Gillett/Suring’s Krueger, Umentum earn M&O softball 1st team spots

Softball players from the Gillett/Suring and Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas Academy co-ops were recognized for their play by the Marinette & Oconto Conference following the completion of the spring season.

Four players from Gillett/Suring plus two Lena/STAA players — one of whom is from Lena — earned all-conference nods.

Gillett/Suring

Paige Krueger earned two all-conference honors after a big senior season for Gillett/Suring. She made the first team as a catcher and was on the second team as a utility player.

“Earning not only one but two all-conference awards was amazing, especially because catching isn’t my normal position or a position I’ve ever really practiced,” said Krueger. “Being given these awards made my final season one to remember.”

Senior Emily Umentum also made the first team, doing so as an infielder.

“It is really special to me that in my final season I was named first team,” said Umentum. “I never played first base before this season; I’ve always caught, so this was a big honor. Not only was it my senior year, but I received the award with a position that was new to me. I also just want to thank my parents (Mike and Amy), because without them I wouldn’t have received this award in my final season.”

Senior Kelsey Smith earned a spot alongside Krueger on the second team. Smith was honored as an infielder.

“Receiving the all-conference award was special to me because it shows all the hard work I put into softball in the offseason and the last four years of high school,” said Smith.

Freshman Autumn Dryja was the final co-op player honored, making the honorable mention team.

“Making an all-conference team means a great deal to me,” said Dryja. “I’ve been playing softball since I was 8 years old, and I’ve continued to work hard every year — even when I didn’t have a softball team to play on.

“This honor will motivate me greatly for the years to come because all my hard work has paid off. A special thanks to my dad Andrew, my coach Mike (Umentum) and all my other family and friends for making me the player I am today.”

Lena/STAA

Sophomore Chaela Rabas, of Lena, made the M&O second team as a catcher.

“It is an honor to be recognized my first season in the conference,” said Rabas. “We have young improving talent on our team, and we will work hard to move up in the M&O standings in the next two seasons.”

Fellow sophomore Katie Jo Knox, of STAA, was an honorable mention in her first spring season.

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