COMMENTARY

Rolsma to throw out first pitch at softball College World Series

It was supposed to be the start of a bucket list for two sisters who love sports.

Kena Jo Wachholtz and Sherry (Wachholtz) Rolsma had talked for 10 years about attending the women’s softball College World Series in Oklahoma City, but the two never followed through with the plans. Something always came up as it often does for people with families and careers.

But this year was going to be different. This time, they were going to do it. For sure. No doubt.

Together.

But the plan failed again in the most devastating way. Kena Jo was diagnosed on Jan. 24 with glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. She died less than three months later on April 13.

“She was my big sister and best friend,” Sherry said while fighting back tears during an interview Friday at the Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce, where she works. “We did everything together. She loved life, and she was always willing to help anyone at any time. She was selfless.”

The women grew up in southern California and moved to Bentonville as adults. Kena Jo, 57, came first 19 years ago, followed by Sherry, 55, three years later. Kena Jo worked for Sam’s Club and later J.B. Hunt. But her passion was sports, and she was the biggest fan of the girls’ younger brother, Kyle Wachholtz, a former quarterback at Southern California who earned a Super Bowl ring in 1997 as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

“My sister was like a second mom to him,” said Sherry, who has two grown children of her own. “She followed all the games, and he always knew when she was in the stands. He could hear her.”

The girls were high school teammates for softball, and Kena Jo later became a board member with the Bentonville Girls Softball League, where she and Sherry coached a youth team together.

While Kena Jo appeared to be recovering after having a large tumor removed from her brain, Sherry began making plans for the two to finally make the trip to Oklahoma City for the women’s College World Series. Sherry learned the College World Series included a “Strike Out” for cancer night, and she called Lesa Foster with the American Cancer Society about how she and Kena Jo could get involved.

Foster had formed a plan for the sisters, and she called Sherry in April to relay the news. But it was too late. Kena Joe had already passed, two days before.

“How’s Kena?” Sherry said Foster had asked before being informed of her death.

That’s the way it is with cancer, which can strike suddenly and take away a life at any point, even when recovery appears to be at least a possibility.

But Sherry told Foster she still planned to attend the games and asked what she could do to support the American Cancer Society. Foster called back the same day and told Sherry she would throw out the first pitch Monday to begin a best-of-three series between championship contenders.

“When Sherry first reached out to me and shared that she and Kena wanted to attend the women’s College World Series as part of their ‘bucket list’, I knew immediately I wanted to invite them to throw out the ceremonial first pitch together,” said Foster, executive director of the south region for the American Cancer Society. “When I learned of Kena’s passing, I was heartbroken for Sherry knowing she had lost her best friend and teammate.

“Asking Sherry to throw out the first pitch in memory of Kena is a beautiful way to honor this dynamic duo as we strive to defeat cancer, our biggest rival.”

Sherry left Bentonville with her mother, Judy, on Saturday to attend the College World Series at Oklahoma City. They’ll be joined there by other friends and family members, including an aunt and her husband, who’ll drive in from California.

So, Sherry will walk to the circle with ball in hand before the 6:30 p.m. start Monday at Hall of Fame Stadium and throw out the first pitch. Fans in the stands will see one person, but Sherry knows she won’t be alone.

Far from it.

“I threw a lot of balls in my life,” said Sherry, a pitcher in high school at Norco, Calif. “I’ve thrown fastballs, curve balls, rise balls and drop balls. I want to tell her story, and I know she’ll be with me to keep me calm.

“It’s the most important pitch of my life.”

“Asking Sherry to throw out the first pitch in memory of Kena is a beautiful way to honor this dynamic duo as we strive to defeat cancer, our biggest rival.”

— Lesa Foster, American Cancer Society

Photo submitted/JERRY SOIFER Sherry Rolsma of Bentonville will throw out the first pitch at the women’s College World Series on Monday in memory of her sister, Kena Jo Wachholtz, who died of brain cancer in April.