WAYNE – A handful of Wayne High softball athletes have been listed in the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star for their postseason accomplishments.
According to the Wayne Softball social media account, Tori Kniesche, Kendall, Dorey, Kayla Fleming and Hope O’Reilly were recognized.
Kniesche was honored by the OWH as All-Nebraska First-Team and Class B First-Team as well as First-Team All-Class, First-Team Class B and an honorary captain for Class B in the LJS. Kendall Dorey was tabbed First-Team Class B in the OWH and Second-Team Class B in the LJS.
Kayla Fleming and Hope O’Reilly both were awarded with Honorable Mention recognition in the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star.
Mid State conference accolades were awarded to Tori Kniesche, Kayla Fleming and Kendall Dorey as All-Conference athletes as well as Hope O’Reilly, Aliah Schulz and Brooklyn Kruse being Honorable Mention.
Wayne High finished their season at 35-4 after going 5-1 at state. The fourth-ranked Blue Devils defeated #5 Hastings (4-0) Wednesday and got past #8 Seward (8-0) Thursday before falling to #2 Beatrice (1-0) that evening. Friday saw WHS win three straight of eliminating Seward (9-1) then defeating Beatrice twice (6-1/5-3) to be crowned champions for the second straight year.
The Blue Devils are the only softball team to win a state championship in two different classes (Class C 2003/2004/2018 and Class B 2019). WHS has qualified 17 times to the state tourney while also securing three Class C runner-up finishes (2007/2009/2013).