Olathe schools dominate selections

Olathe players occupied a staggering 10 of 16 first-team spots when the 2009 All-Sunflower League Softball team was announced.

Of course, that really shouldn’t come as any great surprise considering Olathe Northwest won the Kansas 6A state title and Olathe East, whose only losses this season came against the Ravens, finished third in 6A.

Olathe South, which finished 15-8 this season, also qualified for the state tourney.

The all-league list reflects the subtle differences between the Ravens and Hawks.

Olate Northwest, which rolled through the season unbeaten 25-0, had a pair of dominant pitchers and an equally dominating defense.

Pitchers Hannah Dale and Jacinda Ramos were first-team all-league picks along with shortstop Amy Pierce and second baseman Kendra Wright.

By contrast, East, which finished the year 22-3, relied more on its boppers in the lineup and a strong defense a relatively inexperienced varsity pitching staff.

Scrappy leadoff hitter Kendall Grimm, who played center field, and sluggers Jessica Brooks and Laura Vickers, who played third base and shortstop, respectively, were named to the first team along with designated player Jenny Polivka.

Olathe North’s Megan McCracken and Olathe South’s Emilee Vance also were selected to the first team.

Nine more players were named to the second team from the city, including the league’s Newcomer of the Year Kiki Stokes. Stokes was a freshman for East.

ONW’s Mark Mahoney was named the Sunflower League Coach of the Year.

2009 ALL-SUNFLOWER LEAGUE TEAM

Player of the year: Hannah Dale, Olathe Northwest.

Newcomer of the year: Kiki Stokes, Olathe East.

Coach of the year: Mark Mahoney, Olathe Northwest.

First team

Infield: Jessica Brooks, Olathe East; Amy Pierce, Olathe Northwest; Emilee Vance, Olathe South; Laura Vickers, Olathe East; Kendra Wright, Olathe Northwest.

Pitcher: Morgan Brunmeier, SM West; Hannah Dale, Olathe Northwest; Jacinda Ramos, Olathe Northwest.

Outfield: Kendall Grimm, Olathe East; Maggie Hull, Free State; Rosie Hull, Free State; Rachael Zdeb, SM Northwest.

Utility: Summer Kelley, SM Northwest.

Catcher: Megan McCracken, Olathe North; Meghan Miller, SM Northwest

Designated player: Jenny Polivka, Olathe East.

Second team

Infield: Lauren Dorsey, Olathe South; Courtney Gall, SM South; Loryn Goebel, SM Northwest; Mo O’Connor, Olathe North; Susan Specht, SM North.

Pitcher: Kahli Barrett, Olathe South; Jessica Elafros, SM South; Darin Lewis, Olathe East; Emily Moe, Leavenworth; Mary Pat Specht, SM North.

Outfield: Chantelle Dietz, Olathe Northwest; Alex Hugo, Olathe South; Amber Parkison, SM North; Kiki Stokes, Olathe East.

Utility: Kristi Lee, Olathe Northwest.

Catcher: Nikki Bruce, SM West; Lauren Fox, Free State; Katie Henning, Olathe South.

Designated player: Katie Cowen, SM Northwest.

Honorable mention

Free State: Kelsey Leinmiller-Rennick, Lexi Smith.

Lawrence: Lauren Massey, Jamie Jarrett.

Leavenworth: Jayme Foskett, Shelbie Thornton.

Olathe East: Michelle Ingles, Ashley Stout.

Olathe North: Amanda Vaupel, Rachel Hein.

Olathe Northwest: Victoria Toplikar, Peyton Jones.

Olathe South: Breanna McCracken, Amy Allen.

SM East: Kyra Slemp, Shannon McGinley.

SM North: Lauren Preator, Alyssa Lee.

SM Northwest: Alex Crowe, Courtney Schmidt.

SM South: Amanda Brown, Kelly Davis.

SM West: Taylor Baldridge, Shawna Borger.