Holy smokes.
The Nannen Physical Therapy Athletes of the Week feature is back for another new school year. Every Sunday, I’ll recognize at least one prep athlete from each Washington County school here after a great week, game or highlight.
Those special athletes will have bragging rights within their school, but will also qualify for my weekly video interview with one of them. That usually comes out Wednesday, but it’s not Wednesday — yet — so let’s get to the honorees from the first week of competition.
They all play softball, by the way.
Kallan Reed, Arlington softball: The Eagle was 4-for-7 at the plate with three RBIs during her team’s season-opening tournament in Wayne. She also notched 11 strikeouts across six innings in the pitching circle, which feels like the Athlete-of-the-Week clincher. Special mention goes to her teammates, Lydia Schaapveld and Tessa Spivey. Schaapveld had 10 strikeouts in five innings, while Spivey notched a team-best five RBIs with two doubles in Wayne.
Izzy Greenough, Fort Calhoun softball: Can you give Athlete of the Week honors to a whole team? The Pioneers won their season-opening tournament in North Bend and Greenough was a key piece during the effort from the leadoff spot. The senior scored a team-best five runs and stole a team-best three bases. She had two doubles and two RBIs. Special mention to Lyla Pearson, who I’m assuming you’ll get used to reading about in these Sunday updates. The pitcher tied a school record for strikeouts in a game with 12 and had four RBIs.
Laynie Brown, Blair softball: The outfielder stole the show from the start of the Chieftain Invitational on Friday against Lincoln North Star, notching back-to-back athletic catches in centerfield during the opening inning. She was 3-for-3 with two stolen bases against the Gators and went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base against Omaha Marian. There’s a lot of special mention to go around, though. Brown teammate Jacy Schueth had a four-RBI game, while Kaitlynn O’Neil and Regan Blattert had seemingly consistent weekends at the plate, too. Golfers Diane Mitchell and Leah Hinman deserve credit for winning Thursday’s two-person scramble at River Wilds Golf Club as well.
Well, that’s that.
It’s fun to recognize the kids, so I hope you’ll support my extra Sunday efforts and check out this article each and every week. Thanks for reading, and please consider subscribing to our little Washington County newspaper for all of the sports coverage to come this school year.
