All-state softball selections
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By LORI GRIFFIN / Lincoln Journal Star
FIRST TEAM SUPER-STATE
P Becca Changstrom, Lincoln Southwest, Jr.
P Paige Policky, Lincoln North Star, Jr.
P Brittany Telecky, Seward, Jr.
C Megan Southworth, Papillion-LV, sr.
IF KK Houser, Southeast, sr.
IF Amanda Neumann, Papillion-LV, sr.
IF Jenny Brown, Millard North, sr.
SS Mariah Montgomery, Ralston, sr.
OF Lindsay Redding, Papillion-LV, sr.
OF Emily Weber, North Star, jr.
OF Ashley Janssen, Southwest, sr.
Util Alex Schmidt, Southwest, so.
Util Molly Negrete, Millard South, sr.
Util Maddy Emshoff, Fillmore Central/E-M, sr.
Captain—Changstrom
SECOND TEAM SUPER-STATE
P Kelli Fisher, Yutan/Mead, fr.
P Karissa Hovinga, Papillion-LV, so.
P Carly Nielsen, Blair, so.
C Amy Baker, Omaha Westside, sr.
IF Danielle Christensen, Millard North, jr.
IF Presley Glaser, Blair, so.
IF Tatum Peery, Seward, jr.
SS Alyssa Greckel, Millard West, jr.
OF Whitney Frederick, Blair, so.
OF Ellen Homan, Omaha Skutt, jr.
OF Devon Reick, Ralston, sr.
Util Alli Catlett, Lincoln Southwest, sr.
Util Kate Erickson, Central City, sr.
Util Taylor Flodman, Waverly, so.
CLASS A ALL-STATE
P Becca Changstrom, Southwest, jr.
P Karissa Hovinga, Papillion-LV, so.
P Paige Policky, North Star, jr.
C Megan Southworth, Papillion-LV, sr.
IF Jenny Brown, Millard North, sr.
IF Danielle Christensen, Millard North, jr.
IF Amanda Neumann, Papillion-LV, sr.
SS Alyssa Greckel, Millard West, jr.
OF Ashley Janssen, Southwest, sr.
OF Lindsay Redding, Papillion-LV, sr.
OF Emily Weber, North Star, jr.
Util Amy Baker, Omaha Westside, sr.
Util Molly Negrete, Millard South, sr.
Util Alex Schmidt, Southwest, so.
Captain—Changstrom
CLASS B ALL-STATE
P Brittany Telecky, Seward, jr.
P Carly Nielsen, Blair, so.
P Kylee Polsley, Omaha Skutt, jr.
C Jordan Rasmussen, Blair, jr.
IF Presley Glaser, Blair, so.
IF Tatum Peery, Seward, jr.
IF Tina Winter, Omaha Skutt, sr.
SS Mariah Montgomery, Ralston, sr.
OF Taylor Fernau, Blair, sr.
OF Ellen Homan, Omaha Skutt, jr.
OF Devon Reick, Ralston, sr.
Util Alicia Armstrong, Beatrice, fr.
Util Taylor Flodman, Waverly, so.
Util Whitney Frederick, Blair, so.
Captain—Telecky.
CLASS C ALL-STATE
P Kelli Fisher, Yutan/Mead, fr.
P Krista Menke, Friend, so.
P Natalie Hauschild, Syracuse, jr.
C Sarah Weber, Milford, sr.
IF Maddy Emshoff, Fillmore Central/E-M, sr.
IF Morgan Hancock, Wahoo, so.
IF Kaylea Kult, Yutan/Mead, jr.
SS Kayla Mohr, Twin River, sr.
OF Sarah Chvatal, Wahoo. jr.
OF Amanda Hart, Yutan/Mead, sr.
OF Caitlin Fehringer, Wayne, fr.
Uti Melanie Baker, Cross County, sr.
Uti Kate Erickson, Central City, sr.
Uti Taylor Dunker, Douglas Co. West, jr.
Co-captains—Emshoff and Fisher
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-STATE
Class A
SENIORS: Megan Kresha, Columbus; Ashley Szelag, Columbus; Krista Wearden, Fremont; Sara Petska, Grand Island; Megan Meyerson, Lincoln East; Kara Scheel, Lincoln East; Brittany Singleton, Lincoln Northeast; Lindsey Cale, Lincoln North Star; Brittany Coufal, Lincoln North Star; Ashley Dunn, Lincoln Southwest; Kelsie Novotny, Millard North; Melissa Blomstedt, Millard South; Jordan Hansen, Millard West; Fantashia Gates-Colbert, Omaha Burke; Emily Heariet, Omaha Burke; Kassie Nurton, Omaha Marian; Krista Honken, Papillion-La Vista; Marlee Petersen, Papillion-La Vista; Becky Dunn, Papillion-La Vista South.
JUNIORS: Vicki Nielsen, Fremont; Mackenzie Tomlin, Grand Island; Mattie Schlake, IKearney; Neleigh Schlake, Kearney; Brook Wiemers, Kearney; Jamie Zillig, Lincoln East; Jamie Peterson, Lincoln North Star; Anna Runge, Millard West, Miranda Fleming, Millard West; Stevie Pospishil, Norfolk; KayCee Miller, Omaha Burke; Morgan McCann, Omaha Burke; Sara Burowiak, Omaha Marian; Shelby Mendlik, Omaha Marian; Shelby Hermson, Omaha Westside; Dani Sandel, Omaha Westside.
SOPHOMORES: Gina Varley, Bellevue West; Matley Jones, Lincoln Southeast; Mallory Noakes, Lincoln Southwest; Jordan King, Millard South; Katy Feichtner, Omaha Marian; Ali Mathewson, Papillion-La Vista South.
FRESHMEN: Emma Rathe, Lincoln High; Kylie Harpst, Lincoln North Star.
Class B
SENIORS: Katie Bonifas, Adams Central; Abby Griffith, Aurora; Ashton Henderson, Aurora; Ali Titus, Aurora; Sami Vincent, Aurora; Liz Schwartz, Beatrice; Trina Kuhnel, Chadron; Nikki Ritzen, Chadron; Teshia Steuben, Columbus Lakeview; Brittany Hunke, Cozad; Laura Beth Hock, Cozad; Amy Dreessen, Elkhorn; Steph Reynolds, Elkhorn; Cassie Waldron, Fairbury; Brianna Weichel, Fairbury; Madison Martinez, Gering; Jennifer Gainerk, Lexington; Lauren Bodfield, Lincoln Pius X; Jackie Champoux, Lincoln Pius X; Jamie Reed, Lincoln Pius X; Danae McCorkle, McCook; Kali Lyons, McCook; Kelly Olsufka, Northwest; Laura Allen, Omaha Gross; Jamie Fox, Omaha Gross; Shelbi Parr, Omaha Gross; Kim Wees, Omaha Gross; Chrissy Molacek, Omaha Mercy; Becky Kubiaczyk, Plattsmouth; Julia Rubek, Ralston; Kaylyn Land, Scottsbluff; DeNae Quijas, Scottsbluff; Hailee Wilson, Scottsbluff; Kaitlin Wright, Seward; Christina Hansen, York.
JUNIORS: Tess Moyer, Aurora; Kayla Randel, Beatrice; Daleigh Fossler, Beatrice; Sarah Rome, Blair; Brooke Grant, Chadron; Taylor Callahan, Chadron; Macey Gronenthal, Columbus Lakeview; Kenzie Helmink, Fairbury; Marissa West, Gering; Haylee Vrbka, Lincoln Pius X; Steph Webb, Lincoln Pius X; Chelsea Glause, Northwest; Erica Hughes, Northwest; Kelsey Huenink, Norris; Demi Devall, O’Neill; Emily Haxton, O’Neill; Rachel Dukich, Omaha Gross; Nikki Derr, Scottsbluff; Kelsey Hoehler, Seward; Amanda Beeson, Waverly; Carly Grenfell, York.
SOPHOMORES: Becky Shafer, Aurora; Carly Henry, Cozad; Dani Marks, Lutheran Northeast; Shelby Kindelin, Plattsmouth; Mara Eemon, Ralston.
FRESHMEN: Teal Anderson, Adams Central; Lacy Westlake, Chadron; Rachel Price, O’Neill.
Class C
SENIORS: Becca Goodwin, Arlington; Megan Schutt, Arlington; Lexie Martin, Ashland-Greenwood; Riley Jelinek, Bishop Neumann; Emily Kmiecik, Bishop Neumann; Mayme Sullivan, Bishop Neumann; Mara Gilbert, Blue Hill; Christina Hubl, Blue Hill; Paige Kolm, Boone Central; Morgan Beckler, Centennial; Jackie Ziemke, Centennial; Cassie Leifeld, Conestoga; Alyssa Thorne, Conestoga; Ariel Thorne, Conestoga; Andrea Schlegelmilch, Cross County; Abby Eggen, Douglas County West; Ashley Fleming, High Plains; Haley Strobel, High Plains; Laura Jeppesen, Milford; Haley Stutzman, Milford; Alex Grow, Minden; Traci Bassinger, Syracuse; Sierra Greve, Southern Valley; Chelsea Jones, Twin River; Alesha Finkey, Wayne; Nicole Rauner, Wayne; Kamrie Roesler, Wilber-Clatonia; Hannah Galloway, Wisner-Pilger;
JUNIORS: Erin Dunklau, Arlington; Jaeden Fox, Ashland-Greenwood; Tessa Klein, Bishop Neumann; Morgan Maly, Bishop Neumann; Lindsay Temme, Boone Central; Rebekka Hammer, Cass County Central; Lindsey Anderson, Central City; Brittney Murdoch, Conestoga; Kaillie Dittmer, Cross County; Chelsea Komenda, David City; Samantha Lampe, Falls City; Jessica Strecker, Falls City; Jenni Kleinschmidt, Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan; Bre Messersmith, Gothenburg; Michala Kalkwarf, Milford; Meredith Roth, Milford; Meri Gross-Rhode, North Bend Central; Shayne Askamit, Syracuse; Melissa Bulin, Thayer Central; Tanya Snyder, Twin River; Riley Hoffart, Wayne; Shannon Jarvi, Wayne; Paige Schmidt, Wisner-Pilger; Shelbi Fisher, Yutan/Mead;
SOPHOMORES: Liz Romans, Ashland-Greenwood; Lisa Kopf, Falls City; Lindsay Eichelberger, Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan; Megan Lawver, Friend; Shelby Eggelston, Gothenburg; Dalena Mensik, North Bend Central; Katie Johnson, Yutan/Mead; Robin Nagle, Yutan/Mead;
FRESHMEN: Lindsay Larson, Cross County; Ashley Ryan, Friend; Shelby Wobken, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder; Caitlin Ohnoutka, Raymond Central; Shelbi Oberhauser, Twin River; Aubrey Voboril, Wahoo; Caitlin Fehringer, Wayne;
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more confused wrote on November 2, 2008 2:56 pm:
Quakes Red Fan of Kelli wrote on November 2, 2008 4:27 pm:
clarifying for more confused.... wrote on November 2, 2008 5:28 pm:
Onlooker wrote on November 2, 2008 7:41 pm:
KK fan - not Mrs. Houser wrote on November 2, 2008 8:58 pm:
lifes not fair wrote on November 2, 2008 9:39 pm:
I agree with you trying to explain to young girls that life isn't always fair, whether it's an oversight or not doesn't matter. There have been others in the past who have been left off the list who had outstanding seasons. The thing to remember is it's high school, it's political and it's life. It will never be fair because humans are involved! But the athlete knows deep down they had an outstanding season and that's all that counts! Now if you read from the other article someone might say you are jealous but this is the truth as we know it. Life isn't fair...learn to deal with it now. "
Congrats to All Players wrote on November 2, 2008 11:06 pm:
Karma wrote on November 3, 2008 9:11 am:
Politics is in all aspects of our lives. It's in our place of work, schools and even our churches. The sooner we relize this and get past it the better we feel, right? Wrong. Sometimes there is simply NOTHING you can do about your kid getting shafted! The only thing you CAN do is encourage your daughter to play that much harder, look within herself to realize that there was nothing she could do but her best and that even though that should have been good enough it wasn't.....this time. See that's the funny thing about all this, Karma is a Beaotch! Some of the world's best athletes were told they weren't good enough, strong enough, stud enough....this was just fuel for their fire!!
So, I am happy for all the deserving players. I am sure all of you believe that you are BUT you all also know of a few girls....some of whom I am writing this to represent, that are equally qualified to get honors but because of the politics of high school sports, didn't get any. Tell them. Tell them. If you know a girl that got over looked don't just be glad you didn't get overlooked tell that girl that you know they deserved it to! That is a true teammate!
No sour grapes just keepin' it real! "
Great post wrote on November 3, 2008 10:58 am:
Bluejay forever wrote on November 3, 2008 11:33 am:
Sure - it's not always fair - but take a look around and you will see that just because you weren't a 1st team Super state selection - doesn't mean you can't take it to the next level and excell. Look at the two "Bears" (I don't know their names-just nicknames- but they beat us by their play) - 2007 grads from Blair (3r Baseman) and Wahoo HS (SS). Both weren't 1st Team All staters during their Senior year in High School - others were listed as better players, but each have gone on to Div. II All Nebraska selections in college as freshmen and left those other, "better players" behind.
College coaches recognize ability and given the chance to show what you can do - talent rises to the top!
Congratuulations to all you young women for your selections - and to those of you thinking you were looked past - good luck and prove the sports writers and HS coaches wrong and show them the missed one!!! "
You said it right wrote on November 3, 2008 12:39 pm:
Parent wrote on November 3, 2008 3:10 pm:
how wrote on November 3, 2008 5:14 pm:
more confused...again wrote on November 3, 2008 7:27 pm:
Response to Karma wrote on November 3, 2008 7:44 pm:
It's sadly funny when looking at area rosters to see that a few of the players have the same last name as the coaches?? Could that be true? Of coarse it's LPS. And those players I was talking about are also, guess what, team captains !!!! That's right it's LPS were are talking about
HA HA , what a way to gain the respect of their peers, and I'm referring to coaches, players and parents alike. You know who you are. Parent politics don't end with the parents, believe me they teach their daughters well. It's like parents detect a weakness in their daughter and send a full arial assault on the player who posses those strengths. And if that doesn't work then "by george I'm going to coach my daughters HS team and take that other player out myself". And all with a smile as wide as the mississippi river.
There are also those coaches who offer up a spot on their team, of coarse from one of the players who are talented and dedicated to her team and have shown moral maturity and doesn't go home at night just to complain about the coach, or her position, or her playing time. The coach offers her playing time to the parent of another player he wants to "transfer" to his school. Wake up certain coaches, things you say and do under the table may come to haunt you, you know who you are.
Parents remember this is, you pay taxes. You have the right to expect the highest moral charactar in your coaches, not to have parent coached high school teams. And you have the right to get rid of AMORALISTIC COACHES. Go to your athletic director, and if you don't get the appro response go to the district office. Don't let any coach or parent make you feel like you need to put up with their crap. "
Player wrote on November 4, 2008 8:29 am:
These coaches say that they put the game into their players hands. After all, we are the ones PLAYING the game. We're the ones that are supposed to be in control. But when things like the All-State list come out, it just shows that the game was never really ever in our hands in the first place.
All I know is that for all those people that told me I would never do anything with this sport, I'm going to prove you wrong. Just wait. "
Cav Lover wrote on November 4, 2008 9:54 am:
Bluejay Forever was, I think, referring to Cassie K - Blair and Sarah G - Wahoo who were selected, as true freshmen, this past spring to the Div. II All Nebraska teams. Both were great High School players, tremendous leaders on their prep teams and overlooked for top echelon honors their junior and senior years. They weren't called All-stars but I believe both were 2nd team Class C all staters. But ask how much they meant to their younger team members and everyone gushes about their talents and passion. They took that and are excelling now in the collegiate ranks.
Prove them wrong PLAYER!! "
k.i.s.s. wrote on November 4, 2008 9:57 am:
Best hitter with a coach who has a degree in public relations
First team:
All the Papio kids
Second team:
All the friends of the Papio coach
Honorable mention:
All the other kids who had coaches that cared enough to nominate them.
See doesn't that make it easier? Why let a minor little thing like skill at the ACTUAL POSITION get in the way??
:) :) :) :) :) :)
On a serious note: Congrats to all the players that got an honor. I know some people have been saying that some of you don't deserve it. Don't listen to them because above all of this hullabaloo you must have done something right to get mentioned. This I know. None of you had ANY control over whether you were nominated or not. So hats off to you and good luck in your future both in school an on the softball field. "
Fan for years wrote on November 4, 2008 12:29 pm:
hullaba loo wrote on November 4, 2008 1:23 pm:
just some input wrote on November 4, 2008 5:34 pm:
I don't know exactly how this list is made. Some are done by coach ballots, some by nomination, and I am certain that some are just politics. This is NOT an easy thing to compile. Padding stats is very real, and it can make a difference. My daughter is a pitcher, and her coach is BRUTAL in his evaluation of her, and what he calls an error vs. a hit. He calls a lot of hits that could easily be called errors, and those result in a direct addition to era. Don't think that one person's opinion does not factor in by seasons end...it does!! But he is consistent, and my daughter has adapted to his methods.
For those of you that are parents, and your hearts are broken for your daughter and her hard work...I feel very sorry for you. I have been where you are, and it is a very difficult situation to deal with. My daughter has been a varsity starter for 4 years, literally carried her team to a couple state tournaments, and 2 solid years in the top 10. Not even an honorable mention. This, her final season, she has finally received some post-season recognition. An earlier post mentioned something about being signed by a college making a difference...well, I agree. By the time all of the press releases were over in June, and all of the local papers make constant reference to the "Future College of Wherever" player, you become a popular, EASY choice, and the coaches who have a vote are looking at you with a "new found respect".
All of these kids deserved some type of recognition, as did many that did not make the list. Being on a winning team is certainly a factor...some athletes just figure out how to win. And that should be rewarded as well. Look at the Heisman...same deal. Fair, maybe not. Reality, absolutely.
The best piece of advice I took from all of these posts.......have the kids vote. Have a players ballot...why not?? But you know what??? I will bet that the list looks a lot like the lists that the coaches turn in.
Hang in there kids and parents. The benefits and rewards of this great game MUST come from a place other than the post season honors. "
So Sad wrote on November 4, 2008 7:25 pm:
Fan wrote on November 4, 2008 11:08 pm:
Coaches - Be very thankful for players who's parents don't call you or email you every day or visvera. Look hard at those players who stand on their own, who appear to have parents who are behind in the background, because those parents have worked just as hard as any to open the RIGHT doors to help their daughter be a better person, teammate and player. But coaches those parents quietly in the background see, hear much more than you know, so in the future show that you all have wisdom and don't get caught in loyalty to certain players or parents for any reason. "
Just Numbers wrote on November 5, 2008 12:50 pm:
There are 28 Class A teams, 38 Class B and 38 Class C teams... awfull lot of games to watch even if you only watched each team once during the six week softball season. (And I do know Lori watches quite a few games as I see here at many different ball parks.) If each of those teams carries 13 girls that is 1,352 girls playing varsity softball. Give them all a round of applause because they deserve it. Now if I am watching all 104 teams play and each team has nine position players that means I have 936 girls I am evaluating for post season honors. Oh wait, I have to pick only the top 13 for super-state (less than 1% of varsity players) and the top 39 for three classes of all-state (4% of starting rosters).
But wait not all of those girls can be all-state caliber (although according to some of you they are) so how does a rational person narrow 1352 kids down to 39 (13 for super-state) if they don't rely upon someone's opinion, tainted stats or not.
So lets assume the top third of all teams send four girls names in for post season awards (140 girls); the next third send in two girls names (70 girls) and the bottom third send in one girl (35 girls). That is 245 girls; now all you experts who watched every game pick the top 13 from just the list of 245 names. Right or wrong it seems to me, one might lean towards the teams that have proven they could post a winning record and/or do well at districts and state. And excuse me if I feel a slight weighting towards a girl when a college coach thinks the kid is good enough to play at the next level. Maybe it's just me but; bias stats or high school coaches opinion aside, that college coaches' endorsement speaks volumes about a kids ability.
Bottom line, there are a lot of deserving kids out there and I for one am glad the sport has grown as big as it has even continuing to add teams after all these years. Would I have picked some different girls; maybe, but that isn't the point.
The fact of the matter is, the papers do the best they can and Lincoln will always be bais towards the Lincoln area kids where as Omaha will be bias towards that area. Personally I view this as a good thing which ultimately gets more kids recognition.
Because of grumpy parents, the papers no longer even list stats until after the season and post season awards. So stop complaining and be happy for all the girls and the little bit of press they do get. And most importantly get out and support the sport, it's the least you can do for the girls that play and the coaches that coach. "
softball coach wrote on November 6, 2008 11:38 am:
just some input wrote on November 6, 2008 11:33 pm:
"Having the girls vote is totally out of the question. Then it would be a popularity contest."
I completely disagree with this part of your post. If you read the input that all of these people are giving, you will find that many of them feel that this is already a popularity contest. There can be rules to the ballot system used.....can't vote for anyone on your own team maybe. I would never have a player ballot replace the current system, do it in addition to the current selection system.
By the way coach, I agree with everything else in your post. "
JB wrote on November 7, 2008 10:19 am:
Whatever wrote on November 7, 2008 10:52 pm:
It isn't fair to her BUT it is just one other thing in a long history of things that will make her stronger and a better player and person. Little consolation for a kid that has put in her all for her team. Her coach knows this and he will have to live with his guilt for a long time.Then again you have to have a conscience to have guilt. "
softball coach wrote on November 8, 2008 12:09 am:
justafan wrote on November 9, 2008 10:06 am:
To all the players that made it congratulations! To those who didn't make it, if you know you gave your best throughout the season, you are still a winner. There just aren't enough spots for everyone and that just the way life is sometimes unfortunately. If you were playing for the right reason your day will come in the future. "
Coaches Lilt wrote on November 11, 2008 8:37 am:
I have coached softball for over 15 years and nothing pleases me more than to see someone, who has put in the extra work with lessons, personal training and just grit - get the respect of their counterparts. When you hear an opponent say you play well or have game - take that to the lock box and store it away.
If you look at all the girls playing college softball - look for the walkons that weren't recruited, that didn't or don't have big scholarships, that weren't Super State selections and I'll show you "teams" that excel. Nebraska examples include Peru St., Wayne St. and Bellevue. Go watch them play ball and learn "how" to play the game!! With Passion. "