High School Playbook

This past weekend, the Lanco Wildcats defeated Suburban 10-0 to clinch the state championship. The 18U slow pitch softball team, coaches, and parents must now decide if they can afford to travel to the National Championships Tournament in Owensboro, Kentucky.

The Championships are held July 23^rd to July 29^th. In order to compete in the tournament, the team is looking to come up with roughly $5000 by Tuesday, July 21^st. They have a bake sale scheduled for this weekend.  

The Wildcats is a traveling softball team that plays against teams all over the state. Coach by Darryl Witmer, players come from Manheim Central, Ephrata, and the Bowmansville area, and were part of the 3-year undefeated Akron Mustangs team.

Check out some of the pics! >>

Several softball players earned first and second-team status courtesy of the Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association in Class AAAA and Class AAA. In Classes AA and A, several players made honorable mention.

Class AAAA

First Team

Taryn Ashway, Waynesboro

Lauren Alcorn, Lower Dauphin

Jess Epler, Governor Mifflin

Second Team

Brittany Hammer, Hempfield

Becca Bigler, Elizabethtown

Honorable Mention

Megan Blank, Conestoga Valley

Emily Estep, Chambersburg

Caitlin Paine, Lebanon

Lauren Walker, Central York

Anna Libby, Elizabethtown

Delaine Dunham, Chambersburg

Alex Kissinger, Governor Mifflin

Mallory Wishard, Waynesboro

Casey Benedict, Governor Miffline

Kiersten Darhower, Central Dauphin

Danielle Miller, Waynesboro

Brandee Zablotsky, Central Dauphin

Kaylee Werner, Chambersburg

Class AAA

First Team

Megan Sheaf, Susquehannock

Rochelle Christman, Greencastle-Antrim

Meghin Palmer, Greencastle-Antrim

Kaylee Poole, James Buchanan

Second Team

Autumn Appleby, Greencastle-Antrim

Morgan Kibler, Donegal

Brooke Varner, Shippensburg

Katy Bobbitt, Greencastle-Antrim

Rachel Kline, Greencastle-Antrim

Honorable Mention

Ashley Antosh, Twin Valley

Katie Shaub, Muhlenberg

Katie Lynch, Lampeter-Strasburg

Sarah Karn, James Buchanan

Justine Stanton, Trinity

Kayla Cook, Manheim Central

Rachel Statler, Greencastle-Antrim

Abbey Radic, Palmyra

Class AA

Honorable Mention

Sarah Dietrich, Upper Dauphin

Kylie Schrev, Upper Dauphin

Tessa Gilson, Juniata

Karyn Ligon, Upper Dauphin

Kylin Lyons, Pine Grove

Jordan Darchicourt, Boiling Springs

Class A

Honorable Mention

Jessie Schoonover, Greenwood

Mary Readinger, Williams Valley

Alysha Bixler, Willams Valley

One game at a time.

Not a bad philosophy for someone coming off a season with stats that included .989 fielding percentage.  

"It's nice and I would like to keep getting better," said Manheim Central catcher Kalya Cook, "but during games I just try to keep the ball in front."

The 4-year starter's career originated with tee ball. When she was 8-years-old she just started playing softball. Years later as a freshman, Kayla stepped behind home plate and took her throne as the Barons' starting catcher, but it wasn't as nerve racking as you would expect.

"The girls that were on the team, I played with them a lot growing up. It was pretty easy."

While her primary position is catcher, Kayla said that Coach Steve Ginder has moved her to 2nd, 3^rd, and even outfield when the team was up by a lot. She admitted to being able to play pretty much every position except for pitching.

KAYLA SITS BEHIND HOME PLATE DURING MC'S MATCHUP VS. DANIEL BOONE

Kayla's success goes far beyond the pop-ups and the strike zone. She has been on the honor roll since 7^th grade and volunteers at Pleasant View.

"Some days you're just kind of like, 'I want to lie down and do nothing.'"

But she doesn't just lie down and do nothing. In fact, Kayla does just the opposite. She's not only involved in high school softball, but is a member of the Blazing Angels, a club team based outside of Philadelphia.

With tournaments in the fall and summer and practice twice a week, it's hard for the weeks not to be hectic. In response, Kayla just stays determined and makes the extra effort to get all her work done.

But all the hours and hard work have definitely paid off for Kayla.

"It has gotten me where I am. I wouldn't be going where I'm going next year."

Where she's headed is Temple University. Kayla has earned a full scholarship and will join the Owls softball team in the fall. Not only did the academics entice her, but Kayla noted that she loved the atmosphere, the team, and the coaches so it was really easy to choose.

As far as training is concerned, Kayla said it's going to be "crazy."

"Training for college is a lot different (than high school)," said Kayla. "You just have to be ready."

Kayla will receive a training packet from Temple Coach Joe DiPietro for the summer that will probably consist of cardio, lifting, and strength training. She intends to arrive and compete from day one, and hopes to get as much playing time as possible.

Before that happens, however, there are a couple things Kayla wants to accomplish.

"It would be great to do well in leagues and districts. Coming into the season I didn't think we would be doing as good as we have been, so that would be really fun."

But what is the one thing she's going to miss about Manheim?

Well, the Farm Show of course!

MORE "SENIOR MINUTES":

Central Dauphin Wrestler Tony Dallago

For the last 2 years, the AAA state championship has belonged to Susquehannock. The York County champs were right back on that path this year, earning the top seed in the district playoffs, but things were about to change.

Scoreless in the 5^th, Susquehannock's Hannah Bentz dashes for home, but is caught at the plate. Still no score, Twin Valley's Brook Horning singles up the middle and brings home the winning run.

Elizabethtown and top seeded Solanco battled for the slot in the semis. E-Town's Becca Bigler got a shot to the right and picks up the win.