Highland, Mid-Prairie earn All-District representatives

A number of area athletes were named to the All-District softball teams, which were released last week.

Highland led the way among area teams, having three members of the team being honored, while Mid-Prairie earned two recognitions.

Helming the Class 2A, Southeast District team was Highland head coach Carrie Wieland.

Wieland guided the Huskies to a 23-6 record in 2015, as they claimed a conference title.

The Huskies? bid for a second-straight state tournament appearance was cut short, however, as they fell to Durant in the regional semifinals.

Durant went on to finish in fifth place at the Class 2A state tournament.

Joining their coach on the All-District team were sophomore center fielder Kelsey Hora and senior pitcher Katie Springer.

Hora had a tremendous year at the plate, batting .505 with an on-base percentage of .557.

She led the team with 43 runs scored, 48 hits, and she stole 48 bases in 50 attempts.

Springer was stellar from the circle again this season, posting a 1.13 ERA in 155 innings pitched. She struck out 165 batters from the circle, en route to a 21-5 record, and held opposing hitters to a .179 average.

Mid-Prairie had two representatives earn recognition on the Class 3A, southeast district team this season, and both will return to help lead the Hawks next year.

Junior infielders Amber Kral and Alex Rath each were named to the All-District team.

Rath finished the year sixth in Class 3A with a .540 batting average (on-base percentage of .620, good for third in Class 3A), while stealing 20 bases from the top of the order for the Hawks.

Rath scored 50 runs for Mid-Prairie this season, while driving in 22 runs and drawing 21 walks. She also led the team with four triples and had six doubles on the season.

Joining Rath on the All-District team was Kral, who finished third in the state, regardless of class, with 71 RBIs. The two who finished in front of Kral had 73 and 75, and both played in 10 more games.

Kral swatted 12 homeruns on the season while batting .486 on the year, including an on-base percentage of .528 and scored 38 runs.

Kral was effective at putting the ball in play as well, by only striking out 11 times in 110 at-bats.

All-State teams will officially be released at Midnight tonight, so check out Thursday?s edition of The Journals to see who is among the state?s best.