Award-winners are honored during Panther banquet

     A Monticello High School baseball team that had a mix of strong senior leaders and outstanding underclassmen held its annual awards banquet Aug. 7 in the MHS Commons.

     Head coach Kolby Harms thanked the five seniors who led the team, and expressed excitement for the future of a team that started several underclassmen.

     “Other coaches talked to me about how they didn’t want to see us in their (district) bracket,” Harms said.

     The Panthers finished 7-11 in the River Valley Conference, and 11-16 overall.

     A list of team award-winners follows.

ALL-STATE

     Iowa Print Sports Writers Association: Jon Mootz, second team senior outfielder.

ALL-DISTRICT

     Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association” Jon Mootz, second team senior outfielder.

ALL-CONFERENCE

     Elite: Jon Mootz, senior outfielder.

     North Division: Avery Martensen, senior utility; Tyler Luensman, sophomore outfielder; Justin Recker, sophomore infielder; Dylan Roher, eighth-grade pitcher.

     Honorable mention: Caleb Sauser, freshman.

TEAM AWARDS

     Most Valuable: Jon Mootz, senior.

     Most Improved: Tyler Blattner, senior; Jeff Carlson, junior.

     Silver Slugger: Jon Mootz, senior.

     Gold Glove: Avery Martensen, senior; Tate Petersen, eighth-grader.

     Cy Young: Dylan Roher, eighth-grader.

     RBI Leader: Justin Recker, sophomore.

     Strikeout Leader: Dylan Roher, eighth-grader.

     Coaches’ Award: Gavin Cooper, senior.

ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE

     Seniors: Gavin Cooper, Hunter Kramer, Avery Martensen, Jon Mootz.

     Juniors: Jeff Carlson, Cade Folken.

     Sophomores: Brayden Cleeton, Caleb Gillmore, Bo Kramer, Tyler Luensman, Justin Recker, Grahm Schneiter.

     Eighth-graders: Tate Petersen, Dylan Roher.