKenzie Rosenboom and Abbie Thilges were voted captains and have shined at the plate to begin the season alongside classmates Kayla Wookey, Abby Wilson, Allyson Stewart, Rachel Newell and Megan Poole.

“Kenzie and Abbie are both more of the lead-by-example types, but lately, they have become more vocal,” Tjebben said. “The sophomores have been through a lot with their season being canceled last year and everything else. But they have really been tremendous to have and are helping get the new girls ready.”

Among those in the freshman class include former Fort Dodge Senior High all-stater Loghen Schnetzer and ex-Humboldt standouts Carlie Thompson and Mady Lange. Mikhaela Muir, Laila Pelds, Kryslynn Ruppert, Paytton Crawford, Sydney Vogel, Madison Huisman and Emily English round out the group.

“It really is tough to find the best 10 each game to put on the field with the talent we have,” Tjebben said. “Everybody is pushing each other for playing time and that’s what you want to see.”

As is always the case, the ICCAC is loaded once again with Kirkwood and Des Moines Area ranked in the Top-10. The Tritons are currently 13th in the nation.

“It’s the best conference in the country,” Tjebben said. “But that is something we’ve always embraced here. You want to play the best and challenge yourself, and that’s what we do with our schedule.”