Grace Danoski takes the mound as Hortonville makes playoff run

With a newly won 2026 regional championship and Hortonville Polar Bears’ first conference title since 2015, stand-out Grace Danoski has had a dream senior season and aims to lead her team deeper into the postseason.

Grace has excelled throughout her career, both on the mound and at the plate. She has earned All-Fox Valley Association honors in each of her first three seasons and is poised for her fourth selection this year.

Introduced to the sport by her parents, Grace took to softball at a young age: “I started playing baseball at the age of 6 and then eventually transitioned to softball.”

Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, Grace, a Jacksonville State commit, eventually knew the path she wanted to take her athletic career.” Growing up, I loved doing dance and volleyball, but eventually I had to pick one to focus on, and softball it was.”

Softball has been a source of connection and personal growth for Grace throughout her time on the field. “I love the competitive atmosphere and being able to create new relationships. It’s kept me going because I’ve grown so much through it.”

Grace learned how to balance her time between the classroom and on the softball diamond during her high school years. “It was harder as a freshman because everything was new. Over time, I’ve learned how to prioritize and balance both more effectively.”

The mental aspect of her game is what Grace believes gives her an edge while competing, “My positive mindset and ability to stay composed in big moments.”
The 2026 season will stand out to Grace for her team’s success: “Winning conference this year and just the bond and chemistry our team has on and off the field,” as well as individual highlights, such as earlier in the season when she hit three home runs in all three of her at-bats.

As her career winds down, Grace looks fondly at her time at Hortonville High School, “Looking back, it’s rewarding to see how much I’ve grown both as a person and as an athlete. High school has taught me resilience, discipline, and confidence, and it’s fun looking back to see how I’ve improved through every challenge and experience.”