Enters her third season as an assistant coach for UIC softball.
Kayla Wedl, one of the most decorated standouts in UIC softball history, returned to the program in a new capacity on November, 1, 2021, as fellow alumna and UIC head coach Lynn Curylo announced the addition of Wedl (WAY-dul) as an assistant coach for the Flames.
Wedl concluded her distinguished five-year career as a student-athlete in spring 2021, when she helped the Flames win the Horizon League Championship and secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament at the Columbia Regional. From 2017-21, the Wauconda, Ill., native helped UIC to 142 victories, three Horizon League Tournament titles (2017, 2018, 2021) and three NCAA Regional appearances (Eugene, Lexington, Columbia). The team’s 23 victories in conference play in 2021 set a program record.
Named the Horizon League Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021, Wedl was a four-time All-Horizon League honoree. As a senior in 2021, the shortstop paced the conference in the eleven offensive categories: batting average (.417), at-bats (175), runs (61), hits (73), doubles (15), triples (8), home runs (14), RBI (51), total bases (146), slugging percentage (.834) and stolen bases (30). In 2021 Wedl was also a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award and the conference’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
Wedl’s name is splashed across the program’s record book. She is a two-time NFCA All-Region First Team (2019 and 2021) selection and earned one Second Team (2018) nod. Wedl finished her career ranked second at UIC all-time in batting average (.378), home runs (43), runs scored (202), total bases (505) and stolen bases (82). She is third RBI (190) and triples (19), and seventh in doubles (50).
She is a two-time UIC alumna. After graduating in May 2021 with a master’s degree in marketing, Wedl put together a successful showcase and was signed to enter the professional ranks with Athletes Unlimited. She completed her undergraduate degree at UIC in kinesiology in May 2020.
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