PRINCETON: Wilson coming back for more

Former Rider softball standout is new PDS head coach

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   Kristen Wilson is back after a 10-year break from softball.
   The former Rider University standout is the new softball coach of the Princeton Day School varsity.
   ”I hadn’t thought about softball at all after I graduated,” said Wilson, a Montgomery resident. “I was thrilled to be done after so many years of it. But I was itching to get back into it. I had my eye out for something and saw the PDS job, and it happens to be close to my home so it really worked out.”
   Wilson walked away from the game a decade ago after playing shortstop for four years at Rider University. She left as a top-10 hitter for the Broncs who ranked fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in walks, eighth in doubles and nearly cracked the top 20 in batting average in her senior season.
   ”You play so many years, softball is so year-round with the travel,” Wilson said. “It was a really nice break.”
   In the last year, however, Wilson started thinking about coming back, not as a player but as a coach.
   ”I’m super competitive,” Wilson said. “The thing I was lacking was not having the competition. It was good to get back out there and feel that and motivate the girls to feel that as well.”
   Wilson takes over a Panthers team that does not have a senior and went 6-8 last year under Bob Wilson — no relation. She is looking forward to seeing how the Panthers react to her tutelage.
   ”I’ve taken something from all the coaches I’ve had,” she said. “I wouldn’t say one more than the other.
   ”I think so far the girls are great,” she added. “We just came back from our Florida trip. I have a great assistant coach and we have great chemistry too so it looks good from that front.”
   Assistant coach Jenny Luis played outfield for the University of Tampa. With Wilson’s experience in the infield, and Luis’ in the outfield, the combination feels good about the way it can cover all aspects for PDS.
   ”It’s worked out great,” Wilson said. “She was an outfielder. We’ve broken up and split the squad. She can work with the outfield and I can work with the infielders. It’s worked out well for us.”
   Wilson is optimistic that the combination will continue to work for the Panthers as they begin their season. PDS is hoping it has the talent to contend, even if it doesn’t have all the experience.
   ”I have no idea of the competition in the prep league,” Wilson said. “I have no idea what we’re up against. I want them to pull together and play well and do the best for what they have. Whether they win or lose, it doesn’t matter. I like to win, but if they play well, I’m happy with that.”
   She is plenty happy to be back in the game. It’s from a different side, but Kristen Wilson is happy to be back in softball.
   ”I really enjoy it,” she said. “I was a little skeptical at first. It’s a lot of fun. It fills that void for me and Jenny.”