Lauren Smith

Cedar Falls

Freshman

Softball

The Tigers' powerful freshman catcher and third baseman has proven herself a tough out against difficult Mississippi Valley Conference competition. Smith hit .462 (6-for-13) in league games last week with three home runs, five RBIs and four runs scored. "She is a threat at the plate and wants to be in the box when there are runners on base," Cedar Falls coach Tammy Utley noted. "Lauren is a leader by example, she is a hard worker and has a passion for the game of softball. I envision great things for Lauren as a softball player for Cedar Falls. I am hoping that Lauren will become more of a vocal leader, as well, in the future."

Dan Petullo

Waterloo West

Senior

Baseball

Extra time invested during the offseason has produced some strong results for the Wahawks' right fielder and his teammates. Petullo is batting .400 with one home run, six RBIs, four doubles and 11 runs scored. After spending plenty of time in the batting cage and weight room, Petullo has led West to a 10-1 start with a perfect 6-0 record in Mississippi Valley Conference play. "He's real relaxed, he's not uptight," coach Jeremy Langer said. "He brings everybody back down when they're stressed. He'll throw a joke out there and allow everybody to have fun." In addition to baseball, Petullo participates in football and swimming.

Libby Schultz

NU High

Senior

Soccer

A well-rounded student-athlete, Schultz served as a strong leader during her four years with the NU High girls' soccer team. "Libby has been a major factor in the success of the team, anchoring the center midfield and stopper position," coach Craig Winger noted. Schultz was also a four-year letterwinner in cross country and band. Academically, Schultz received the NU Class of 1978 scholarship and was accepted into the John Deere Early Talent/Scholarship program. She plans to attend Loras College this fall, majoring in business. Aside from academics and athletics, Schultz runs her own photography business that specializes in sports and portraits.

Alex Sharp

Denver

Junior

Baseball

Sharp's bat may have produced an early June heat wave in Denver. The Cyclones' pitcher and first baseman went 10-for-13 last week with three home runs, three doubles, one triple, 13 RBIs and eight runs scored. On the mound, Sharp struck out 13 batters in a win over Union Community. "Every time he comes to the plate you know there is an opportunity for something exciting to happen," coach Brent Matthias noted of the 3.6 GPA student. "He puts in the extra time throwing bullpens and even on our off-days can be found hitting extra with his dad. Alex eats, sleeps and lives baseball." Sharp is batting .800 in NICL East games with an .833 OBP.

Alaina Rigdon

Don Bosco

Junior

Track and field

It's probably safe to say that Rigdon is a natural in the high jump. The Dons' junior overcame a considerable obstacle of not having a high jump practice facility and qualified for state in back-to-back seasons. "It's really quite remarkable," coach Ann Rigdon noted. "Alaina does get occasional opportunities to practice when we can get to schools that let us borrow their facilities. But other than that, the only practice she gets is at meets." Rigdon also runs the 200- and 400-meter dashes. In addition to track and field, she is a starter on the Don Bosco volleyball and softball teams.

Kelsey Lough

Jesup

8th-grader

Softball

Lough is quickly becoming one of the state's top rookie pitchers. According to QuickStats, the freshman-to-be ranks seventh among all pitchers with 92 strikeouts. She has a 9-2 record and is tied for second among the state's wins leaders. Through 64 innings, Lough has allowed just 13 earned runs (1.42 ERA) and 21 walks. "She's worked awful hard in the fall and winter and she basically has dedicated herself to softball," coach John Begley said. "Where a lot of girls in that grade might have a fastball and a change-up, she's got a couple other pitches." ASA softball has given a Lough a head start. This spring her 14-and-under Jesup team qualified for a national tournament in Florida