Bonduel’s Thompson makes CWC-East softball first team

The Bonduel and Menominee Indian softball teams had multiple athletes named to Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division all-conference teams after the season wrapped up.

Four Bonduel players earned recognition, while three Menominee Indian players were honored.

Bonduel

Bonduel freshman Hailee Thompson made the first team, while sophomores Nakiyah Henning and Abby Stoltenow each landed on the second team. Freshman Lila Pleshek was an honorable mention.

Thompson ended her freshman season with a .407 batting average. She clubbed 10 doubles.

“I’m humbled to have received this award,” said Thompson. “I give a lot of the credit to my teammates and coaches, without them I would never have come this far. My family has also been very supportive in pushing me and encouraging me throughout this journey.

“This motivated me not only as a player but as a teammate to make it to state within these next three years. There’s a large group of us who have been playing together since we were 6 or 7 years old. Most importantly, I thank God for giving me the ability to play this sport.”

Henning was a threat at the plate and in the circle in her first high school season.

The sophomore finished the year with a .328 batting average. She had 10 extra base hits on the season, with seven doubles, two triples and a home run. She posted a 2.31 earned run average in the circle.

“Earning a second team conference award definitely gives me motivation to keep working hard in the offseason and prepare myself for next year, and it gives me the confidence to go back next year and help my team to be a successful, competitive winning team,” said Henning.

“It also shows that hard work does not go unnoticed, and that for me makes softball that much more fun.”

Stoltenow hit her way into Bonduel’s lineup. She ended the season with a .472 batting average.

“Earning second team all-conference means a lot to me because coming into the season I didn’t know what to expect with my playing time,” said Stoltenow. “Starting the season, I did not see the field that much, but as the season progressed, the coaches gave me more and more opportunities. With those opportunities I performed to the best of my ability and earned a starting spot.

“It motivates me to work harder to shoot for another conference award next year and keep competing throughout next season as many new players will join our squad next year.”

Pleshek capped her freshman season with a .355 batting average.

“The honor that I received really boosted my confidence and proved that all the hard work I put in paid off,” said Pleshek. “With saying that, it wouldn’t be possible without my team because they motivated and supported me throughout the entire season and without them I wouldn’t have that confidence.

“This will motivate me by proving even though I am a younger player, I can do unbelievable things with the right mindset and practice. In my upcoming high school softball career, I hope to carry the confidence from this honor playing on the diamond.”

Menominee Indian

Menominee Indian senior Selena O’Kimosh made the second team to cap her high school career. Sophomore Aniya Peters and freshman Gabriella Wayka both made the honorable mention list.

O’Kimosh finished the conference portion of the season with a .455 batting average. She doubled four times among her 10 hits and also scored five runs.

Peters posted a .343 batting average during CWC-East play. She doubled twice and tripled once among her 12 hits, while stealing seven bases and scoring six runs.

She also pitched 29⅔ innings in the circle, striking out 19 batters over that span.

“It means a lot be on the honorable mention team,” said Peters. “This year was my first year ever pitching. I was hesitant because pitching is hard work, but thanks to my coach and family I stuck with it. The compliments from other coaches and players really motivated me, so I’m really excited to see what my upcoming junior and senior year has in store.”

Wayka posted a .385 batting average in conference play. She tallied 10 hits and drove in five runs.

“Honestly it’s astonishing,” said Wayka of her all-conference honor. “I take the game very seriously, sometimes too seriously, so it feels great for my skills to be acknowledged and for me to be recognized as a good softball player. Now knowing what I can accomplish through hard work and determination, motivation will surely come the easiest.”

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