MILL CREEK — The rebuilding process is never an easy one. But for Jackson softball coach Mike Moran, the challenges awaiting him next year are even more daunting with the graduation of Ashley Loose.

Moran and his players could always count on the senior center fielder to provide the spark the Timberwolves needed or some veteran leadership on a relatively young team.

For her efforts on the softball field and with the Wolfpack volleyball team, both of whom advanced to the Northwest District 4A playoffs, Loose was named Jackson High School’s Athlete of the Year last week.

Loose was instrumental to both teams’ success.

“What she did for our team is very, very difficult to replace,” Moran said. “Our biggest task is trying to find someone who gets on base six and a half times out of 10. Her on-base percentage was incredibly high. She scored runs. She made everything tick … she was a real catalyst for our team.”

Loose also took the initiative during practice. On occasion, there were times when Jackson would be short a coach. Moran wouldn’t think twice about sending Loose and fellow senior Jacki Hansen to work with their younger teammates.

“(They) would run their own outfield drills and do them properly and efficiently,” Moran said. “She showed the younger players excellent work habits and practice habits. She was able to, with Jacki, go out and take care of that portion of the practice … she could be a great coach down the line. She’s very positive and very good with people.”

Coaching will have to wait for a while since Loose is headed to Barry University in Miami, Fla., to continue her softball career.

At one time, Loose was thinking she might not play softball after high school. But during her junior year, Loose discovered just how much the sport meant to her.

Late in the season, Loose sprained her ankle during a botched stolen base attempt and missed the rest of the year.

“I had been thinking about it for a while and I thought I could do without it (softball), but when I sprained my ankle and didn’t get to play the last (part) of the season, I really missed it,” Loose said. “It’s just something I needed to continue … I had been going back and forth for a while. I’ve been playing it all my life. Just being out of it, I wanted to get right back in it.”

Loose was playing at a tournament in Florida with her club softball team last summer when she was approached by a representative of Barry University. During a visit to Barry, Loose came away impressed by both the softball team and the academic environment of the Division II school.

Continuing on with her academic studies was the primary concern of Loose’s parents.

“The only thing they really gave as a goal for after high school is a four-year college,” Loose said. “That’s just been their mind set and they’re very supportive throughout the whole recruiting process, getting me out to where I need to be seen and helping me out if I wouldn’t play softball either. They were getting me to look at colleges academically.”

The volleyball season also provided many memories for Loose. She and co-captain Heidi Karin helped lead the Timberwolves to within one victory of advancing to the state tournament.

“That was really fun. Our personalities just meshed so well,” Loose said. “We’ve known each other for so long and we really loved volleyball. We just enjoyed being able to lead the girls.”

During her freshman, sophomore and junior year, Loose was a member of the Jackson bowling team. She was unable to be on the team during her senior year because of she wanted to take a class at Cascadia Community College.

Loose initially started bowling just for fun.

“I had never bowled in my life before,” she said. “(I) just got better and better.”

Loose ended up buying her own ball and shoes and participated in a summer league to hone her skills.

“I was sad I didn’t get to do it this year,” she said.

It was during this past winter when Loose discovered how much she thrives on keeping busy. She wasn’t nearly as busy compared to the fall and spring when she was involved with sports.

“I didn’t bowl in the winter and I kind of had all this extra free time all of a sudden. I didn’t know what to do,” Loose said. “Academics and sports, they mesh well together for me. They keep me moving.”