Oberthien to provide Warriors with a lift as dual-sport athlete

By Matt Oliver

FOREST CITY – Nichole Oberthien has been an impact player on the softball diamond and basketball court throughout her prep career. Now, she’s set to continue to be a difference maker as a dual-sport athlete at Waldorf University.

Oberthien, a Solon High School senior, signed a letter of intent with the Warriors on Tuesday.

“Being able to continue to play two sports at the collegiate level is an unbelievable privilege,” Oberthien said. “When you’re younger, you dream of it, and when it comes true, it’s an amazing feeling.”

At Solon, Oberthien has started and lettered for the softball team during the past two seasons.  An outfielder, she helped the Spartans to a 42-3 record while capturing the Class 3A state championship during her junior season. Solon also won a conference title, topping the WaMaC East with a 20-1 league record.

“Nichole is a great pickup for us,” Waldorf softball coach Lexy Determan said. “She is a very athletic girl coming from a high school that has had a ton of success in their female sports, including a strong tradition of state tournament appearances in their softball program.”

During Oberthien’s junior softball season, she sported a .337 batting average and hit a home run as she contributed 20 RBIs. She collected 34 total hits, including six doubles and scored 19 runs. Starting in all 45 games for the Spartans, Oberthien recorded a .426 slugging percentage, a .391 on-base percentage and turned in seven stolen bases on nine attempts. She concluded the 2015 season with all-conference honorable mention recognition.

Aside from putting together solid softball and basketball careers at Solon, Oberthein also played volleyball and helped the Spartans win the 2014 Class 3A state championship.

“She has been a multi-sport athlete, seeing success in many aspects of sports and staying busy year-round,” Determan said. “This is the type of athlete that I look for.”

Predominantly playing as an outfielder throughout her prep career, Oberthien will see time as a catcher at Waldorf.

“She is a true utility player, who we will expect to try both behind the plate and in the outfield,” Determan said. “Her speed will be a great asset to our lineup.”

On the hardwood, Oberthien was a three-year varsity letter winner and two-year starter for Solon. During her senior season, the Spartans posted a 14-10 record. Oberthien averaged six points, two steals and was second on the team with 5.4 rebounds a game, garnering all-conference honorable mention recognition.

“We are excited to add Nichole to our women’s basketball program,” Waldorf women’s basketball coach Katie Schutjer said. “She comes from a program that plays good competition, so she already will know what it takes to compete at a higher level of play.”

Standing at 5-foot-7, Oberthien will be a key for the Warriors on both ends of the court.

“She is a guard that has some good length to her,” Schutjer said. “Defensively, she is able to deter a lot of shots from the outside due to her length. She will add some good depth to our guards.”

Fifteen of the 44 field goals Oberthien made during her senior season were from 3-point range.

“She is a good shooter from the perimeter, and I think once we get her into the system we are looking to implement here, she will really excel as a shooter,” Schutjer said.

With the ability to battle on the boards, Oberthien won’t hesitate to work inside.

“She is also a very good rebounder for a guard,” Schutjer said. “She’s not afraid to be tough in the paint, which is what it takes to compete at the college level.”

Oberthien is the daughter of Jeff and Lori Oberthien. She plans to study elementary education or criminal justice at Waldorf. The opportunity to play two sports led her to signing with the Warriors.

“Having coaches who will work for you, so you can play two sports made it an easy choice to come here,” Oberthien said. “Both the softball and basketball programs have good philosophies and great programs.”

Waldorf begins its second year in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) during the 2016-17 academic year, and Oberthien is expected to mesh with her future teammates.

“Nichole is a great teammate,” Schutjer said. “You always see her on the court encouraging her teammates and getting excited for them when they do something well. Team chemistry is a huge component in what determines a team’s success, and I believe Nichole will be a huge advocate for that.”

Oberthien becomes the third dual-sport athlete to join the Warriors’ basketball team for the upcoming season and the second two-sport athlete to sign with the softball program’s 2016-17 recruiting class. Playing both sports in her home state, she’ll bring plenty of supporters to Waldorf’s games.

“It is also great knowing that we are gaining a great fan base with another Iowa girl,” Determan said. “We are extremely pleased to have Nichole join us. I think she will be the true definition of how a two-sport athlete can excel in collegiate athletics.”