Wabasso's Macy Rohlik commits to Buena Vista for softball, wrestling

Wabasso senior Macy Rohlik has signed a Letter of Intent to play both softball and wrestling at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, a decision that keeps a standout multi-sport athlete connected to regional college athletics and highlights growth in girls wrestling.

Rohlik helped the Wabasso Rabbits reach the Class A State Softball Tournament last season after a 14-year absence, and she played a central role in the town’s expanding girls wrestling program. The dual-sport commitment preserves athletic continuity for Rohlik across winter and spring seasons and gives Buena Vista two-season roster depth in two different programs.

Rohlik described how the recruitment unfolded. “The [Buena Vista] softball coach [Tammy Utley] originally reached out to me to play softball,” Rohlik said. “Then I went on a visit there and then she introduced me to the wrestling coach [Paige Storm] and told me about their program and spoke very highly of it, so I just thought I’d go on another visit and see if I liked the wrestling coach also. I ended up liking her and then I said, ‘Well, let’s just give it a try.'” Rohlik took both visits a couple of weeks apart last fall and the opportunity to stay active in both seasons excited her.

Rohlik also cited fit and setting in her decision. “I really liked the school after my visits,” Rohlik said. “I don’t want to say small because obviously it’s not small, but coming from a small town, it’s a bit smaller than what I might find at some other colleges, so I feel like that makes it feel more close to home … And being on the lake, I love the lake, so I think that’ll be a good experience.”

Buena Vista’s teams, known as the Beavers, will add Rohlik to both softball and wrestling rosters, a move that illustrates recruiting pipelines between small-town high schools and regional colleges. For Wabasso athletics, Rohlik’s departure will be felt on the diamond and the mat: she helped return softball to the state stage after a long gap, and she was part of a program described as piloting girls wrestling locally. Her signing may serve as a visible example for younger athletes in Wabasso considering multi-sport participation or college aspirations.

The commitment also matters for Storm Lake and Buena Vista University from a broader campus and community perspective. Student-athletes who compete in two sports can influence roster construction, practice schedules, and community engagement across seasons. Local businesses and campus events that rely on game-day crowds and family visitors may see marginal benefits when hometown athletes continue into college, particularly when athletes highlight campus amenities such as the lakeside setting Rohlik praised.

A submitted photo accompanying the announcement lists family members as Front row (l-r): Jessica Rohlik, Macy Rohlik. Back row (l-r): Owen Rohlik, Sue Rohlik.

What comes next is roster integration and follow-up from coaches. Buena Vista will get a two-sport athlete who said she liked both coaches and the campus atmosphere, and Wabasso will aim to build on the softball state berth and the momentum in girls wrestling that Rohlik helped create. Local fans can watch for Rohlik’s collegiate debut with the Beavers and for the ripple effects her dual-sport path may have on youth participation in Wabasso.