April 19, 2024

Area softball players earn all-state honors

By STAFF REPORT
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Creston senior Taylor Briley takes a whack at a pitch earlier in a game this season. Briley earned second team all-state recognition in Class 4A from the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association. (CNA file)

REGIONAL — A handful of area players have earned all-state honors by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.

The teams were released Thursday.

Creston secured two spots on the Class 4A all-state teams.

Taylor Briley earned placement on the second team for a banner year. Alli Thomsen’s tremendous improvement helped her earn a spot on the their team.

Briley played in some capacity with the varsity program for five years.

“Had an awfully good career. Had a great senior season,” Creston coach Mike McCabe said.

Briley’s success is measurable by her senior stats, which include a .378 batting average, 14 doubles, three triples, two home runs and a team-leading 35 runs batted in. Briley posted a 14-6 record in the pitching circle with a 2.86 earned run average.

“She’s someone who came in with big shoes to fill,’ McCabe said, speaking of Taylor’s sister, Katlin Briley, who was an all-state performer herself. Safe to say those shoes were filled well.

Thomsen’s third team honors came in a year where she led the team in batting average at .391. The senior first baseman added to that with nine doubles, 27 runs driven in and a team-leading .456 on base percentage.

McCabe called Thomsen’s success “A testament to her work ethic and just being persistent and staying with it.” He added “(She) just had a great senior year, not just in softball but just about everything.”

In Class 3A, Clarke had two players earn all-state recognition. Junior Vanessa Bakley was named to the first team while junior Sydnee Redman was named to the second team.

“They were leaders for us on the field, at the plate,” said Clarke coach Lindsay Diehl. “We look forward to them coming back for their senior years.”

Bakley hit .387 with 8 doubles, two triples, two home runs and drove in 21.

Bakley earned first team all-state honors for a second straight year.

“She’s made a name for herself,” Diehl said.

Bakley also is noted for her defense.

“Vanessa’s a kid who loves being on defense,” Diehl said. “We want the ball hit to her. In the moment, where we need the big out, that big play, she’s the kid we want the ball hit too. She loves that situation, that moment. That’s where she’s made a name for herself is on defense.”

At the plate, Redman led the Indians with a .467 batting average. She had 10 doubles, five home runs and drove in 27.

“Sydnee, sitting in the three hole, is a kid we want up in the big situations. She’s been put in those situations since she was in eighth grade. She doesn’t bat an eye. Sydnee led us in most offensive categories.”

Both have one more season.

“I love them both equally,” Diehl said.

Central Decatur had one honoree. Junior Daryn Nowlin was named to the first team. She hit .531 with nine doubles, four triples, 15 home runs and 34 driven in. She also scored 45 runs while slugging 1.163.

Interstate 35 had four honorees in Class 2A.

Junior Carlyn Stanley was named to the first team. She dominated in the pitching circle this season. She went 28-4 with a 1.53 earned run average in 187 and two-thirds innings. She struck out 309 and walked 59. Opponents hit .171 against her.

“People didn’t hit the ball hard against her,” said Interstate 35 coach Tim Bogs. “She was maybe not striking out as many as we thought she would, but she controlled the game.”

Bogs recalled a game against ADM where Stanley struck out three, but allowed five hits.

“That was a sign of how good she could be,” Bogs said. “It turned out to be pretty correct.”

Kate Stanley was named to the second team. The freshman led the Roadrunners in average at .473, in home runs with five and runs batted in with 36. She was second in doubles with 14, one behind her older sister who had 15.

“Second team is pretty well deserved,” Bogs said. “She sure was pretty steady all year.”

Bogs also credited Kate Stanley’s defense at second base.

“Her defense picked up,” Bogs said. “That was one of the big keys. Up and down the lineup, we didn’t make many errors, especially on the right side.’

Juniors Shai Major and Riley Morris were named to the honorable mention list.

Major it .330 with 12 doubles and drove in 27. Richardson batted .341 with five doubles and 27 driven in.

“Shai and Riley both had pretty good seasons,” Bogs said. “Shai settled in at number five at the end of the year. Riley’s bat came around pretty good. She was pretty good the last half of the year.”

Bogs credited the team’s work in practice to making them a good hitting team.

“We got better as the year went on,” Bogs said. “We spent more time, taking more time on the tee. That’s how you get better.”

Nodaway Valley had one honoree. Junior Paige McElfish was named to the second team.

McElfish batted .505 with 50 hits, 13 doubles, 12 home runs and drove in 44. In the pitching circle, McElfish went 16-12 with a 2.59 earned run average in 167 and two-thirds innings of work. She struck out 202 and walked 47.

In Class 1A, Murray had five honorees.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Murray coach Danny Jensen.

Freshmen Kayla Wookey and Breianna Klein were named to the first team.

Klein led the Mustangs with a .519 batting average. She had 56 hits, 23 doubles, 44 runs batted in, seven home runs and slugged .944. In the pitching circle, Klein was 12-5 with a 2.32 earned run average.

“Breianna was high up there in six or seven categories,” Jensen said. “Breianna really, really had a great year.”

Wookey went 13-3 pitching with 176 strikeouts in 100 and two-thirds innings with a 1.18 earned run average.

“Kayla was in there in pitching and hitting,” Jensen said.

Both will be back for three years.

“It’s not often you’re led by two freshman,” Jensen said. “They did their jobs for us. The good news is we’ve got them for three more years.”

Junior Brandi Gilbert and senior Madison Gonseth each earned spots on the third team.

Gonseth hit .451 with 12 doubles, three home runs and 33 driven in.

“Maddie at first base was a rock for us,” Jensen said. “Defensively she was a rock for us.”

Gilbert hit .421 with four home runs, 13 doubles and 13 runs batted in.

Freshman Hailey Chew earned honorable mention honors. Chew hit .282 from the leadoff spot.

“Hailey came on strong at the end of the year for us,” Jensen said. “She got her confidence going. She’s going to be a really good player for us in the future.”

Four of the five will be back.

“The future bodes well,” Jensen said. “We want them to do a lot of things in the offseason. All of those girls will work hard between now and then. They can get out there and play. Hopefully they can get better because they still have a lot of things to work on.”

It was a season for the ages for Lenox softball and the Tigers were awarded with two players recognized as all-state performers.

Beth Christensen helped fuel a late-season winning streak that led into the playoff with her success in the pitching circle. She went 17-6 in 132 and two-thirds innings of work. She stuck out 138 batters and had a 2.48 E.R.A. She also hit .254 with 14 RBIs.

“She’s probably the smartest player that we’ve ever had come through the system,” Lenox coach Tom Shields said.

He credit that to Christensen’s constant presence at the ballpark as a young girl watching her sister Maggie play.

Junior Shantelle Brown hit a blistering .469 for the Tigers and broke the program record for RBIs (with 35), but teammate Emily Powell eclipsed her with 36.

“This year she was just hitting with more authority, more power,” Shields said.

Brown hit 14 doubles, two triples and a home run, led the team with 12 stolen bases, a .523 OBP and slugged .684. Brown contributed a heavy hand to a .314 team average, which Shields said was the best of his nine-year tenure as coach at Lenox.

Class 1-A

First Team

Ashley Ewoldt, Sr., Charter Oak-Ute; Emilee Meadows, Sr., Charter Oak-Ute; Lauren Mahlberg, Sr., Glidden-Ralston; Morgan Christner, Sr., New London; Haylee Fortune, So., Wayne; Jamie Jordan, Sr., Martensdale-St. Marys; Lexi Binder, Sr., Lawton-Bronson; Carley DeRoin, Sr., Westwood; Katie Johnson, Sr., Akron-Westfield; Jordan Wilken, Sr., Newell-Fonda; Breianna Klein, Fr., Murray; Autumn McDanel, Sr., Moravia; Kayla Wookey, Fr., Murray; Johanna Vaske, Sr., Algona Garrigan; Taylor Graven, Jr., North Butler; Lily Liekweg, Fr., Janesville; Courtney Cooper, Jr., Kee; Taylor Huber, Sr., Alburnett; Kendra Cooper, So., Kee; Kaci Sherwood, Jr., Martensdale-St. Marys; Ann Hedlund, Jr., Akron-Westfield; Makenna Thomas, Jr., River Valley; Kylie Sherwood, So., Martensdale-St. Marys.

Coach of the year: Elizabeth Hill, Kee.

Second Team

Paige McElfish, Jr., Nodaway Valley; Sophia Peppers, So., Exira-EHK; Mandy Meseck, Jr., Charter Oak-Ute; Quinn Sheldon, Sr., Sidney; Demi Austin, Jr., Wayne; Bailey Davis, Jr., Akron-Westfield; Abby Smith, Sr., Newell-Fonda; Jenna Knaack, Sr., River Valley; Riley Jewett, Fr., Seymour; Amy Russell, Jr., Colfax-Mingo; Kasiah Ehresman, Sr., Lynnville-Sully; Kindra Welter, So., Don Bosco; Shelby Low, Sr., Northwood-Kensett; Marissa Norby, So., Rockford; Charlie Hamilton, So., Calamus-Wheatland; Maddison Volesky, Sr., Alburnett; Abbie Young, Sr., AGWSR; Olivia Baxa, Sr., Lisbon; Hannah Sweet, Fr., Martensdale-St. Marys; Keeley Steffen, Sr., Woodbury Central; Morgan Straight, Sr., Belle Plaine; Kate Maschmann, Sr., Montezuma; Katie Banowetz, Jr., Calamus-Wheatland.

Third Team

Kylee Glennie, Sr., West Harrison; Shantelle Brown, Jr., Lenox; Carson McSorley, So., New London; Payton Ahrenstorff, Fr., Harris-Lake Park; Danika Tindall, Jr., Akron-Westfield; Carlye Patterson, Sr., Westwood; Lindsey Davis, Sr., Cardinal; Brandi Gilbert, Jr., Murray; Sami Mealy, Jr., DM Grandview Christian; Marcy Jacobs, So., North Butler; Abbie Frost, Sr., Don Bosco; Kennedy Miester, So., Janesville; Veronica Coghlan, Jr., Central City; Marissa Schroeder, Jr., Bellevue Marquette; Alana Groninga, Jr., AGWSR; Kendall Streigle, Jr., Sigourney; Kelsey Hovey, Sr., Algona Garrigan; Payton Goettsch, Sr., River Valley; Brenna Lanser, Jr., Lynnville-Sully; Amber Hall, Sr., BGM; Madison Gonseth, Sr., Murray; Andee Martin, Fr., Lawton-Bronson; Autum Barthelman, So., Sigourney.

Area honorable mention:

Class 2-A

First Team

Abby Straight, Sr., Logan-Magnolia; Kylan Straight, So., Logan-Magnolia; Abbey Youngren, Sr., IKM-Manning; Kennedy Brown, Sr., Iowa City Regina; Sarah Lehman, Jr., Iowa City Regina; Jasmine Lawson, Sr., Durant; Shannon Telsrow, Sr., Durant; Lily Peterson, So., Alta-Aurelia; Micayla Ter Wee, Sr., West Lyon; Bailey Richards, Sr., Van Meter; Carlyn Stanley, Jr., Interstate 35; Casey Jamison, Sr., Van Meter; Dalaney Bice, Sr., Woodward-Granger; Taylor Navratil, Sr., Central Springs; Sarah Rolling, Sr., North Union; Hannah Ausenhus, Fr., Central Springs; Lynsey Dolphin, Sr., Cascade; Kelsey Hora, Jr., Highland; Olivia Callaway, Sr., BCLUW; Taylor Hogan, Fr., Waterloo Columbus; Anna Ingalls, Jr., North Union; Randyn Carter, Jr., Louisa-Muscatine.

Coach of the year: James Flaws, Van Meter

Second Team

Megan Wilson, So., Logan-Magnolia; Cathy Ralfs, Jr., Durant; Hannah Happ, Fr., Durant; Cheyann Adamson, Sr., Highland; Jayden Wolter, Sr., Denver; Krayton Allen, So., Sumner-Fredericksburg; Delali Loecker, 8th, Ogden; Abby Kraemer, Fr., Alta-Aurelia; Abbie Klatt, 8th, Okoboji; Dion Shirley, Sr., Van Meter; Kami Wheelock, So., Ogden; Kate Stanley, Fr., Interstate 35; Alex Jensen, Fr., Jesup; Naomi Nuss, Sr., Sumner-Fredericksburg; Jordyn Beeghly, Jr., BCLUW; Taylor Hipsley, So., Earlham; Kelsie Willert, Sr., St. Ansgar; Brooke Snider, So., West Marshall; Lily Castle, 8th, Mason City Newman; Anna Dietrich, So., Central Springs; Elisa Noa, So., Wapello; Haegon Boyer, Jr., Eddyville-Blakesburg.

Third Team

Sarah Duysen, Sr., Treynor; Peyton Gross, So., IKM-Manning; Megan Kublik, Sr., Wilton; Jillian Dunn, Jr., Mason City Newman; Taylor Buchheit, So., South Winneshiek; Annika Wall, So., Jesup; Noelle Green, Jr., Cascade; Kate Shannon, Fr., Waterloo Columbus; Mallory Steege, So., Denver; Bailey Lukavsky, Sr., West Branch; Elizabeth Van Manen, Jr., Pella Christian; Andie Sowers, So., Pleasantville; Cede Byrnes, Sr., Lake Mills; Maddie Mashek, Fr., Louisa-Muscatine; Rachel Supple, Sr., North Linn; Emily Wintz, Sr., Okoboji; Darma Tripp, Jr., Sioux Central; Anna Christians, Sr., Orange City Unity Christian; Becky Harms, Sr., MFL-Mar-Mac; Meredith Olson, Sr., Panorama; Kelli Gleason, Jr., Hinton; Kylie Vant Hul, Sr., Hull Western Christian.

Area honorable mention: Shai Major, Jr., Interstate 35; Riley Morris, Jr., Interstate 35.

Class 3-A

First Team

Alexis Handel, So., Atlantic; Amber Fiser, Sr., Benton Community; Alyssa Wiebel, Sr., Benton Community; Sydney Lawson, Sr., Solon; Libby Ryan, Jr., Mount Vernon; Nicole Timmons, Jr., Davenport Assumption; Aleenah Marcucci, Sr., Northeast; Monika Bevans, Sr., Solon; Bailee Newman, Sr., Spirit Lake; Kaitlyn Van Der Zwagg, So., Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley; Hannah Kelley, So., Davenport Assumption; Amber Kral, Sr., Mid-Prairie; Alex Rath, Sr., Mid-Prairie; Payge Jurgens, Sr., CMB; Vanessa Bakley, Jr., Clarke; Mackenzie Thate, Sr., Spirit Lake; Cassie Van Beek, Jr., Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley; Bryn Hanrahan, Jr., Solon; Kelli Engelken, Jr., Dyersville Beckman; Casidy Dondiego, So., Northeast; Peyton Parker, Jr., Union; Daryn Nowlin, Jr., Central Decatur.

Coach of the year: Eric Stenberg, Benton Community

Second Team

Ally Anderson, So., Atlantic; Bailey Nichols, Sr., Carroll Kuemper; Emma Valainis, Jr., Davenport Assumption; Shelby Hulsebus, So., Benton; Rebecca Rimathe, Jr., North Polk; Sydnee Redman, Jr., Clarke; Sammy Moss, Fr., Mount Vernon; Claire Chandler, Jr., Center Point-Urbana; Katelyn Banning, Jr., Center Point-Urbana; Jess Heick, Jr., Solon; Lexi Riggell, Jr., Centerville; Angie Gorkow, Fr., Benton Community; Sophie Van Severen, Jr., Davenport Assumption; Amber Boeckenstedt, Jr., Dyersville Beckman; Abbey Kahler, Jr., CMB; Lexie Berry, Sr,, East Sac County; Megan Gavin, Sr., North Fayette Valley; Beth Duffield, Jr., Humboldt; Sonya McCormick, Sr., Monticello; Allie Massner, Sr., Mediapolis; Lyndsay Bianchi, Jr., Saydel; Morgan White, So., Estherville-LC.

Third Team

Merrin VanVelzen, Jr., Sergeant Bluff-Luton; Macy Akers, Fr., West Liberty; Carlie Samon, 8th, Davenport Assumption; Anna Stenberg, Jr., Benton Community; Lily Dahlstrom, Sr., Mount Vernon; Mikayla Houge, 8th, CMB; Nicole Zuber, So., Williamsburg; Hannah Isley, So., Albia; Sydney Steffen, Fr., Dyersville Beckman; Alex Beard, 8th, Albia; Hailey Louw, So., Roland-Story; Olivia Brecht, So., Center Point-Urbana; McKenna Miller, Jr., Solon; Jessica Harald, Jr., Sioux Center; Autumn Radig, Sr., Pocahontas Area; Kelsey Carder, Sr., Northeast; Kamie Crum, Sr., Cherokee; Jayci Vos, Jr., PCM; Taylor Tague, Sr., Saydel; Hailey Daufeldt, Sr., West Liberty; Bailea Yahnke, Fr., Davis County; Cassy Miller, Jr., Hampton-Dumont.

Class 4-A

First Team

Sara Ingoldsby, Jr., Glenwood; Logan Schaben, Sr., Harlan; Macy Johnson, Jr., Winterset; Molly Jacobson, Sr,. ADM; Kristen Wegmann, Sr., West Delaware; Gabby Schnathorst, Sr., Carlisle; Madisen Blackford, Jr., DM Hoover; Kelsey Aikey, Sr., Waverly-Shell Rock; Dianna Slight, Jr., Boone; Alexis Westercamp, Jr., Oskaloosa; Bailey Johnson, Jr., Mount Pleasant; Kylee Silliman, Sr., Oskaloosa; Carrie Chambers, Sr., Knoxville; Alexis Groet, Jr., Oskaloosa; Regan Thompson, Sr., Winterset; Sydney Jenkins, Sr., Newton; Sara Tallman, Sr., Pella; Alyx Witt, So., Norwalk; Kaylee Watson, Jr., Fairfield; Michaela Davis, So., Keokuk.

Coach of the year: Jay Harms, Oskaloosa

Second Team

Ashtyn Miller, So., Lewis Central; McKena Duffek, Sr., Lewis Central; Taylor Briley, Sr., Creston; Lexie Stolen, Jr., Sioux City Heelan; Rachel Lowary, Jr., Dallas Center-Grimes; Taylor Goode, Sr., Norwalk; Madison Carpenter, Sr., Dallas Center-Grimes; Agatha Beier, Jr., Carlisle; Breanna Hunter, Sr., Boone; Danny Barker, So., Winterset; Mackenzie Lose, Sr., Carlisle; Kenady Waugh, Jr., Fairfield; Emma Olejniczak, Jr., Perry; Shae Etherington, Sr., Charles City; Jess Machovec, Sr., Central DeWitt; Katelyn Mangold, Jr., West Delaware; Jaylie Reints, Jr., Waverly-Shell Rock; Aubrey Miller, Jr., Oskaloosa; Mackenzie Pezley, Jr., Keokuk.

Third Team

Allie Wolf, Sr., Lewis Central; Alli Thomsen, Sr., Creston; Lauren Calkins, So., Boone; Claire Navara, Jr., Clear Creek-Amana; Maci Griffith, Sr., Vinton-Shellsburg; Taylor Wigenbusch, Sr., Western Dubuque; Mackenzie Hupke, Fr., Independence; Ricki Hall, Sr., Knoxville; Shannan Jones, Sr., ADM; Cortney Joiner, Sr., Carlisle; Hailey Saunders, Jr., Central DeWitt; Jenni King, Sr., Mason City; Maleah Georgen, Jr., West Delaware; Sydney Nielsen, Fr., Marion; Kaylin Featheringill, Sr., Fort Madison; Charlotte Richards, So., CR Xavier; Katie Langholz, So., CR Xavier; Jenna Price, Sr., Independence; Cassie Ruppert, Jr., Maquoketa.

Class 5-A

First Team

Kendyl Lindaman, Sr., Ankeny Centennial; Taleah Smith, Jr., Iowa City West; Sarah Schaefer, Jr., Waukee; Jaclyn Spencer, Sr., Waterloo West; DoniRae Mayhew, Sr., Bettendorf; Skyler Shellmyer, So., Urbandale; Adara Opiola, Sr., Iowa City West; Brooke Wilmes, Jr., Johnston; Haylee Towers, Sr., Johnston; Mandi Roemmich, Sr., WDM Valley; Tianna Drahn, Sr., CR Kennedy; Allison Doocy, Sr., Ankeny; Brooke Sandstoe, Sr., Johnston; Jasmine Lara, Sr., Pleasant Valley; Avery Guy, Sr., CR Jefferson; Mackenzie Ward, Jr., WDM Valley; Olivia Brooks, Sr., Ankeny.

Coach of the year: Todd Merical, Johnston

Second Team

Sydney Tigges, Sr., Dubuque Senior; Rachel Stewart, Jr., Davenport West; Mia Ruther, Jr., Burlington; Ashley Hamilton, Jr., CR Kennedy; Ellie Spelhaug, So., Pleasant Valley; Peyton Daugherty, So., Ankeny; Kenzie Hilzer, Sr., Southeast Polk; Bella Crow, Jr., Urbandale; Lexi Merritt, Sr., WDM Valley; Ellie Hammack, Sr., Ottumwa; Shay Witte, Sr., Waukee; Erin Kuba, Sr., CR Jefferson; Allison Yoder, So., Urbandale; Megan Weber, Jr., CR Kennedy; Maggie Harvey, Jr., Fort Dodge; Natalie Halvorson, Jr., CR Prairie; Mercedes Worsfold, Sr., Johnston.

Third Team

Allison Lester, Sr., Sioux City East; Lexy Monty, Jr., Davenport West; Kennedy Dighton, Jr., CR Jefferson; Sydney Sickles, So., Indianola; Jessi Butler, Jr., Muscatine; Alexia Lara, So., Pleasant Valley; Lexi Smith, Sr., Bettendorf; Alex Honnold, 8th, WDM Valley; Brylee Klosterman, 8th, Iowa City West; Kacy Nickerson, 8th, Ottumwa; Abby Gehringer, Sr., Indianola; Morgan Krug, So., Dubuque Hempstead; Kate Menz, Sr., Waukee; Daphne Alstott, Fr., Fort Dodge; Hallie Ketcham, So., WDM Dowling; Logan Akason, So., Waukee; Elison Ollinger, Jr., Linn-Mar.