DuQuoin Lady Indians hold annual awards banquet: Kenzie Jackson named Lady Indian softball MVP!

The Du Quoin Lady Indians held their annual awards night banquet. Coach James began his speech by thanking Mike Robertson and Dwight Hill for taking pictures throughout the 2016 season. He also thanked Wayne Born of the Du Quoin Evening Call and Doug Daniels for their newspaper coverage for their pictures and stories throughout the 2016 season.

Coach James then named and handed out certificates to the following freshmen:Haley Williams, Kate Smith, Morgan Bullar, Chloe Hill, Meryn Gross, Arrah Barwick, Maci McKinnies, Mackenzie Sizemore, and Olivia Whitley.

He then named the sophomores on the team: Avery Shively, Grace Haney, and Kaley Alleshire. Next he read off the names of the juniors on the team are Sadie Day, Kat Robison, Kenzie Jackson, Natalie Dietzch, and Emily Born.

The senior team members are Afton Robinson, Jordyn Bullar, and Alaina Caldwell.

He then read off the six Lady Indians that made first or second team all conference. They were Chloe Hill Second Team All Conference Pitcher. Katie Smith Second Team All Conference Infielder. Alaina Caldwell Second All Conference Outfielder. Morgan Bullar All Conference Infielder and Kenzie Jackson All Conference First Team Pitcher.

Coach James then handed out the team MVP Award to Kenzie Jackson. She was voted upon by her team members. Coach James gave Natalie Dietzch, who was a foreign exchange student from Germany, the Most Improved Award. She had never played softball until the beginning of this season. She got her first hit in a JV game and she received a standing ovation after reaching first base. She was given a plaque, by the DHS Booster Club member Chuck Smith.

It had the picture of the moment of her key hit and her teammates in jubilation. She was given other gifts including her Lady Indians jersey to take back to her home in Germany.

Coach James said that Natalie's father back in Germany said "Softball is just like baseball but for girls to play!" Coach James commented on their 18-18 record this year. He was hoping to have a better record but he saw a different team after their first game against Waltonville. They started to play together more as a team and started battling back and winning more games. After the banquet a players vs parents game was held on the field, with 30 plus people playing on both teams until the ball couldn't be seen anymore because of darkness!