Sisters with Montezuma ties are making memories on the softball field

      The Clarksville Indians celebrate the Class 1A state softball title, beating Edgewood-Colesburg, 5-2, at Rogers Field in Fort Dodge. Two sisters, Brooke and Kara Bohlen, who have Montezuma ties, helped lead the team to back-to-back state titles. The sisters’ parents are Darren and Molly (Thompson) Bohlen. Molly is a 1998 graduate of Montezuma.

By J.O. Parker
 
       Two high school softball players with Montezuma ties helped lead the Clarksville Indians to its third straight appearance in the state tournament and back-to-back Class 1A state titles last month in Fort Dodge.
      The Bohlen sisters, Brooke, 15, a freshman, and Kara, 17, a junior, fought through much adversity to capture the title.
         In first round action the Indians, the number two ranked team in the tournament, survived a tough 15-inning game, beating the North Butler Bearcats, 12-11.
        Next up, the Indians beat the Fort Dodge St. Edmond Gaels, 5-4, in game two. In game three, the Indians played the Gales, losing, 12-13. The two teams played a third game with Clarksville winning, 6-5, to advance to the title game in the double elimination section of the tournament. 
        The Indians then faced the number eight Edgewood-Colesburg, beating the Vikings, 5-2, to win the state title.
         Brooke and Kara are the daughters of Darren and Molly (Thompson) Bohlen. Molly is a 1998 graduate of Montezuma and is the daughter of Delmar and Jeannie Thompson.
       Brooke, who wears number 23, has been playing softball since she was 5-years-old, saying her sister, Kara, is her inspiration.
        “It just feels awesome to be able to play on the same field as Kara because I look up to her so much,” said Brooke.
       “We played the year before and that was my first year playing high school softball as an eighth grader,” she said.
          Brooke, who plays in the outfield, says the Indians have great team chemistry in all facets of the game.
        “Every single girl on our team can hit the ball,” said Brooke. “Our whole team is filled with underclassman who know how to play the game.”
        In addition to softball, Brooke plays basketball, participates in track and field as well as plays AAU softball for the Central Iowa KAOs.
As for her future, Brooke plans to work in real estate.
        Kara, who wears number 26 for the Indians, has been playing softball for about 12 years.
        One of her favorite parts of softball is helping the younger girls and teaching them little tricks or habits.
       “I was so thankful for the opportunity to play again this year at state,” said Kara. “It was so fun and so rewarding.”
        This was Kara’s third year to play in the state tournament. Her first year was when she was in eighth grade and pinch hit for the team.
         And last year, the Indians captured the state softball title.
         In addition to softball, Kara is involved in basketball and track and field.
         As for her future, Kara plans to go into the medical field.
        Molly, who played volleyball and golf at Montezuma, said it’s an unbelievable feeling seeing her two girls compete together on the same field.
       “There were so many emotions and this year definitely was a battle in those first few games,” said Molly. “It reminded me of the days when I was able to watch my younger brothers, Ryan and Luke, compete and play in sports together during their high school years.”

     Above Left, Brooke Bohlen, a freshman at Clarksville who wears number 23, runs after making an outfield catch during a state tournament softball game last month in Fort Dodge. Clarksville won back-to-back state titles with the help of Brooke and her sister, Kara.

    Above Right, Kara Bohlen, a junior on the Clarksville team who wears number 26, is all smiles as she walks toward the plate to bat during a state tournament game in Fort Dodge last month. Kara and her sister, Brooke, helped lead the Indians to back-to-back state championship games.