MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman has announced Kristle Wolcott has been named the fifth head coach in Maverick Softball history.
 
Wolcott, a native of Clear Lake, Iowa, has served as Minnesota State's Associate Head Coach since 2014 and has been with the Mavericks as a full-time staff member for 14 seasons. Wolcott takes the reins of the Maverick program from Lori Meyer, who announced her retirement after 41 seasons as the program's head coach earlier today.
 
"It is an incredible responsibility taking over the Maverick softball program after Coach Meyer's remarkable run. Lori's leadership, direction, and guidance have left an indelible mark on the program. Her legacy of success has established the standard that will measure future success," said Buisman. "I firmly believe that Kristle is the right person, at the right time for this program. She has waited patiently 'on deck' for this opportunity and has well-established connections with both our alumni and on the recruiting trail that will continue to move us in a positive direction."
 
After serving as a graduate assistant with the Maverick program in 2007 and 2008, Wolcott returned to the Purple and Gold in 2011 as the Mavericks finished 54-16 and finished fifth at the NCAA Championships.
 
The Mavericks have appeared in the NCAA tournament 11 times with Wolcott on staff, including advancing to the NCAA Championships twice. In 2017, the Mavericks won their first national championship in softball, downing Angelo State, 5-1, en route to a 64-7 record.
 
While at Minnesota State, Wolcott has helped six student-athletes earn 15 All-American honors, including four-time All-American Lindsey Erickson (2011-14) and 2017 National Fast Pitch Coaches Association Player of the Year Coley Ries. Additionally, five Mavericks have earned a total of seven Academic All-American honors during Wolcott's time on staff, including Kendra Huettl who was the CoSIDA All-American of the Year in 2012.
 
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman and President Inch for this incredible opportunity to lead the Women's Softball program. I'm passionate about Maverick Athletics and committed to the success of our players — on the field, in the classroom, and in the Greater Mankato community. My family's encouragement makes this opportunity even more meaningful, and we are proud to continue this journey as part of the 'MavFam'."
 
"This moment is especially meaningful after spending 17 seasons coaching alongside Lori Meyer—the winningest coach in NCAA Division II history and the architect of Maverick Softball. Her mentorship shaped my coaching career and personal growth, and I'm honored to carry that legacy forward."
 
"I'm excited to build on the strong tradition of Maverick Softball and lead this program into its next era. Our focus will remain on developing resilient, high-character student-athletes and competing at the highest level. I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead a program with such a proud history, and I look forward to what we'll accomplish together."
 
Prior to returning to Minnesota State in 2011, Wolcott served as the head coach at her Alma Mater, Waldorf, coaching the Warriors to a 48-36 record during her two seasons. In 2009, Wolcott guided Waldorf to a Midwest Collegiate Conference championship and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.
 
Wolcott played at Waldorf from 2001-04 where she was a part of two conference championship teams and was named an Academic All-American and earned all-conference and all-region honors in 2001, 2022 and 2004.
 
Wolcott lives in North Mankato with her wife Jamiee and son Tekaree.

Wolcott File

Year	Record	NCAA Tournament Record	All-Americans
2008	42-16	3-2	Lyndi Decker – CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American
2009	36-15	1-2
2011	54-16	6-3 (T5 at NCAA Championships)	Lindsay Erickson: 2nd Team NFCA All-American; 2nd Team Daktronics All-American
			Kendra Huettl:  CoSIDA Third-Team Academic All-American; NFCA Third-Team All-American
2012	49-10	2-2	Lindsay Erickson: 2nd Team NFCA All-American; 2nd Team Daktronics All-American
			Kendra Huettl: CoSIDA 1st Team Academic All-American; CoSIDA Academica All-American of the Year
2013	40-12	2-2	Lindsay Erickson: 2nd Team NFCA All-American; 2nd Team Daktronics All-American
2014	43-13	0-2	Lindsay Erickson: 2nd Team NFCA All-American; 3rd Team Daktronics All-American
			Sam Holien: 3rd Team NFCA All-American
2015	38-23	--
2016	45-7	1-2	Coley Ries: NFCA Third-Team All-American; D2CCA Second-Team All-American
2017	64-7	10-1 (NCAA Champions)	Jessica Meidl: NFCA Second-Team All-American
			Coley Ries: NFCA Player of the Year; NFCA First-Team All-American; D2CCA First-Team All-American; CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American
2018	35-19	2-2
2019	37-19	--
2020	17-3	--	Carly Essleman- 3rd Team CoSIDA Academic All-American
2021	40-10	2-2	Mackenzie Ward- NFCA First-Team All-American; D2CCA First-Team All-American
2022	48-14	2-2	Mackenzie Ward- NFCA First-Team All-American; D2CCA First-Team All-American
2023	31-19	--
2024	39-16	--
2025	39-20	1-2
Total	697-239	32-24