By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
City softball players earned six of the 11 spots on the 2024 All-Centennial League team, selected by league coaches.
Washburn Rural senior pitcher Makayla Ekis was named to the All-Centennial League first team while also being selected as the league newcomer of the year. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural's Joy Marie Galliart has been named the Centennial League coach of the year in her first year at Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural, which finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, had a city-high three first-team picks -- senior Makayla Ekis, junior Avery Rupp and freshman Olivia Koch -- while Ekis was named the Centennial League newcomer of the year and first-year Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart the coach of the year.
Topeka High put senior McCall Beall and junior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-league first team while Hayden is represented by senior Ava Delgado.
Manhattan joined Rural with three first-team selections, with the Indians represented by league player of the year Reagan Neitzel, Jaden McGee and Cat Ball.
Junction City is represented by Sara Rexrode and Makenzie Thomas.
Washburn Rural put Reagan Chapman and Layla Collins on the second team while Topeka High is represented by Taimane Isaia, Becca Gateley and Montgomerie Freel.
Five city players earned all-league honorable mention.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE SOFTBALL
First team
Reagan Neitzel, Manhattan; Makayla Ekis, Washburn Rural; Sara Rexrode, Junction City; Avery Rupp, Washburn Rural; Jaden McGee, Manhattan; Makenzie Thomas, Junction City; McCall Beall, Topeka High; Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural; Ava Delgado, Hayden; Cat Ball, Manhattan.
Second team
Alivia Anno, Emporia; McKenzie Reid, Manhattan; Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural; Taimane Isaia, Topeka High; Addie Kirmer, Emporia; Anja VonSpreckelsen, Junction City; Isabelle Peabody, Manhattan; Layla Collins, Washburn Rural; Becca Gateley, Topeka High; Anna Wollenberg, Manhattan; Montgomerie Freel, Topeka High.
Honorable mention
Maedeen McClure, Emporia; Clara Williams, Emporia; Molly Williams, Emporia; Gabby Martinez, Washburn Rural; Josie Carlgren, Washburn Rural; Ava Fowler, Washburn Rural; Henley Rapp, Washburn Rural; Macie Muto, Junction City; Cassidy Miller, Junction City; Rilynn Hotard, Junction City; Campbell Dawson, Topeka High.
Player of the year -- Reagan Neitzel, Manhattan.
Newcomer of the year -- Makayla Ekis, Washburn Rural.
Coach of the year -- Joy Marie Galliart, Washburn Rural.
