Softball Awards Season

By Joe Krivit

The Midwest Conference (MWC) All-Conference Softball awards were announced last week and reflected a strong season by the Vikings.

Lawrence shortstop Amanda Jaskolski was awarded the North Division Player of the Year and third baseman Anna Wawiorka and infielder Alex Chiodo were also selected to the North Division all-conference team.

Jaskolski, a junior from Shawano, Wis., ended the season with a .409 batting average, an on-base percentage of .475 and a .727 slugging percentage, all of which ranked fourth best in the MWC. Additionally, she had 30 RBIs and six home runs.

“Being awarded MWC Player of the Year is a huge honor for me. The award just makes being a transfer and being faced with a number of different obstacles all worth it,” said Jaskolski. “It’s also a huge honor because this is an award for the team and school as well.”

Jaskolski transferred to Lawrence from Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga. this past year and has certainly found her niche on the team as well as in the conference. When asked what led to her success this year, she stated that “the support of the teammates and coaches” were instrumental to her achievements.

Fortunately for Jaskolski and the rest of the Vikings, she still has one more year on the team. “Next season I hope to bring more leadership to the team and just offer as much as I can to the underclassmen while I still have the time to do so,” she said.

Along with being selected the North Division player of the year, Jaskolski was also named to the First-Team in the All-Great Lakes Region.

Chiodo, a senior from Chicago, Ill., and Wawiorka, a sophomore from Oconto Falls, Wis., were also selected to the MWC All-Conference team.

Chiodo batted .333 with 26 hits, 19 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .462 in her final season in a Viking’s Uniform. Wawiorka finished the season with a .330 batting average, 12 RBIs, a slugging percentage of .523 and 2 home runs.

It is clear that not only their teammates, but also their opponents, recognize that Jaskolski, Chiodo and Wawiorka were instrumental in a very successful season for the Vikings.