Following a season which ended with the second state title in five years for the Huffman Hargrave Falcons softball program, the Falcons returned home to more district – and even state and national – honors.
It also capped a great year for Hargrave athletics, which saw multiple teams make their respective state tournaments.
On the all-district side, Falcons junior Katy Janes, who was spectacular throughout, took home the 21-4A District Pitcher of the Year.
In addition, two Hargrave players picked up first team district honors: senior outfielder Dez Cardenas and sophomore Hagen Pike.
Four Falcons players also grabbed second team all-district awards; three of these players will return to the program next season. Senior shortstop Allie Humphries took home a second team award, as did junior second baseman Andrea Hortch, junior third baseman Bella Reid and sophomore first baseman Christin Hagood.
Also, three Falcons took honorable mention awards; juniors Kenzie Gates, Kyndel Berard and Madison Anderson ended up with those honors.
On the national stage, Janes received another award after the Falcons won the state championship … Extra Inning Softball’s National Player of the Week award.
Janes earned that reward for how she performed in the state championship game, where she allowed just one hit and struck out 11. In that game, she also went two for three at the plate, which earned her the 4A Final MVP.
The softball win ended another great athletic year for the Falcons.
It was a year that saw both their cross country teams make the state meet, their boys golf team qualify for the state tournament, and their girls and boys mixed-doubles tennis teams qualify for the state tournament as well.
The Falcons also won multiple district championships in different sports.
In addition, individuals from the Hargrave girls golf team and the girls and boys track teams qualified for state.