Several area players were named to the Sports in Kansas all-state softball teams announced Tuesday.
Hays High junior Aubrey Thomas is named 5A first team All-State by Sports in Kansas. Riley Dreher and Dezerea Schmidt are honorable mention picks… Kaydawn Haag of Ellis and TMP-Marian’s Brooke Koeningsman are first team in 2-1A. The Monarchs Jaci VonLintel and the Railers Myah McCoy and Hannah Schiel are on the second team.
Sports in Kansas Release
Sports in Kansas has released its annual list (since 2012) of all-state softball player honors along with coach of the year honors. Every KSHSAA team in Kansas is eligible for our honors (this is a media selection list – not to be confused with the coaches association list which is limited to only member coaches teams & their voting).
Our lists represent every league in the state and nearly every school with some type of representation. Input from media members across the state determine picks, other factors include competition, team success, stats, and all-league.
The lists are voted on after the completion of the season with final input/capsules from Chet Kuplen and Bethany Bowman. Conor Nicholl provides Sports in Kansas with regular season softball notes and postseason capsules. This is not a recruiting list nor is it based on summer softball, showcases, based only on the 2023 KSHSAA season.
2023 SPORTS IN KANSAS SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR & COACH OF THE YEAR CAPSULES BY CLASS
Sports in Kansas All-Classes & 6A Softball Player of the Year: Madison Walker, Olathe West, Sr.
Walker led Olathe West to the 6A state title with her dominance at the plate. She hit .659 with a .688 on base percentage and 1.545 slugging percentage. Of her 58 hits on the year, 39 were extra base – 18 doubles, 3 triples, and 18 HR. She drove in 71 runs for the Owls and scored 50 herself while striking out just once all season. Walker was successful in all four of her stolen base attempts and posted a fielding percentage of .987 with just one error. Walker now sets her sights on SEC play as she joins the Mizzou Tigers to play collegiately.
Sports in Kansas 6A Softball Pitcher of the Year: Emmerson Cope, Washburn Rural, Sr.
Cope, who repeats as 6A Pitcher of the Year, put in some serious work in the circle in her senior season, pitching 110 innings. She went 14-3 with a 1.5 ERA, only allowing opponents to hit .177 against her. Cope was just as productive at the plate, hitting .577 with 15 HR on the year. She drove in 43 runs for the Junior Blues, drew 24 walks, and struckout just twice all season long as Washburn Rural finished 6A state runner-up. Next up for Cope is Big 10 softball with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Sports in Kansas 6A Softball Coach of the Year: Cynthia Adams, Olathe West
Adams and the Owls made the most of their first trip to state in just the fifth year of the program’s existence by taking home the state title. Adams, a former Gatorade Player of the Year herself out of Bishop Miege and Wichita State softball standout, led Olathe West to a 24-1 record. The Owls defeated Olathe North, Derby, and Washburn Rural for the 6A state championship.
Sports in Kansas 5A Softball Player of the Year: Lucy Hooper, Valley Center, Sr.
Hooper repeats as 5A Player of the Year as she helped the Hornets capture back-to-back 5A state titles with her .615 average this season. She tallied 11 doubles with 22 RBI and scored 53 runs in her final season with VC. She also recorded 20 stolen bases and drew 20 walks. Defensively, the senior infielder posted a .935 fielding percentage. Hooper heads to the Big 10 next to play collegiately for the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.
Sports in Kansas 5A Pitcher of the Year: Taylor Cruse, Basehor Linwood, Sr. & Araceli Rivas, Salina South, Sr.
Cruse was part of a group of seniors that went 67-8 over the last three seasons. The Ohio State signee was 10-1 in the circle this season along with hitting over .500 with six homers and 29 RBI. Cruse was also a first team all-state selection last season from Sports in Kansas. Rivas led 5A in strikeouts this season with 258 along with picking up a first-round win at the state tournament. She was the AVTCL-I pitcher of the year.She had 30 striekouts in the two regional wins, which included a win over then ranked #3 Kapaun Mt. Carmel. She also upset Basehor Linwood (2-1) in the state quarterfinals as her team finished fourth in 5A this season.
Sports in Kansas 5A Softball Coach of the Year: Corey Jones, Valley Center
Longtime head coach Corey Jones, in his 18th season, led the Hornets to a second straight 5A state crown this season. Valley Center finished the season 23-2 and took down Pittsburg, Salina South, and Goddard-Eisenhower to become back-to-back 5A state champions.
Sports in Kansas 4A Player of the Year: Ashten Pierson, Wamego, Sr.
The senior shortstop led the Lady Raiders to the 4A state title with her .551 batting average at the plate and .957 fielding percentage on defense. Pierson drove in 27 runs and scored 32 herself while blasting four home runs on the year. She struck out just twice in her senior season and swiped 15 bags for Wamego. Pierson now heads to D1 Creighton University to continue her career in the Big East.
Sports in Kansas All-Classes & 4A Pitcher of the Year: Peyton Hardenburger, Soph.
Hardenburger, a sophomore, was a perfect 11-0 in the circle this season for the 4A state champion Lady Raiders with a phenomenal .184 ERA. She struckout 182 in 76 innings and threw five no-hitters on the season. Opponents hit just .075 against her. Hardenburger was a big part of the Lady Raiders’ offense too, hitting .500 with eight doubles, two triples, two home- runs, and 22 RBI. Hardenburger was also the all-classes pitcher of the year after her two no hitters on championship Friday in the semifinals and finals. It’s hard to top the postseason that Hardenburger had in the history of high school pitching in the state of Kansas.
Sports in Kansas 4A Softball Coach of the Year: Luke Meyer, Wamego
Meyer led the Lady Raiders to a 20-1 record and the second state title in three seasons. He is in his 5th season at the helm. Since the 2020 Covid canceled season, Meyer has posted an impressive 63-8 record with Wamego. The Red Raiders defeated Rock Creek, Eudora, and McPherson for this year’s state title.
Sports in Kansas 3A Player of the Year: Kaelee Washington, Santa Fe Trail, Jr.
Washington, who was last seasons pitcher of the year in 3A was every bit as impressive on offense this year as her pitching so she isn’t being just honored as a pitcher this year, shes taking home top honors as the best overall two-way player in 3A this season for 3A state runner-up Sante Fe Trail. A two-way star for the Chargers, she went 14-2 in the circle, pitching 112 innings this season and striking out 254. Washington posted a .812 ERA and opponents hit just .113 against her. Offensively, she hit .530 with 12 doubles, six triples, and four home runs. 30 runs batted in were attributed to Washington as well as 37 runs scored. Washington is staying in state to play softball for the University of Kansas next season.
Sports in Kansas 3A Pitcher of the Year: Brinley Dyche, Rossville
Dyche had a huge senior season in leading Rossville to a state championship in 3A. She had five shutouts on the year along with 105 strikeouts with a 11-3 record in what many say is the most competitive top to bottom division of softball in the state. Dyche also played against against one of, if not, the best schedule in 3A. Rossville split with 4A champion Wamego, beat SFT twice this season and knocked out Silver Lake in the regionals. They also had St. Marys and Rock Creek on their schedule in the regular season. Dyche picked up all three wins at the 2023 state tournament.
Sports in Kansas 3A Softball Coach of the Year: John Nitsch, Rossville
A Bulldawg alum, Nitsch led Rossville to the program’s first state title since 2000. He has coached softball at some level for 25+ years. Rossville took 4th at state in 2022. Finishing 20-4 overall this season, Rossville defeated Columbus, Southeast of Saline, and Santa Fe Trail for the 3A state championship.
Sports in Kansas 2-1A Player of the Year: Dani Lee, McLouth Soph.
Lee, just a sophomore, helped McLouth softball claim its first ever state title. She excelled at both the plate and in the circle, hitting .620 with 27 extra base hits. She logged 11 home runs and drove in 62 runs. In the circle, Lee struckout 118 and walked only six in 51 innings pitched. She gave up just one earned run on the year, making her ERA an incredible .137.
Sports in Kansas 2-1A Pitcher of the Year: Corissa Bandel, McLouth Sr.
Bandel, a senior, pitched 74 innings and led 26-0 McLouth to wins in all 14 of her starts in the circle. She struck out 169 on the year while giving up 15 hits, six earned runs, and three walks. Bandel was also a big part of the offense, hitting .447 with 14 RBI, scoring 44 runs, and stealing 26 bases. She will continue her softball career collegiately at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Sports in Kansas All-Classes 2-1A Softball Coach of the Year: Ballard Patterson, McLouth
Patterson, who has been at McLouth since 1992, including 15-plus as head softball coach, led the Bulldogs to a perfect 26-0 record. In 2019, McLouth renamed the softball complex “Patterson Field,” a tribute to Patterson’s tremendous impact on the program. McLouth defeated Hillsboro, Ell Saline, and St. Marys in the 2-1A state tournament for the crown.
2023 Sports in Kansas 5A All-State Softball
First Team
P- Taylor Cruse, Basehor Linwood, Sr.
P- Tori Turner, Valley Center, Sr.
P- Aracelli Rivas, Salina South, Sr.
P- Audrey Rumsey, Eisenhower Sr.
IF- Maci George, Valley Center, Sr.
IF- Aspen Burgardt, Seaman, Sr.
IF- Lucy Hooper, Valley Center, Sr.
IF- Kory Schoenfeld, Bishop Carroll, Sr.
IF- Mila Seaton, Basehor Linwood, Sr.
IF- Maci George, Valley Center, Sr.
OF- Isabella Rollo, Basehor Linwood, Sr.
OF- Gabby Salazar, Piper, Jr.
OF- Aubree Thomas, Hays, Jr
OF- Aubrey Perry, Valley Center, Fr.
C- Karlee Ford, Eisenhower, Jr.
C- Kylie Brockman, Piper, Sr.
Util/DP- Cambpell Riordan, Bishop Carroll Jr.
Util/DP- Megan Johnston, Pittsburg, Soph.
Util/DP- Sykora Smith, Valley Center, Sr.
Second Team
P-Allyson Orth, Bishop Carroll, Fr.
P- Addison Hassett, Bonner Springs, Jr.
P- Brielle Dee, Spring Hill, Sr.
P- Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights, Soph.
P- Kaelyn O’Rourke, Seaman, Soph.
P- Karli George, Eisenhower, Soph.
IF- Kennedy Topping, Maize, Sr.
IF- Sage Grann, Piper, Jr.
IF- Lainie Burkhart, Eisenhower, Sr.
IF- Ayanna Jennings, Ark City, Sr.
IF- Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights, Soph.|
IF- Mya January, Spring Hill, Jr.
IF- Kali Terry, Pittsburg, Jr.
OF- Maci Kratzer, Maize South, Sr.|OF- Paige Glasgow, Seaman, Jr.
OF- Ainslea Cross, Valley Center, Sr.
OF- Brodie Christenson, Andover, Soph.
OF- Lauren McNaught, Eisenhwoer, SR.
OF- Lily Martin, Bishop Carrell, Soph.
C- Kiersten Jones, Bishop Carroll, Fr.
C- Maddie Burdick, Pittsburg, Jr.
C- Lizzy Lassley, Maize South, Soph.
Util/DP- Grace Rose, Basehor Linwood, Sr.
Util/DP- Madi Jennings, Ark City, Jr.|
Util/DP- Wren VanCleave, Bonner Springs, Sr.
Sports in Kansas Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention
Marisa Johnston – De Soto, Teelie Super – Bonner Springs, Roary Hunziker – Pittsburg, Karli George – Eisenhower, Sophie Stockham – Maize South, Brynley Smith – Maize, Maia Djourvic – Maize, Camdyn Stucky – Maize South, Jenna Sokoll – Maize South, Grace Swart – Maize, Lauren Davis – Hutchinson, Abby Koontz – Newton, Addison Copeland – Salina South, Sadie Marciano – Hutchinson, Reese Mczcord – Newton, Maliyah Koster – Salina South, Madlilynn Crough – Salina Central, Khloe Perkins – Goddard, Kaylee Facis – Andover Central, Natalie Klenda – Goddard, Haley Ziser – Andover, Kennedy Johnson – Valley Center, Taverli Tennant – Ark City, Sadie Bowyer – Goddard, Ally Hamblin – Goddard, Tyler Vidricksen – Salina Central, Riley Baber – BV Southwest, Kelsie Schenk – Aquinas, Gianna Lickel – St. James, Bailey Webber- BV Southwest, Charlotte Teddy – Aquinas, Annika Jaworski – Aquinas, Riley Kerwin – St. James, Karter Skillman – BV Southwest, Sophie Lipp – Aquinas, Myah Price – St. James, Megan White – Kapaun, Kylie Cartwright – Kapaun, Charlie Hoffman – Kapaun, Isabella Pfannenstiel – Bishop Carroll, Koralee Jones – Highland Park, Mya Russell – Pittsburg, Marisa Johnson – DE Soto, Adamda Knutson – Basehor Linwood, Ally Millard – Shawnee Heights, Jayden Hanna – Turner, Jersey Jellison – Seaman, Emma Moppin – Piper, Maddie Reynolds – De Soto, Ashlynn Jaccard – Lansing, Addison Callaway – Lansing, Ainsley Yoakam – Lansing, Paradise Wright – Leavewworth, Abbie Richards – Basehor Linwood, Rosalie Schnieer – Seaman, Karlyn Bowman – Shawnee Heights, DeShawna Bryant – Great Bend, Riley Dreher – Hays, Dezarae Schmidt – Hays, Paige Thexton – Great Bend, Kaleigh Small – Basehor Linwood, Mallory Pabst – Eisenhower, Brookelyn Webb- Salina South, Baylee Brin – Salina South, Emily Anderson – Salina South, Madison Yost – Salina South, Lily Bartley – Salina South, Delaney Hill – Spring Hill, Nora Burrell – Spring Hill, Olivia Farley – Spring Hill, Emma Taylor – Valley Center.
2023 Sports in Kansas 2-1A All-State Softball
First Team
P- Corissa Bandel, Mclouth, Sr.
P- Paityn Engemann, Troy, Sr.
P- Lily SInghdillon, St. Marys, Sr.
P- Pilar Cox, Bluestem, Soph.
P- Shelby Underwood, NE-Arma, Jr.
P- Gracee Willard, Jayhawk Linn, Sr.
IF- Kaydawn Haag, Ellis, Jr.
IF- Aydin Deeter, Lyndon Jr.
IF- Brooke Koenigsman, TMP, Soph.
IF- Jillian Holwick, McLouth, Sr.
IF- Emerson Weber, Troy, Soph.
OF- Keyauna Worrell, Bluestem, Jr.
OF- Harper Whetstine, Troy, Fr.
OF- Cresinda Bandel, McLouth, Soph.
C- Sophia Reyes, Bluestem, Jr.
C- Anna Patz, McLouth, Jr.
C- Kyplee Jacobson, Mission Valley, Soph.
C- Halie Feikert, Bucklin, Sr.
Util/DP- Dani Lee, McLouth, Soph.
Util/DP- Avery Stindt, Republic County, Sr.
Util/DP- Akyra Traver, MDCV, Fr.
Second Team
P-Jhayla Alogjacin, Medicine Lodge, Jr.
P- Shay Toon, West Elk, Sr.
P- Emily Durst, Moundridge, Sr.
P- Sydney Sorum, Flinthills, Jr.
IF- Jaci VonLinten, TMP, Sr.
IF- Madison Holt, Sedan, Sr.
IF- Allie Wesley, Bluestem, Sr.|
IF- Melany Chrisjohn, Central Heights, Sr.
IF- Erykah Hayes, Central Heights, Sr.
IF- Adi Alcala, Canton-Galva, Fr.
IF- Callie Holt, Jayhawk Linn, Soph.
IF- Myah McCoy, Ellis, Sr.
IF- Taelor Hardesty, Ell Saline, Soph.
OF- Lani Richards, Ell Saline, Sr.
OF- Bailey Brockus, Central Heights, Sr.
OF- Paige Martin, Mission Valley, Sr.
C- Lexi Yarnell, NE-Arma, Soph.
C- Renay Myers, Valley Falls, Jr.
C- Hannah Schiel, Ellis, Jr.
C- Brenna Smith, St. Marys, Jr.
Util/DP- Kim Garcia, Spearville, Sr.
Util/DP- Mieka Crump, Central Heights, Sr.
Util/DP- Catherine Moylan, St. Marys, Sr.
Sports in Kansas 2-1A All-State Honorable Mention
Bridget Mohr – Bluestem, Halle Studer – Riverside, Kori Arnold – Hillsboro, Josie Walker – Belle Plaine, Ava Wilson – Colgan, Olivia Brill – Colgan, Madyson Kraus – Mission Valley, Aracely Crump – Central Heights, Gabby Norris – Ell Saline, Maya Werner – Sedgwick, Kindall Elmore – Moundridge, Carley Willhelm – Marion, Ella Bowling – Remington, Brin Hecker – Ell Saline, Tessa Mendoza – Marion, Morgan Williams – Sedgwick, Aubree Durst- Moundridge, Joee Hurley – Inman, Breane Williams -Marion, Bella Brillhart – Elkhart, Hallie Waldron – Stanton County, Alexandra Crook – Burlingame, Abi Jones – Lebo/Waverly, Grace Simmons – Burlingame, Saige Hadley – Lebo/Waverly, Olivia Lacey – MDCV, Joselyn Simmons – Burlingame, Kate Wagner – Lebo/Waverly, Brooklyn Jones – Lebo/Waverly, Isabelle Masters – Burlingame, Jenna Moon – Burlingame, Drew Haag – Southern Lyon Co., Ava Meinhardt – Wabaunsee, Haidyn Fink – St. Marys, Annie Wright – Wabaunsee, Maegan Torrey – Sacred Heart, Elizabeth Subelka – Jeff County North, Maddie Forant – Jeff County North, Baylee Kern – Pleasant Ridge, Korie Kirkwood – Valley Falls, Lydia Turner – Oskaloosa, Mya King – Oskaloosa, Somer Wyatt – Oskaloosa, Anna Westhoff – Colgan, Kelsi Ko – Pleasant Ridge, Elizabeth Holloway – McLouth, Jordan Piche – Pleasant Ridge, Meryn Came – Ell Saline, Cassidy Bernhardt – Hillsboro, Keeley Brewer – Hillsboro, Keitra Edwards – Hillsboro, Kirsten Kluver – Hillsboro, Sophia Bain – Oxford, Fayth Catlin – Oxford, Paige Corter – Flinthills, Jacie Cummings – Sedan, Addison Heater – South Sumner, Kayla Knapp – Udall, Ashley Kunath – Sedan, Emily Long – Central Burden, Eva Navrat – Oxford, Laura Scribner – Flinthills, Harlee Town – West Elk, Gracie Webb CV/Dexter, Treva Williams – Oxford, Makaila Gillispie – West Elk, Melody Holt – Sedan, Riley Coulter – Uniontown, J. Harris – St. Paul, Lexi Yarnell – NE Arma, Kenzie Nation – Jayhawk Linn, Callyn Miller – Yates Center, Kylee Johnston – Oswego, Destiny Hagan – NE Arma, Sophia Albertini – St. Paul, Molly Proper – Yates Center, Callie Holt – Jayhawk Linn, Emily Greenway – Uniontown, Kayla Hermreck – Colony-Crest, Skyler Hopper – Erie, Jordan Friesen – Canton-Galva/EC, Jailyn Miller – Little River, Kinsley Wholetz – Little River, Jayden Ortth – Canton Galva/EC, Karsyn Jacobson – Medicine Lodge, Avalon theis – Medicine Lodge, Teresas Collins – Medicine Lodge, Kaycee Singhdhillon – St. Marys, Tawney Krominga – Spearville, Emmerson Kirk – Bucklin.