Panther baseball seniors honored

Recognition for a senior class credited with changing the culture of Creston baseball was a highlight from the team’s awards banquet Sunday evening at the baseball field shelter.

The seniors from the class of 2025 include Camden Smith, Mattias Schultes, Tyler Riley, Brayden Schoon and Parker Varner.

They were freshmen when Phipps took over as head coach. He noted the program had gone 11-22, 4-10 (Covid-shortened season) and 8-21 during their middle school years. The past four seasons have ended in records of 14-16, 14-22, 24-11 and 16-17. The Panthers placed third in the Hawkeye Ten Conference this year at 11-9.

“Our expectations now are winning 20-plus games, competing for the conference championship and making a postseason run,” Phipps said. “This senior class changed the direction of our program. Our standards have changed because of them. They left the program in a better place than they found it, and I’m excited about the future of Creston baseball.”

Phipps acknowledged that 2025 was a season of ups and downs, including a nine-game winning streak between June 4 and June 17, but ending in a seven-game loss string after beating Clarinda 5-2 on June 27. Along the way, two starters were lost from the lineup as sophomore Logan Stehr underwent hip surgery and senior Brayden Schoon reported for football workouts at Iowa Western Community College after starting 26 games.

“It was definitely a season of ebbs and flows, some ups and downs,” Phipps said. “But I consider it a year of growth for our guys coming back next year, and these guys never quit. I’m grateful for the effort of these guys.”

Several honors were announced, including all-conference honors for Varner and sophomores Tom Mikkelsen and Tanner Ray. Varner and Tom Mikkelsen were named to the first team and Ray received honorable mention.

Varner was also named to the first all-district team as a pitcher and Mikkelsen to the second team at utility. He was a catcher, pitcher and outfielder for the Panthers, depending on who was on the mound.

Phipps said Varner was a big part of the pitching rotation and infield for four seasons and ends his athletic career as one of the greats in Panther history. (Varner will attend Iowa State University this fall.)

Varner batted .368 with 25 RBIs and seven extra-base hits. On the mound, he finished 6-3 with a 2.39 ERA, 81 strikeouts, 11 walks, 63 hits allowed and a .239 opponents’ batting average in 67.1 innings.

Varner holds program records in the Varsity Bound era (starting in 2008) for wins in a single season (9), single season innings pitched (69 in 2024), single season strikeouts (81 in 2025), single season ERA (1.52 in 2024), career wins (23), career strikeouts (225), and career ERA (2.72).

“Parker goes into the books as one of the best ever,” Phipps said. “He really focused on improving all parts of his game and as a leader this year. He became a much better hitter for us.”

Riley, a regular outfielder, also holds a school record for single season walks in the Bound era (26 in 2025). Phipps said Riley consistently found a way to get on base and utilize his baserunning skills, and was a dependable defensive player.

Schultes improved as a hitter in the middle of the lineup and moved into a full-time role at first base, except for a few games missed after getting hit in the eye with a foul ball. Schoon was a power-hitting threat (two home runs) as the regular left fielder until reporting to Iowa Western. Smith was a frequent starter at third base.

Phipps also thanked those involved with the concession stand and team meals as well as the spring league. He noted the offseason work the team was allowed to do in the indoor facility owned by Greater Regional Medical Center on New York Avenue, also utilized by Southwestern Community College teams.

Letterwinners

(Years lettered)

Seniors — Camden Smith (2), Mattias Schultes (3), Tyler Riley (3), Parker Varner (4), Brayden Schoon (3).

Juniors — Mark Kasha (1), Gabe Blazek (1), Jameson McDonald (1).

Sophomores — Tanner Ray (3), Rhett Driskell (1), Carlos Page (1), Nico Leppla (1), Cason Scarberry (1), Tom Mikkelsen (3), Garrett Troutwine (1), Layne Sand (1).

Freshmen — Brady McDonald (1), Logan Stehr (1), Landyn Scherer (1).

Eighth grade — Mason Wilson (1).

Participation awards — Rayden Mullin, Durrell Haynes, Ryder Sharp, Hunter Kiley, Dylan Dornack, Allen Reed, Sammy Garrett, Conner Brinner, Vinnie Abel, Damion Bowlby, Harrison Krantz, Riggins Hanson, Owen Bruce, Kade Goins, Colton Decker, Ryder Baird.

Hawkeye Ten All-Academic — Mattias Schultes, Parker Varner, Brayden Schoon.

Hawkeye Ten all-conference — Parker Varner, first team; Tom Mikkelsen, first team; Tanner Ray, honorable mention.

All-District — Parker Varner, pitcher, first team; Tom Mikkelsen, second team, utility.