Durant’s Bailey Kraklio wins Spotlight Athlete of the Week

DURANT, Iowa (KWQC) - Bailey Kraklio, a captain of the seventh-ranked Durant Wildcats softball team, has been named this week’s Spotlight Athlete of the Week, an award presented in partnership with Crawford Company.

“This is really awesome,” Kraklio said. “It feels great that the community is supporting us, supporting us as a team and especially me as a person. And I have a great coach and team to support me through it all.”

Coach praises Kraklio’s growth and leadership

Wildcats head coach Rich Darnell said Kraklio has shown significant improvement over the course of his three years with the program.

“This is my third year here and watching her — she was already good, but just how much she progressed each year last year, now this year, it’s unbelievable what she’s doing,” Darnell said. “But the work ethics, the leadership, you don’t find that. And she’s the heart and soul of our team.”

Darnell said Kraklio has continued to play through physical challenges that come with her position.

“Being a catcher, that’s a tough position anyway. She’s struggling, she’s had knees, and of course catchers do,” Darnell said. “But she’s always, always said, ‘Nope, I’m ready to go.’ So yes, it’s a blessing to have her.”

Kraklio said the support around her has contributed to her growth beyond the sport.

“With the support of all our community and coaches and teams, I’ve grown so much as a person and I’ve made so many friends because of the sport,” Kraklio said. “And it’s been good.”