Union Grove, Westosha Central dominate first team
By Mike Ramczyk
I made my bed, and now I must lie in it.
Yes, the very first Southern Lakes Newspapers All-Area teams, boys and girls basketball last winter, opened an entire new can of worms for our sports department.
Instead of only honoring our four Racine County schools, I decided to open things up to all 16 of our high schools, which are located in Racine, Walworth and Kenosha counties.
While the basketball teams turned out great, I wasn’t thinking at the time of what I was getting myself into.
Am I going to be laying judgment on all of the area schools each season, with hundreds of emails and phone calls to the vast array of coaches?
The simple answer is yes.
We’re continuing what we started last winter with the inaugural All-Area softball and baseball teams.
This week, we’ll cover softball, and next week we’ll give you baseball.
With the help of sports correspondent Chris Bennett and staff writer Jason Arndt, we have combed the area for nominations with countless emails, text messages and phone calls.
The results are in, and there will be some hurt feelings.
We’re dealing with the strongest softball conference in the state, the Southern Lakes, where Delavan-Darien played in the state championship in Division 2 and Union Grove advanced to the state quarterfinals in Division 1.
The SLC boasted four teams in one sectional, and Delavan-Darien, Grove and Westosha Central were state-ranked all season.
Burlington won a school-record 21 games, and Wilmot knocked off Grove and qualified for sectionals.
Our star-studded squad features all-state performers on the first and second team.
Enough of the hype, let’s get down to business.
The following selections are mostly the brainchild of SLN Sports Editor Mike Ramczyk, with Bennett and Arndt providing their informed opinions.
The three of us, including sports correspondent Tim Wester, attended a plethora of games last spring.
While statistics and coaches’ nominations are weighed heavily, the old-fashioned eye test, strength of schedule and team performance are used among other factors.
Did an athlete shine brightest on the biggest stage, or was the pressure too much to handle?
The hard numbers and intangibles go into making well-rounded players, and those that possess it all are highest on the list.
It was quite the undertaking, as the talent in southeastern Wisconsin is probably the best in the state.
And unlike conventional all-area teams that measure teams by position, we are choosing teams based on the best overall players.
Girls will not be held back based on position.
Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourself, grab a refreshment to cool down from this sweltering heat and enjoy the first SLN All-Area Softball team.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jennah Speth, senior, Delavan-Darien
The Division 2 player of the year led the Lady Comets to their first state tournament in school history.
She did in style, breaking the single-game state record with 22 strikeouts in a nine-inning semifinal victory that was played in two days due to rain.
The next day, she struck out 16 more batters to set the all-time state tournament record with 38 strikeouts.
It was a tough choice between Speth, Union Grove’s Brittany Moore and Westosha Central’s Kayla Konwent, but the fact that Speth wasn’t surrounded by numerous all-state players made her stand out even more.
She went 17-7 in the state’s toughest conference, the SLC, and struck out a ridiculous 301 batters in 172 2/3 innings while walking only 34.
Along with a 1.46 earned-run average, Speth separated herself from the pack with her dual-threat talent.
She socked 13 home runs, hit .552 and drove in 49 RBIs.
Speth earned first team all-state, all-district and all-conference.
“Jennah was one of the best players in the state of Wisconsin,” said Delavan-Darien head coach Hank Johnson.
Speth will play at Division 1 University of Illinois-Chicago this fall.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ryan Boylen, Union Grove
In nine seasons, Boylen has taken the Lady Broncos to three state tournaments, including one Division 1 state championship in 2011.
Last spring, Boylen’s bunch boasted a 28-3 record and was ranked No. 1 in the state much of the season.
The girls came close to advancing to the Division 1 state championship game, but a late miscue yielded a stunning semifinal loss.
The Grove no-hit D1 state champion Stevens Point late in the regular season and knocked off defending state champion Westosha Central twice, including a decisive victory in the sectional final.
Boylen’s dedication to the program, which included long hours during the season and weekend club tournaments in the summer, has turned the Grove into one of the state’s powers.
But Boylen is a family man first, and with two children and a wife at home in Burlington, he has sacrificed personal time for the continued growth and success of the softball team.
Boylen confirmed Tuesday on the phone he is stepping down as the Grove’s coach.
“I have a son who has some health issues, and I missed a lot of last season, which made me realize how quickly things can change,” he said.
“I wanted to spend my time with my family while I have that opportunity.”
Boylen guided the best team in the area to the best record, and was two outs from a state championship game.
“Great talent makes great coaching,” said Boylen.
FIRST TEAM
Brittany Moore, senior, Union Grove
Moore enjoyed the most dominant pitching season in the Southern Lakes Conference, and the Raymond resident’s bat often helped her cause.
A first team Wisconsin Softball Coaches Association (WSCA) all-state pick, Moore was the Racine County player of the year and the Wissports Senior Pitcher of the Year.
She mowed down batters with a 0.57 ERA, finishing 16-2 with 226 strikeouts and only 28 walks in 127 1/3 innings.
At the plate, Moore hit .522 and stole 20 of 22 bases.
The Division 2 University of Illinois-Springfield recruit was a warrior on the mound, displaying a competitive drive with words of encouragement or an occasional physical antic to motivate herself and teammates.
“Brittany was arguably the most dominant pitcher in the state,” Boylen said. “She had a fantastic year in the circle and combined that dominance with an improved bat.”
Kayla Konwent, senior, Westosha Central
The all-world catcher finished her high school career with 50 home runs and will play at the University of Wisconsin this fall.
One of the most decorated hitters in state history, the physically imposing catcher earned first team all-state, first team all-district and was named the Gatorade state player of the year for the second straight spring.
The Salem native was the conference MVP, and pitchers feared her, which led to 49 walks.
Konwent hit .509 with six home runs and 32 RBIs. She tallied a mind-boggling 1.715 slugging percentage.
Konwent undoubtedly is one of the best players in state high school history.
“She is one of the best players ever to come out of this program and maybe the best player the state has ever produced,” said Central head coach Tom Lampe. “We don’t think it’s a coincidence we made it to the state championship game three of her four years.”
“She was a coach’s dream in terms of her work ethic, coachability and commitment.”
Claire Ryan, senior, Union Grove
The second baseman was one of the best power hitters in the area with eight blasts, and her power was on display at the state tournament.
She crushed a solo shot in the Division 1 state quarterfinal to give the Broncos a 3-1 lead late in the game.
A first team all-state and first team all-district pick, Ryan was a finalist for senior infielder of the year.
She raked with a .552 batting average and added 40 RBIs and a .908 slugging percentage.
Ryan will play college softball at Trine University.
“Claire has worked her tail off,” Boylen said. “Claire gave us great flexibility by sliding over to second this year and manning it flawlessly despite never playing there before.”
Morgyn DeLara, junior, Delavan-Darien
The outfielder was the offensive force behind the Comets’ state tournament run, smashing three home runs in two games.
She finished with eight home runs, 45 RBIs and hit .464 for the season.
DeLara was an honorable mention all-state selection, all-district and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel all-area.
“I feel she is one of the best outfielders and hitters in the area if not the state,” said Johnson. “She had an amazing run in the playoffs.”
Alyssa Hrncar, junior, Westosha Central
After three years, the powerful Falcons’ top pitcher has done more than most players do in an entire career.
She has been the winning pitcher in a state championship game and keeps adding to her resume with victory after victory.
In 2016, Hrncar earned first team all-district and all-state honors.
She was 18-3 for the 23-4 Falcons, with 12 shutouts and 18 complete games.
Hrncar struck out 148 in 116 1/3 innings and only walked 18. Her ERA was microscopic at 1.14.
Hrncar is 61-8 in her career.
At the plate, Hrncar hit .448 with an OPS of 1.006.
“Alyssa may be one of the most overlooked people on our team,” Lampe said. “We don’t nearly have the success we’ve had without her in the circle. Even with all the offense we’ve displayed, this game is still about pitching and she is one of the best in the state.”
Chy Onstad, senior, Westosha Central
The Wheatland resident and UW-Green Bay recruit has bounced around the SLC, playing her first two seasons with Burlington before transferring to Central.
Onstad has been the missing piece to Central’s success on both offense and defense, Lampe said, and she’s provided a big bat and strong defense at third base.
“Offensively she allowed for some protection to Kayla and more often than not, made teams pay for that choice,” Lampe said. “Defensively, she allowed us to move Kayla to catcher because of her ability to shut down third base.”
Onstad hit .475 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs and was first team all-state, district and conference.
Kalyssa Koehn, junior, Wilmot
The shortstop came into her own at the plate, leading the team with a .495 batting average and driving in 36 runs.
Koehn smashed 11 doubles.
She earned first team all-conference and all-district, along with second team all-state honors.
Alyssa McClelland, senior, Union Grove
The third baseman will attend UW-Milwaukee this fall, but her spring won’t soon be forgotten.
She hit .469 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs and was named first team all-district and second team all-state.
“Alyssa has been the ultimate team player over the course of her career at Union Grove,” Boylen said. “She has played multiple positions wherever she was needed and always put her own desires behind what was best for the team.”
McClelland recovered from a broken wrist last season to become the “glue that held our lineup together,” Boylen added.
Kallista Hribar, junior, Union Grove
The catcher may have earned first team all-state had it not been for Konwent and is one of the best three players behind the plate in the state, according to Boylen.
Hribar hit .505 with eight home runs as a leadoff hitter and added six triples and 26 RBIs.
Hribar was second team all-state, first team all-district and first team all-conference.
“She has the potential to be truly special,” Boylen said. “Kallista is a phenomenal talent and a true five-tool player in every sense of the term.”
Talyn Lewis, senior, Burlington
A team captain, Lewis put in time off the field to make younger players better and led chants in the dugout, often banging buckets and singing with teammates to motivate Demon batters.
The 5-foot-11 shortstop will play at Division 1 Iowa State University this fall.
Last year’s Racine County player of the year, Lewis hit .465 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs this season.
Her OPS of 1.513 was second in the area behind Konwent.
“She was a team captain and was respected by her coaches and peers,” said Burlington coach Gary Caliva. “She has a great knowledge of the game and plays it with passion.”
Lewis was named second team all-county and all-conference this season.
She also earned all-state honors this season.
SECOND TEAM
Nicole Bugiel, senior, Mukwonago
Despite a down year for the Indians, Bugiel earned first team all-Classic 8 honors as a catcher.
She’s a four-year varsity player that hit .447 with a .519 on-base percentage in 2016.
A four-year varsity player, Bugiel was team captain her junior and senior seasons.
“Working with an erratic pitching staff, Nicole had to work as hard as any catcher I’ve seen,” said Mukwonago coach Daniel Purney.
“She does a great job blocking balls, calls all pitches and does a nice job of mixing pitches.”
Jaina Westphal, sophomore, Burlington
The young second baseman had a breakout year, hitting .525 with five triples, 48 runs, 20 stolen bases and an eye-popping 1.428 OPS.
She was named first team all-county and honorable mention all-district.
Westphal is verbally committed to Division 1 Valparaiso University.
“Jaina is a leader on our team and is willing to help others to elevate their game,” Caliva said. “She is one of the strongest defensive players on the team.”
Riley Regnier, junior, Wilmot
The first baseman was first team all-conference, first team all-district and honorable mention all-state.
Regnier led the team in doubles with 14, home runs with six, drove in 34 runs and batted .489.
The numbers were even more impressive considering it was Regnier first year on varsity.
Allie Trudeau, senior, Union Grove
You know you have a good team when your Division 1 pitcher is waiting in the wings at the state tournament.
The powerful Trudeau was the perfect complement to ace Brittany Moore, going 10-1 with a 1.02 ERA in 54 2/3 innings. She struck out 117 and only walked 22.
At the plate, she hit .321.
Trudeau is one of the most dominant pitchers in the area and will play Division 1 college softball at Illinois-Chicago with Jennah Speth this fall.
“Allie can absolutely shut down an opponent,” Boylen said. “She’s a fabulous outfielder who can impact the game with her arm, her glove or her bat.”
Trudeau was second team all-SLC and honorable mention all-district.
Sydney Robson, sophomore, Burlington Catholic Central
A team captain, the multi-talented pitcher was the driving force behind the Lady Toppers’ 19-8 season.
Robson led the team with a .558 batting average, four home runs, 35 RBIs and five triples.
On the mound, she was 17-6 with a 2.62 ERA. She struck out 142 in 128 innings.
“There’s something special about her,” said Catholic Central coach Bill Greskiw. “She lives and breathes softball. She had no problem working with older teammates. She can play anywhere but catcher.”
Josie Klein, sophomore, Burlington
A center fielder and pitcher, Klein hit .462 with 42 hits, 36 RBIs and a 1.164 OPS.
Klein only committed one error in center field and was 6-1 on the mound.
She earned first team all-county and all-district honors along with second team all-conference.
“Josie anchored our outfield, was the team leader in RBIs and was second in hits,” Caliva said. “She hits for average and power and drives in runs.”
Taylor Scott, senior, Williams Bay
The four-year first team all-Trailways Conference selection was the player of the year in 2016.
She ranks up there with Caroline Starck and Sam Storms as the three best players in school history, said head coach Jeff Kuespert. Scott, Starck and Storms are the only Bulldogs to earn first team all-TWC all four years.
Scott became the school’s career record holder in plate appearances (322), runs scored (141), hits (132), triples (15), stolen bases (106, second in Wisconsin history) and hit by pitches (12). She also established a state record with eight stolen bases in a game.
She hit .523 with 42 stolen bases and added six doubles, five triples and three home runs in 2016.
“She is the best base runner I have ever coached,” Kuespert said.
Brooklyn Ottelien, junior, Union Grove
The first baseman dabbled on the mound but did her most damage at the plate, with a .397 batting average, .769 slugging percentage, nine home runs and 25 RBIs.
Ottelien was second team all-SLC and honorable mention all-district.
“Brooklyn has the potential to be a superstar,” Boylen said. “She can be an absolute dominant pitcher and a sensational hitter.”
Danielle Koenen, senior, Burlington
The team’s leading pitcher went 16-6 and helped lead the Lady Demons to their most wins (21) in school history.
Her only losses were to state-ranked teams.
A team captain, Koenen earned second team all-county and second team all-conference and will play college softball for Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich.
She had a 2.78 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 145 innings.
“She led by example, was the hardest worker on our team and played with passion and intensity every game,” Caliva said.
Sarah Hutchinson, junior, Wilmot
An honorable mention all-SLC pick, Hutchinson was the Panthers’ ace in 2016.
She went 13-8 with a 2.80 ERA and beat Union Grove late in season, one game after a strong performance against Westosha Central.
With one year left, Hutchinson figures to contend for first team all-SLN next season.
She hit .358 at the plate.
Jaida Speth, sophomore, Delavan-Darien
The leadoff hitter tallied a .385 batting average and was an integral piece in the Comets’ state runner-up season.
She was honorable mention all-SLC and would’ve been first team in most other conferences, according to Johnson.
On the hill, she was 8-0 with a 1.07 ERA.
“She got on base for our big hitters,” Johnson said.
HONORABLE MENTION
Lauren Stefanczyk, sophomore, Palmyra-Eagle
- 1st team all-Rock Valley North infielder
Michaela Schumacher, senior, Whitewater
- .377 average, committed to D2 Upper Iowa
Katie Kubiak, senior, Catholic Central
- catcher, .548 average, 34 RBI, 46 hits, 3 3B, 16 2B, “strong arm, good catcher,” – CC coach Bill Greskiw
Kira Mickelson, Westosha Central
- 2nd team all-SLC, .414 BA, 39 RBI, 1.048 OPS, committed to D1 Northern Illinois
Katie Kubiak (left) prepares to tag out a Waterford runner at home. (Rick Benavides/SLN)
Jenna Kontaxis, Westosha Central
- 2nd team all-SLC, HM all-district, .475, .529 OBP, 1.087 OPS
Morgan Stalker, Walworth Big Foot
- first team all-RVC South infield, .529 BA, 1.426 OPS, 23 SB, “top 5 hitter in area,” – coach Rick Schoenbeck
Cayleen Ryan, Lake Geneva Badger
- .412 BA, 2nd team all-SLC, “We had little protection for her in lineup but she still put up tremendous numbers,” LG coach Glen York.
Rachel Gosh, sophomore, Elkhorn
- 2nd team All-SLC, .351 BA, .955 OPS
Myranda Schuttenhelm, junior, Waterford
- Team MVP, .324 BA, pitched 26.6 innings, 16 K
Vanessa Dingman, senior, East Troy
– team MVP, 2nd team all-RVC North, 4-year starter, team captain, .390 BA
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