Sophia Coker Player of the Year

By Casey Krautkramer

Athens senior softball player Sophia Coker was awarded Marawood North Conference Player of the Year this season. The second baseman played solid defense while slugging for a high percentage at the plate. She helped Athens to an 8-0 conference record and back-to-back Marawood North Conference championships. The Bluejays also won back-to-back WIAA Division 5 regional titles this spring.

Sophia Coker had 81 at-bats while playing in all of Athens’ 23 games. She collected 44 hits including 30 singles, eight doubles, four triples and two home runs. She had 28 RBIs and scored 45 runs. She had a .543 batting average this season.

Twin sisters Sophia and Sydney Coker are unanimous first team Marawood North Conference selections for the second straight season. First baseman Sydney Coker had 72 at-bats in 23 games this season. She also collected 22 hits including 19 singles and three doubles. She had 20 RBIs and scored 21 runs. She had a .306 batting average.

Athens senior shortstop Jazelle Hartwig and junior pitcher Danica Diethelm were awarded unanimous first team Marawood North Conference for the second straight

See NORTH ACCOLADES/ page 12

CLUTCH PLAY- Athens senior second baseman Sophia Coker tags a Phillips base runner out during the team’s 14-4 home win against the Loggers on April 25.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER North accolades

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season. Hartwig was also named first team all-conference in the 2022 season.

Hartwig had 85 at-bats while playing in all 23 games this season. She collected 41 hits including 34 singles, six doubles and a triple. She had 19 RBIs and scored 41 runs. She had a .306 batting average. Diethelm had 64 at-bats in 23 games. She collected 23 hits including 15 singles, two doubles, two triples and four home runs. She had 22 RBIs and scored 22 runs. She had a .359 batting average.

Senior third baseman and left fielder Jenna Handschke was awarded second team Marawood North Conference for the second straight season. She also received honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore. Handschke filled in admirably for senior Addison Lavicka at third base for the majority of this season, while Lavicka waited to be cleared by her doctor to play in games. Handschke had 75 at-bats in 23 games. She collected 27 hits including 18 singles, eight doubles and a home run. She had 20 RBIs and scored 16 runs. She had a .360 batting average.

Lavicka received second team Marawood North Conference this season after being on the first team her first three high school seasons. She was unanimous first team all-conference during her sophomore and junior seasons. Lavicka had knee surgery after suffering an injury while playing basketball last summer. She practiced with the Athens softball team this spring until her doctor cleared her to play in games toward the end of April. She had 48 at-bats in 14 games. She collected 25 hits including 17 singles, six doubles and two triples. She had 25 RBIs and scored 16 runs. She had a .521 batting average.

Athens senior rightfielder Paige Westaby and freshman pitcher/centerfielder Karly Eckert received honorable mention Marawood North Conference this season. Westaby had 55 at-bats in 23 games. All of her 18 hits were singles. She had 10 RBIs and scored 21 runs. She had a .327 batting average. Eckert had 75 at-bats in 23 games. She collected 23 hits including 21 singles, a double and a triple. She had 18 RBIs and scored 31 runs. She had a .307 batting average. Eckert had a 7-0 pitching record with 31 strikeouts and a 2.172 ERA this spring.

Athens first-year head coach Matt Ellenbecker was awarded Marawood North Conference Coach of the Year. The Bluejays finished this season with a 16-7 record after losing to Thorp in a home WIAA Division 5 sectional semifinal. Thorp ended up beating Mellen in the sectional championship in Athens to advance to the state tournament.