Coleman’s DenRuyter/Crivitz’s Tracy Are M&O Co-MVPs

This season was a more than solid year for M&O softball talent with two teams standing out above the rest in the conference standings. Those teams were the Coleman Cougars and the Crivitz Wolverines. Both were honored for their great 2024 campaigns with selections to the first team as well as a share of the season’s Player of the Year award. Third place in the standings, the Niagara Badgers were also well regarded in the first team selections with three making the list to tie the Wolverines in most positions secured.

Taking three spots on the first team and a share of the Player of the Year award were the Crivitz Wolverines. 

The Wolverines ended the season with an 8-2 conference readout, Only taking losses to the undefeated Conference Champion Coleman Cougars.

When asked about about his teams success and what it took, Crivitz head coach Mike Tracy said, “Our team’s success this year was just that. A true team effort.  When you have a great duo on the mound and behind the plate, and the rest of the team ready to make plays, going into every game no matter who we faced, we expected a victory.  I can’t wait to see how we grow and get better as a team next season.”

Much of what made the Wolverines so dangerous was their battery. The pitching and catching duo for the Wolverines was nearly perfect in all games played this season, and one would have been hard pressed to find a more capable two out there.

In the circle for the Wolverines was Isabelle Danielczak, and her pitching abilities did not go unnoticed among area coaches as she bagged one of her team’s three first team positions. What made Danielczak such a dangerous player was not just her pitching but her hitting as well. One just has to look back to the first game of the season when she clubbed a walk off grand slam to defeat the visiting Laona/Wabeno Rebels. A feat she repeated this season as she opened the season previous with an identical feat against the same team.

“Isabelle had a great season on the mound and at the plate,” said Crivitz head coach Mike Tracy. “She did the bulk of our pitching, throwing 129 innings, and had a 16-4 record.  She also had 135 strike outs.  At the plate she had a batting average of .476 and 28 RBI’s.  Isabelle put in a ton of time in the off season, working on multiple new pitches and dialing in the accuracy of her fast ball.  I can’t wait to see what she has in store for next season.”

Behind plate, Danielczak had a brick wall defense, helping her to confidently whip pitches all season long. That solid iron glove was in the hand of the season co-player of the year Taryn Tracy. Like Danielczak Tracy sported one of the best bats in the conference this season. Helping to propel her team to more than a few wins.

“Taryn had a lights out season for us,” said coach Tracy.  “Her first at bat this year was a 3 run home run, and she never let up from there.  Taryn led our team with a batting average of .649 and also led our team with 29 RBI’s, even while missing the last 5 games due to an injury. Having Taryn behind the plate was key for us, her knowledge and leadership kept us rolling.  She has an incredible work ethic and has a true passion for the game.  As her dad I know firsthand how much work she puts in during the off season.  It’s pretty special being her coach and seeing it all pay off.”  

Tracy was also named to First Team All District.   

Joining the list of first teamers from the Wolverine dugout was Hattie Frievalt. Frievalt made it on the list for the infield, and played a solid short stop for the Wolverines. Like her teammate Taryn Tracy she is a sophomore and has two more season to help bring the Wolverines to the top of the conference.

“Hattie is a 2nd year return starting shortstop as a sophomore, and did her duty well as our lead off batter this season,” said coach Tracy.  “She did an outstanding job getting on base,  has incredible speed, and great base running knowledge. Defensively she has a great arm, and speed to match.   She had an on base percentage of .633 which in turn led our team with 32 runs scored.”

On the second team the Wolverines saw Tayah Werner and Isabella Wesoloski both make the team for their infield play while Madelyn Welty made the second team in the outfield.

When talking about this past season in the M&O it would be impossible to tell the story without talking about the Cougars of Coleman. The Cougars were unstoppable in conference play and near unstoppable in non conference play as well. Touting a perfect 10-0 record amongst M&O opponents to secure a flawless conference championship as well as holding a more than respectable 21-5 overall record. The post season was a cherry on top for the Cougars who secured a Regional Championship and earned their schools first Sectional Championship with a win over Random Lake. Unfortunately their path to the state championship was blocked, falling to a tough Falls Creek team in the state semi.

When telling the story of the M&O and by proxy the story of the Coleman Cougars, again it would be impossible to tell that story without repeatedly saying the name Courtney DenRuyter. Strikeout after Strikeout after Strikeout was earned by what could be said to be one of the best pitchers the M&O conference has ever seen. This season DenRuyter finished up her 2024 campaign with 300 strikeouts and finished her career with a whopping 721 strikeouts for the Cougars. An absolute nightmare for local hitters hoping to find a base.  On the season DenRuyter offensively drove in 34 RBI’s with a batting average of .436.  And for her efforts DenRuyter took a share of the season’s MVP award.

When asked what made DenRuyter such a top notch player her head coach Jean LeVash said, “It’s her love for the game. She would play the game 24/7-365 days a year if she could.  She has great competitiveness and a strong work ethic. Courtney put a tremendous amount of hours into developing her pitching.  Most coaches have to push their players to put time into the game. With Courtney it was the opposite.  We often found ourselves reminding her to take some time off.  We would tell her to give her body a little rest. She definitely was the best player in the Conference. There weren’t many players that were able to get a bat on Courtney’s pitches.  If you were to draft a dream team, in my opinion, Courtney is your number one draft pick.”

LeVash went on to describe what the past four years of coaching her was like saying, “It was all about having to be patient and allow her to make mistakes as she grew and developed. Just being patient and allowing the process to work.  Watching her grow and develop into becoming one of the best pitchers to come out of our area was worth the journey. I really think she helped “Grow the game.”  She definitely pushed everyone to be better and looked for opportunities to take the game to the next level.”

DenRuyter was selected and played in the WFSCA All Star Game this season as well and was selected to the WFSCA All District First Team and the WFSCA All State  Second Team.

On the second team Cougar Alyssa Kurth made the list at catcher while home run hitter Macy Nowak made the list for the infield. Annabell Markiewicz made the second team in the outfield.

Niagara named three to the first team as well posting senior Aiva Champeau to the infield, Senior Emma Broullire as catcher and junior Malory Sanicki to the outfield.

Joining the list on the second team for Niagara was Bristol Sanicki for her efforts in the infield.

Gillett/Suring struggled to make head way this season with the big three handing out loses like candy. But that’s not to say this team didn’t shine just as brightly as the others. One of their stars shined very brightly this season in the infield of the Hornets. Her name was Emma Kristof and she earned her first team with her stalwart junior season in the infield. 

“Emma continues to be an amazing team leader who always encourages her teammates to do their best and be their best,” said Gillett/Suring head coach Kari Kristof. “Emma does not hesitate to step up to help wherever she is needed on the field.  She has stellar game awareness, always anticipating the next play. Her dedication to this sport and her team shows both on and off the field. She ended the season with a .466 batting average, OPS .544, with 27 hits, 1 HR and zero strike outs. As Emma’s coach, I couldn’t be more proud of her. She is an amazing athlete and I wish nothing but the best for her.”

Joining the second team for the Gillett/Suring Hornets was Bailey Stuart in the outfield.

Fourth place Wausaukee also joined the list of teams with two first team selections as Helen Phillips made the team being posted in an outfield role while Lydia Schaal was posted to the team for her infield play.

“Helen was a complete joy to coach,” said Wausaukee head coach Sue Stoltenberg. “She was the type of player that came ready to work hard and improve every day. She was the true leader of the outfield and was able to cover a ton of ground with her speed.  She led the team in put outs in the outfield and played every inning of every game. At the plate her speed on the bases put pressure on the defenses we faced.  Helen was a great senior leader and we will need to get to work as a team to find someone to fill her shoes.”

The Wausaukee softball program this season saw their team MVP make the first team list as well. Lydia Schaal did everything her team required of her while playing with grit and determination.

“ Lydia was our team MVP,” said Stoltenberg. “She was a solid player for us and in the Conference. Definitely one of the top shortstops in the area. She was always a consistent player and team leader.”

The season’s second team list saw Wausaukee appoint Keaghan Stumbris in the pitching position and Melody Schaal at catcher.

Lena/STAA’s Adrena Rabas also found a spot on the First team list for her outfield play this season.

Lena/STAA’s Hannah Thomson joined the second team for her play in the infield.

M&O 2024 ALL-CONFERENCE SOFTBALL TEAM

CONFERENCE CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR:

Courtney DenRuyter-Senior-Coleman

Taryn Tracy-Sophomore-Crivitz

-First Team-

Pitcher

Courtney DenRuyter-Senior-Coleman, Isabelle Danielczak-Junior-Crivitz

Catcher

Taryn Tracy-Sophomore-Crivitz, Emma Broullire-Senior-Niagara

Infield

Aiva Champeau-Senior-Niagar, Hattie Frievalt-Sophomore-Crivitz, Emma Kristof-Junior-Gillett/Suring, Lydia Schaal-Junior-Wausaukee

Outfield

Helen Phillips-Senior-Wausaukee, Adrena Rabas-Freshman-Lena/STAA, Malory Sanicki-Junior-Niagara

-Second Team-

Pitcher

Keaghan Stumbris-Sophomore-Wausaukee, Elesia Sweig-Sophomore-Niagara

Catcher

Alyssa Kurth-Sophomore-Coleman, Melody Schaal-Senior-Wausaukee

Infield

Macy Nowak-Sophomore-Coleman, Bristol Sanick-Freshman-Niagara, Hannah Thomson-Junior-Lena/STAA, Tayah Werner-Senior-Crivitz, Izabella Wesoloski-Freshman-Crivitz

Outfield

Annabell Markiewicz-Junior-Coleman, Bailey Stuart-Senior-Gillett/Suring, Madelyn Welty-Senior-Crivitz

-Honorable Mention-

Peyton Dorow-Junior-Lena/STAA, Autumn Dryja-Senior-Gillett/Suring, Alyssa Hoida-Senior-Coleman, Kirsten Pusick-Sophomore-Crivitz, Aubrey Watson-Sophomore-Wausaukee