Awards event closes Monti's 2021 season

The Monticello High School softball team held its awards event July 19 in the MHS Commons. Monticello’s All-Conference players, from left: Reese Cox, Mallory Steiner, Jaelyn Aitchison and Tori McDonald. (Photos courtesy of Kim McQuillen)
Earning team awards, from left: Sami McElmeel, Mallory Steiner, Jaelyn Aitchison, DeLainy Fellinger, Brea Stahlberg and Tori McDonald.
Four all-conference players and numerous others were recognized as the Monticello High School softball team held its annual awards event July 19 in the MHS Commons.
The Panthers improved to 15-19 on the season under head coach Bret McDonald after winning just two games in the 2020 campaign.
A list of award-winners follows.
VARSITY AWARDS
River Valley All-Conference –
North Division Team: Reese Cox, senior; Tori McDonald, senior; Jaelyn Aitchison, sophomore.
Honorable Mention: Mallory Steiner, junior.
Most Valuable Player – Tori McDonald, senior.
Most Improved Player – Brea Stahlberg, sophomore.
Best Offensive Player – Mallory Steiner, junior.
Best Defensive Player – Jaelyn Aitchison, sophomore.
Rookie of the Year – Sami McElmeel, freshman.
Panther Pride – DeLainy Fellinger, senior.
Golden Glove (.950 or higher fielding percentage) – Tori McDonald, senior; Piper Hansen, junior; Mallory Steiner, junior; Brea Stahlberg, sophomore; Sami McElmeel, freshman; Keziah McQuillen, freshman.
Silver Slugger (.300 or higher batting average) – Tori McDonald, senior; Mallory Steiner, junior; Jaelyn Aitchison, sophomore; Sami McElmeel, freshman.
Academic All-Conference –
Seniors: Reese Cox, DeLainy Fellinger, Tori McDonald.
Juniors: Piper Hansen.
Sophomores: Jaelyn Aitchison, Madison Butterworth, Katie Roher, Brea Stahlberg.
Freshmen: Jordan Fangmann, Sami McElmeel, Keziah McQuillen, Lauren Verhagen.
JUNIOR VARSITY AWARDS
Best Offensive Player – Lauren Verhagen, freshman.
Best Defensive Player – Kendra Mescher, freshman.
Most Improved Player – Kinzi Schlarmann, freshman.
Panther Pride – Kendall Ruden, junior; Kayla Simmons, junior.
FRESH-SOPH AWARDS
Best Offensive Player – Madilynn Kromminga, eighth-grader.
Best Defensive Player – Jayden Kuper, eighth-grader.
Most Improved Player – Lydia Ahlrichs, eighth-grader.
Panther Pride – Raegan LaGrange, freshman.