Centennial’s Kennedy, Sandholm, Ott named to CIML Conference first team

Ankeny Centennial third baseman Jordyn Kennedy puts a tag on a Johnston runner during a game on June 3 at Centennial. Kennedy has been named to the CIML Conference first team for the second straight year by a vote of the league’s coaches. Teammate Lauren Sandholm was also a repeat selection. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Ankeny Centennial softball stars Jordyn Kennedy and Lauren Sandholm were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league’s coaches. They were joined on the squad by teammate Mady Ott, who helped the Jaguars to a share of the conference championship.

Ten Centennial players and 11 more from Ankeny earned all-conference honors. The Hawkettes were led by Abby Rusher, who was named to the second team along with the Centennial duo of Cora Boyle and Addi Starr.

Ankeny’s Aubrey Lensmeyer was a third-team selection. She was joined on that squad by Jessica Lathrop of Centennial.

Kennedy, a sophomore infielder, led the Jaguars to a 29-10 record. She batted .460 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles and 39 RBIs.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Mady Ott prepares to hit the ball during a game against Norwalk on June 28 at Dallas Center-Grimes. Ott has been named to the CIML Conference first team. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Ott, a sophomore outfielder, batted .378 with 13 homers, seven doubles and 39 RBIs. She tied for seventh in the entire state in home runs.

Sandholm, a freshman pitcher, went 14-7 with a 1.58 ERA while recording 150 strikeouts. She also batted .302 with one homer and six RBIs.

Starr, a senior third baseman and catcher, batted .397 with one homer and 27 RBIs. The Central College commit tied for fifth in Class 5A with 18 doubles.

Boyle, a senior pitcher and second baseman, went 15-1 with a 2.30 ERA. The University of Maryville recruit also batted .354 with six doubles and 20 RBIs.

Ankeny pitcher Abby Rusher celebrates the end of an inning with teammate Aubrey Lensmeyer during a game against visiting Fort Dodge on June 19. Rusher has been named to the CIML Conference second team, while Lensmeyer was a third-team pick. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Rusher, a senior pitcher, led the Hawkettes to a 22-22 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. The Creighton recruit posted a 15-11 mark with a 1.92 ERA and 172 strikeouts.

Lensmeyer, a junior pitcher, went 7-10 with a 3.54 ERA and 115 strikeouts. The South Dakota recruit also batted .264 with a team-high nine homers and 28 RBIs.

Lathrop, a senior, was a utility player for the Jaguars. The William Penn commit batted .368 with one homer, five doubles and 17 RBIs.

Ankeny Centennial runner Jessica Lathrop is tagged out at home plate by Ankeny catcher Ava Tomlinson during a game on June 26 at Centennial. Lathrop has been named to the CIML Conference third team, while Tomlinson was among nine Ankeny players who received all-conference honorable mention. (Photo by Jerrad Downer)

Nine Ankeny players earned all-conference honorable mention, including sophomore outfielder Avery Nelson, who was honored for the second straight year. The others were seniors Lily Hans, Hannah Howard, Cassie Johnson, Josie Parton and Ava Tomlinson; junior Kaylyn Miller; sophomore Kensington Arringdale; and freshman Grace Rood.

Four other Jaguars received honorable mention. They are seniors Addie Pollock and McKenna Vallejo and juniors Mary Brantley and Makenna Foster.