When someone hears that Molly Carlson ‘26 is a Division I athlete, they don’t blink an eye. The only question is: in which sport? Carlson excels in three.
Carlson’s first love was softball. She has played as long as she can remember, and has always enjoyed it.
Growing up, the senior watched her brother Drew play baseball, and be coached by their father. Naturally, she followed in his footsteps.
“It’s always been special to me because it brought me closer to my family, and was always the sport that just stuck,” Carlson said. “I’ve always had a deeper understanding and passion for what I learned and did in softball, which kept me working at it and wanting to get better.”
Carlson’s father has always supported her passion for softball.
“My dad was one of my first and best coaches, and [he] still is to this day. He’s never too busy to go get in work with me or talk me through a hard time. He’s my rock and understands me so well,” said Carlson.
When Carlson was in eighth grade, she began starting varsity for City High.
“I hit a walk-off home run to beat Jefferson at home. I felt like I did it for my team, [and]hat made me so proud as an 8th grader,” Carlson said. “Being able to pull through and step up like that in a big moment helped me gain confidence as a player.”
In just eighth grade , Carlson was already making an impact on City High softball. As she entered her freshman year , she knew she could do big things for City High sports. Fall of freshman year, she went out for volleyball.
Carlson went on to play volleyball all four years, and was a starting defensive specialist on varsity her junior and senior years. She continued to play volleyball along with her other sports because of her teammates.
“The community has been amazing. I’ve met so many people and gotten to have unique experiences because I’m an athlete at City High. Playing [volleyball] gives me a little break from the other sports mentally and physically, because my sports are demanding in different ways,” Carlson said.
Two sports was not enough for Carlson, though. Fueled by her competitive spirit, she went out for wrestling freshman year as well.
“[Girls wrestling] was sanctioned in my freshman year. I knew Jeff Koenig, my softball coach, would be coaching the team, and so I gave it a try, and it just felt right. I got a feel for it and just kept with it,” Carlson said.
Carlson is now a varsity 170-lb wrestler, and is looking forward to her last season wrestling as a Little Hawk this winter.
“My coaches and teammates throughout my time at City have allowed me to be a leader for them, and have provided guidance when I need it,” Carlson said. “I’ve also been lucky enough to have some great coaching through wrestling and softball, and have built relationships beyond the field and mat. I can always count on my City High family to be there for me.”
But, no matter how many other sports she played, Carlson always found herself gravitating towards her first love: softball. Going into her junior softball season, Carlson knew she wanted to pursue that love further, at the highest level.
“Division I was a huge goal of mine. I wanted to consider myself among the best,” Carlson said. “I hadn’t had many offers going into my junior season. My top choices were the state junior colleges, which have amazing programs and are a very popular route for athletes, but I thought I could do more.”
As her junior year progressed, Carlson’s dreams of reaching her goal never withered. She continued giving her all in each game, hoping that her efforts would be noticed by a coach who could take her to the next level.
“I’ll never forget it. It was a mid-season game at Waterloo West High School. I looked over to the stands, and I saw a man in a purple shirt. It was UNI softball’s head coach Ryan Jacobs. I had one of my best games, even hitting two home runs,” Carlson said.
Coach Jacobs liked what he saw during that mid-season game, and returned to watch Carlson some more throughout the season. What he saw game after game was the pure determination and grit of a player who loves the game.
“Coach Jacobs called me after watching a few games, and invited me on a visit to UNI. I immediately went and told my dad and brother. My dad came with me on my visit,” Carlson said.
“I loved UNI right when I stepped on campus. The team and culture at UNI made it feel like home, and I could just see myself there, and most importantly to me, competing for playing time right away. When it came down to it, other places were reaching out, but something about UNI just felt right.”
Carlson committed on August 5th, shortly after her visit. When looking back on the journey that got her to where she is today, Carlson thinks on how playing multiple sports has helped her accomplish her goals.
“I love to compete and couldn’t imagine giving up any of my sports. Doing multiple sports gives me a sense of accomplishment,” Carlson said. “There aren’t many days when I go home feeling I didn’t do enough. I am always hungry to get better, and so getting to do that beyond just one sport has been a gift for me.”
As Carlson finishes her last year of high school, she has her sights set on being the City High Softball home run record holder. As for her team, Carlson says she wants to have a run at state.
“I’d love to finally get there and compete in Fort Dodge,” Carlson said.
With her sights set high, Carlson plans to finish her high school career with a bang, and then focus on her future in Cedar Falls.
“I am so excited to be with all my teammates and to have so many new experiences. Already having friends right away will be so nice when settling in next year,” Carlson said.
Carlson says she’d advise female athletes to: “just try. You’ll never know what you are capable of if you never try. Give effort, and push yourself past what you think you can do. Your mind gives up way before your body. Struggle is growing, and nobody’s perfect. Being great isn’t given, it’s earned.”
