The endeavor of achieving lofty goals in life doesn’t always entail constant focus on said goals. Often allowing the process to play out while enjoying every moment of other pursuits is, ironically, the best way to achieve the goals you’re otherwise ignoring.

At least that was the mindset of Maile Larsen entering her senior season for Pleasant Grove.

And the results speak for themselves, quite loudly.

The senior slugger crushed a state-leading 26 home runs during the 2025 season, just one shy of the all-time Utah High School single-season record. Larsen did, however, manage to break the single-season RBI record with 74 while leading the Vikings from her crucial catcher position.

Larsen also managed to herd plenty of cattle on her family’s ranch, spend as much time as possible enjoying Utah’s great outdoor offerings and otherwise enjoy life to the fullest rather than cause herself any undue anxiety.

“I went into this year not focused on my achievements, or for any specific numbers, but just to have fun,” Larsen explained. “Before this season it was all about beating records and trying too hard, I felt. So I determined just to let loose and things really worked out well, not just with what I was able to do for my team, but for my anxiety.”

Courtesy Pleasant Grove Softball

Larsen found herself prior to her final year experiencing anxiety attacks prior to games, making the game she loved an onerous task rather than what it should have been.

As always, Maile sought sound advice from her mother, Ashley Larsen.

“She told me to stop playing for others, and the expectations others had of me, but to play for myself,” Maile said of her mother, who is one of Pleasant Grove’s assistant coaches. “I couldn’t have done any of it without her being there for me. She definitely made the biggest impact on my season just like she has with everything in my life.”

Maile’s softball life began around the age of eight, and she immediately fell in love with the sport. Around age nine she gravitated the central role of playing catcher due to a desire to be involved as much as possible.

“I first played middle infield, but I really wanted to catch, even though my softball coach at the time said I was too little,” Maile related. “I took a lot of pitches to the face the first few times I tried it out in catcher’s gear, but I stuck with it and I’ve been catching ever since. I just love seeing the whole field, touching the ball every play and just being involved with everything.”

Maile’s involvement with Pleasant Grove’s overall success began immediately when she was just a freshman. Taking on the crucial catching position, she hit an astounding .543 from the plate while belting nine home runs. Her sophomore season saw her raise her average to .550 while adding another 10 home runs. Her incline continued into her junior season, where she finished with a .574 batting average while slugging another 15 balls over the fence before things really took off during her senior season.

Courtesy Pleasant Grove Softball

“She’s been a true leader since her freshman year and just continued to grow and grow with every season,” said Pleasant Grove Softball Coach Leslie Young. “She has a big personality, has big energy and she’s very confident. She’s been a leader for us in the dug-out and she’s really made a big splash for us from the get-go, but this past year is when she really separated herself.”

Maile has also proved to be a standout defensively.

“She really is a five-tool athlete,” Young appraised. “She’s been so good for us from behind the plate. She’s been a steadying influence for her teammates and she really has been the loudest voice from our dugout every year that she’s been here. She’s definitely who you want in high pressure situations, too, and you won’t find a harder worker.”

For her career, Maile totaled 60 home runs, which is a Utah state high school record along with her record 211 RBI.

Courtesy Pleasant Grove Softball

Maile is quick to credit all those her helped her achieve her singular accomplishments, from her mother, to Coach Young, to all of her teammates.

“My mother played softball, and was a great player, and I honestly don’t think I have enough words to express just how impactful she’s been with everything. I could write a book with everything she’s done for me with softball, with school, and everything else,” Maile said. “Leslie (Young) always knows everything that’s going on with everyone and knows how to fix it. She’s been amazing, and then my teammates have been such a huge part of everything…I’ve been fortunate to have played with some great teammates and friends for a long time and they’ve all made this journey so much fun and meaningful.”

Maile’s softball journey isn’t over, and she’ll move on to play for Grayson College in Texas this next season in hopes of continuing her remarkable improvements while adding to the success of that team. Considering what she showed throughout her four years played for the Vikings, Maile’s impact for Grayson should prove substantial and should come about sooner rather than later.