Head Varsity Softball Coach Claire Rietmann-Grout is stepping down from her coaching duties after one year with the team.

Before coaching at Harvard-Westlake, Rietmann-Grout played collegiate softball at Towson, and spent four years as the Head Coach of the Immaculate Heart softball team.

Members of this year’s squad attribute much of their enjoyment playing softball last year to the positive environment which she created within the program.

“I was very shocked to find out, since it was so sudden, but she’s doing what’s best for her in the situation and I respect that” Gillian Gurney ’17 said.  “Coach made softball a space with positive energy and she looked out for every single one of us not only as a player on her team, but also as people as well, which is something you don’t find in some coaches. She would always be interested in our lives outside of softball and check up on us.  She was a great teacher, coach, friend and overall person, and I will miss her a lot”.

Last year, the team finished 2-15-1, and 0-8 in league play. Rietmann-Grout will be replaced by Assistant Coach Melanie Williams.