The junior varsity and varsity softball teams were honored during a dessert banquet Tuesday, June 1, at Andover Lake Park.
Ari Johnson, junior varsity coach, introduced members of the team. They were Hanna Swanson, Jazmine Toribio, Julia Patrick, Madison Miller, Stacey Anderson, Amanda Harvey, Brooklyn Wexell, Maddie Morrison, Hailee Barham, Kayla Wilkinson, Brittney Atchison, Brooke Harman, Patty Brown, Merrisa Brown, Emalee Brink, Andrea Engle and Cassie Herring. Miller and Brink served as co-captains for the team.
The girls were presented letters or certificates and softball pins.
Johnson said a number of thank yous including thanking volunteer coach Karin Brink and varsity coach Lyndsey Jackson.
“We had a great season and lots of fun,” stated Johnson. “We had a record of around 500, which leaves room for improvement next year.”
Four players earned awards for the season. Herring was presented the most improved player award. Wilkinson earned the Spartan Spirit Award. Wexell was presented the junior rookie of the year award. Miller was named the most valuable player of the year and chosen as the best offensive player of the year.
“I am already looking forward to next year,” Johnson stated. “I am hoping everyone who played this year is planning to return.”
Jackson took the floor next to say her thank yous. She thanked the other coaches, parents and players.
Team players were Marina Nuckles, Kylie Speer, Kelsey Speer, Cheyenne Grant-Witt, Cara Carlson, Katie Luallen, Annie Gelaude, Ashley Kruger, Ella Teel, Amanda Kruger, Sammi Stevenson, Sarah Werner, Dani Lessard and Claire Smith. Werner, Grant-Witt, Amanda Kruger and Nuckles served as the squad’s captains.
“This is the third year I have had some of the girls and they have improved so much,” Jackson stated. “We had a very successfully year, a winning year, with a 14-12 season. This team always made things fun and I was really pleased how well they got along.”
The team finished third in the Lincoln Trail Conference this year.
The girls were presented letters or certificates along with softball pins.
Awards were presented to six different players. Nuckles earned the Spartan Spirit Award and Luallen was presented the most improved player award. Kelsey Speer won the varsity rookie of the year award. The best offensive player of the year award went to Ashley Kruger and the best defensive player of the year award went to her sister, Amanda Kruger. Teel and Amanda Kruger were both chosen as the most valuable players of the year.
Lincoln Trail Conference All-Academic Awards were presented to Amanda Kruger, Teel, Stevenson, Ashley Kruger and Nuckles.
Teel, Amanda Kruger and Ashley Kruger were selected as Lincoln Trail Conference First Team players.
