Sure As Shelton

The best players prevail under pressure and put pressure on their opponents. Kathy Shelton ability to do withstand and wield pressure are just a few reasons why she's the Most Valuable Player of VYPE's All-Collin County Softball Team.

The McKinney North junior consistently proved herself to be among the state's best players at the plate, with the glove and on the base paths. While being named Most Valuable Player of District 9-4A and earning All-State honors, Shelton was the catalyst for the Lady Dawgs' offense, hitting for average, stealing bases and leading the team in runs scored. A varsity starter since her freshman season, Shelton also provided veteran experience as North advanced to within one playoff win of the state tournament under a new coach.

"I didn't really know just how good she was until I got up here," first-year North coach Dan Sedgwick said of the Baylor commitment. "She definitely has got the gift for softball. That's the kind of player she is."

Shelton barely nudged out stiff MVP competition including Offensive Player of the Year Brittany Griffiths who hit .491 with five home runs and 27 RBI and Co-Pitchers of the Year Taylor Jones, who won 20 games for Plano East and Lindsey Rykiel who struck out 287 for Frisco Centennial.

Allen's Karen MacPherson and North's Lindsey Post were voted Co-Defensive Players of the Year.

Sedgwick shared Coach of the Year honors with Plano's Cynthia Zea.


Most Valuable Player
Kathy Shelton, McKinney North

Offensive Player of the Year
Brittany Griffiths, Plano

Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Karen MacPherson, Allen
Lindsey Post, McKinney North

Co-Pitchers of the Year
Taylor Jones, Plano East
Lindsey Rykiel, Frisco Centennial

Newcomer of the Year
Jordan Rowe, Allen

Co-Coaches of the Year
Dan Sedgwick, McKinney North
Cynthia Zea, Plano

First Team
Pitchers
Alexis Cantu, Frisco Wakeland
Abbi Frakes, Plano
Kassidy Holmes, Celina
Elizabeth Lindsey, McKinney Boyd
Kylie Walker, Plano West

Catchers
Paige Burke, Plano West
Amanda Cave, Frisco

Infielders
Joey Cronin, Celina
Brooke Foster, Wylie
Magean De La Torre, Plano West
Vonnie Martin, Plano
Ashliegh MacLean, McKinney North
Stevie Pierce, Plano

Outfielders
MacKenzie Andrews, Plano West
Sarah Becker, McKinney North
Nicki Duff, Plano East
Kari Karr, Frisco
Brittanie Knowles, Celina
Amanda Parsonage, McKinney North

Second Team
Pitchers
Amanda Burke, Prestonwood Christian
Hailey Higgins, McKinney Christian
Jeni Obeter, Frisco
Lissa Pappas, Prosper
Dayna Purl, Plano West
Krystal Ruth, Wylie

Catchers
Jasmine San Miguel, Celina
Danielle Tharp, Plano East
Sara Todd, Wylie

Infielders
Aariote Austin, Plano East
Allison Higgins, McKinney Christian
Meghan Knowles, McKinney North
Kayla Millette, Plano West
Paige Nelson, McKinney Christian
Jordan Strickland, Princeton
Claire Toney, Prosper
Sara Watson, Plano East

Outfielders
MacKenzie Andrews, Plano West
Macy Burr, Plano
Allie Helm, Allen
Lauren Peterson, Plano East
Lya Swaner, Wylie
Laura Terrell, Plano West