‘Jays softball wins the North title

Girls have won conference titles in three sports

By Casey Krautkramer

The Athens varsity softball team began this season with four straight losses before reeling off 10 consecutive wins until Thursday’s road loss against Auburndale, The long winning streak helped the Bluejays beat last year’s Marawood North Conference champion Phillips twice to finish the conference season with an unblemished 8-0 record.

Bluejays senior Celina Ellenbecker explains how her team was able to turn things around after enduring early season struggles. Athens’ first three losses to start this season were at the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander and its fourth loss was to Stratford on an artificial turf field at Woodside Sports Complex in Mauston.

“The first couple of games were out of our comfort zone because they were inside a dome and on the turf but as soon as we got onto the dirt and grass we were in our comfort zone,” Ellenbecker said. “Everybody started stepping up and doing their job and everything just started to click.”

Athens head softball coach Craig Diedrich was happy his squad won the Marawood North Conference championship this season after just missing out on winning it last season.

“Finishing with an undefeated record of 8-0 in the Marawood North means a great deal for our team,” he said. “Last year, we played Phillips tough only to lose two close games to them and we had to congratulate the Loggers on winning the conference title. This year’s Bluejays softball team earned the Marawood North title in convincing fashion. The girls were ‘Zoned In’ and ‘Focused’ for each and every conference game this year. Our coaching staff is very proud of the conference accomplishments of our team but we recognize there are greater things in store for the talented group of athletes that make up the 2023 Bluejays softball team.”

This year six Athens girl student athletes including Ellenbecker; juniors Jazelle Hartwig, Sophia and Sydney Coker and Addison Lavicka and sophomore Danica Diethelm were members of the school’s varsity volleyball, basketball and softball teams that all won Marawood Conference championships.

“It’s obviously not common to win conference championships in all three sports in the same year but it just goes to show that our hard work is paying off,” Ellenbecker said.

Athens softball currently has a 13-6 overall record this season after Tuesday’s 9-2 road win against Cadott. Danica Diethelm earned the pitching win and junior Paige Westaby finished the game for the save. Senior Elle Gauerke, Lavicka and Sydney Coker each doubled and Gauerke led the Bluejays with three RBIs.

Athens pounded Plainfield Tri-County, 16-3, on Monday at home. Junior McKenzie Belter and sophomore Kyana Janke each doubled for the Bluejays. Sydney Coker led Athens with five RBIs and Belter added three. Celina Ellenbecker earned the pitching win but Westaby and freshman Alyvia Haelhke spent time in the pitcher’s circle.

The Bluejays dismantled the Mondovi Buffaloes, 21-3, in three innings during Saturday’s Gilman-Thorp Slamfest. Danica Diethelm earned the pitching win and Hartwig smacked a triple at the plate. Sophia Coker paced the Bluejays with five RBIs while Ellenbecker and Sydney Coker had three RBIs each. Athens lost to Tomahawk, 10-7, during its second game in Saturday’s Gilman-Thorp Slamfest.

Athens played flat during its 9-1 road loss to Auburndale on Friday. Athens did easily beat Chequamegon, 14-3, in Park Falls on Thursday. Danica Diethelm earned the pitching win. Sophia Coker led the Bluejays with five RBIs and junior Jenna Handschke added three.

The Bluejays conclude their regular season this Thursday, May 18, with a home game at 4:45 p.m. against Marathon, before the team plays a home WIAA Division 5 regional semifinal this Tuesday, May 23.