Keke Tholl gets emotional describing feeling of sharing Big Ten title with Bonnie Tholl
Michigan coach Bonnie Tholl stood postgame with her arm around her niece, Keke Tholl, and a big grin on her face. The Wolverines had just beaten Indiana by a score of 3-1 to claim their 11th Big Ten Tournament Championship in program history and the first since Bonnie took over as coach last season.
Although she had previously been a part of all 10 of the other titles as an assistant, this one was a personal milestone. That was made even more special by the fact that she got to share it with Keke, who had never experienced winning a conference championship.
Speaking postgame, Keke Tholl attempted to describe just how much the moment meant.
“There are no words,” she said. “Playing for her now as head coach and her getting her first Big Ten Championship, this is a day I’ll remember forever.”
Attempting to hold back tears of joy, she then looked over at her aunt who pulled her in for a hug.
“I just love you so much,” she said.
Keke Tholl is in her fourth season with the Wolverines and has started all 56 games she has appeared in. She leads the team with 15 home runs to go along with 42 RBI on the year.
Although Keke failed to record a hit in her three at bats on Saturday, her four RBI and a home run on Friday against Wisconsin helped Michigan to reach the title game. The Wolverines did not lead all game against the Hoosiers until plating two runs off an error in the sixth inning, and Bonnie Tholl believes that proved their resilience.
“It’s just so fun to watch them have their moment,” the coach said. “After we were swept at Northwestern I told them, ‘We’re going to learn to live in big moments.’ This was their big moment that we were preparing for. So I’m so happy for them.”
With the Big Ten Championship now secured, Michigan will await to find out who its opponents will be the regional action of the NCAA Softball Tournament. The field is set to be announced at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN2.
Keke and Bonnie Tholl will hope their magic can lead to a deep run to the Women’s College World Series. They’ll celebrate this victory a little bit longer before getting right back to business.
“We’re gonna enjoy this for a few hours and then we’re gonna get back to work,” Bonnie Tholl said. “We’re gonna stay being Michigan softball and doing what we do.”