State softball runners-up take the stage

“Softball is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. It’s a game that’s set up for you to fail,” Jordan McKinney said as she stood behind the podium on awards night. “By the end of the season these girls had it figured out.”

She gestured toward the 2022 Pershing County High School softball team. 

They stood on the auditorium stage in front of their trophies.

McKinney should know. She’s been playing softball for 25 years, coaching for five of them.

“I’m still learning the game,” she said.

The coach introduced each girl individually. The audience of parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers and friends applauded. 

They included two freshmen: Raegan Burrows and Aaliyah Allen. The six sophomores were KayLee Poffenroth, Kaylah Hanley, Yasmine McKinney, Anna Happy, Taylor Garland and Madyson Grenz. 

The juniors were Marya Burke, Andrea Canchola and Kaylen Halverson. 

Marina Corcuera, Sidonie Cassoret and Gabriella Denaldi each came to the United States as exchange students. They had never played softball before. “I’ll miss them like crazy next year,” McKinney said.

McKinney teared up as she spoke about Kassandra Swindlehurst, Aledda Sam and Bela Rosas, the seniors. Their freshman year was her first as head softball coach. 

It was the second time a speaker cried happy tears that evening. The other was when Presley Burrows gave her sister Raegan the #23 necklace.

All nine starters made it onto an al- conference team. 

Honorable mentions went to Halverson and Swindlehurst. Allen, a catcher, made the second team. So did Madi Grenz and Raegan Burrows.

First team All-Conference awards went to Yasmine McKinney, Anna Happy and Bela Rosas.  Taylor Garland was the Northern Nevada 2A Pitcher of the Year. 

Happy and McKinney made second team All State. Garland and Rosas made the first team.

In addition, Rosas won the Lisa Christofferson most improved female athlete award. Sam won a personal achievement award. 

Presley Burrows won the Peter Thomsen Memorial Award for the outstanding female athlete. Raegan Burrows took home the Larry Donaldson Underclassman basketball award and the No. 23 necklace.

What is the No. 23 necklace?

There are no hard and fast rules for the #23 necklace, a phenomenon that sprang up from a long ago Christmas present. When each athlete graduates they give the necklace to an up and coming athlete of their choice.

• For Christmas 2007, Walter and Coni Brinkerhoff gave the 23 necklace to their daughter Kayla Brinkerhoff. Kayla was a sophomore. Her basketball jersey number was 23.

• When Kayla graduated in 2009, she gave the necklace to Sarita Jo Condie, soon to start her freshman year. Condie wore it throughout high school.

• Condie passed it on to Mikayla Renfroe, a track phenomenon. 

• Renfroe gave it to Daralyn Moura (Class of 2020).

• Moura gave it to Presley Burrows (Class of 2022). •She wore it for her junior and senior years.

• On Tuesday, May 24, Presley Burrows presented the necklace at awards night for the first time – to her sister, Raegan Burrows, a freshman. One day Raegan may give it to the next in line.