Lakewood High School has a multitude of sports, from bowling to football to volleyball, but the softball team stands out for its unique philosophy: Mudita. A Buddhist term meaning “sympathetic” or “selfless” joy, Mudita is a mindset of being happy for someone else’s success.
“It means to be happy for each other’s success, whether that’s that you get pulled in a game but your friend gets to go, or your other teammate gets to go out, just happy for them,” said varsity player Ella Bower.
The 2026 softball team embodies this mindset every day. When your team has Mudita, they can do more than just play; they can push to the next level.
“I would say it’s a new attitude and a new approach. We’re upping the level,” Bower said. “It’s going harder in practices… and we’re teaching the freshmen the new level. I would say that this team, we’re all kind of just locked in and ready to dominate.”
The 2025 season boasted a winning record for the Lakewood softball Team, and they are pushing even harder this year. There is only one varsity team this season, which hosts each grade from the high school.
“We only had 18 girls show up total, and we didn’t have what we needed to be viable at the JV level,” coach Lucas Yousko said.
Even though only 18 girls showed up to play this season, the team is growing each year, with more talented underclassmen than ever.
“I’m really excited about the team and being able to have a connection between the younger girls, which was kind of hard last year,” said junior softball player Lillian Boland.
With so many underclassmen stepping into varsity roles, the dynamic looks different this season. Each player is learning to grow and compete together, and this all ties back to Mudita.
“On the other side of the Mudita, we still want to be competitive,” Yousko said. “So you’re okay with your friend going in today, but you’re going to try to beat her up tomorrow. And beat her off in that spot the next day.”
The softball team is all about growth and holding each other up to be the best players you can be on and off the field. They know that mistakes only grow them and turn into lessons, and that they will always end up better than before.
While casual observers may compare the sport to baseball, the differences are distinct. Softball has a smaller field than baseball, fewer innings (only 7), and uses larger softballs than baseballs. Despite these differences, teamwork, strategy, and supporting your teammates are what make softball special.
Senior Jada Goings has joined the softball varsity team as a catcher for her third year in a row. She’s learned from so many of the team’s graduating members, and she goes on to share that knowledge with all the new underclassmen.
“I love this year’s team so much, and I’m so happy to get to continue to grow with all the new freshmen,” Goings said. “This team has lifted me up through hard challenges, and they keep pushing me to learn and grow.”
Coach Yousko emphasizes that the lessons learned through softball translate into real life. He is focused on helping each player reach their full potential. Every opportunity is an opportunity to grow, and everybody’s success is celebrated alongside their own.
“Winning is great, but I want these girls to learn teamwork, resilience, and how to handle setbacks,” Yousko said. “Mudita is just one part of that bigger picture.”
The Lakewood High School softball team is more than just a team: it’s a community, a family, and a home. In this 2026 season, the players will continue to challenge themselves, push themselves to the next level, celebrate their wins and their teammates, and grow into the people we once aspired to be. The softball season is so go catch a game, it will be a great time!
