Youth and experience. While the two words seem to be in contrast to one another, they work well together in describing the 1996 Deseret News Most Valuable Players for girls softball.
The recipients of Utah's most coveted softball honor include two seniors - Union's Jenny Werry and Monticello's Carley Garner - who represent the development of the sport to its accomplished position today. Two sophomores - Bingham's Candee Bowden and Box Elder's Taryn Nichols - represent the youth of the game and the bright future it holds.Together, the four players headline this year's all-state teams, which were selected by a vote of the state's coaches.
5A - CANDEE BOWDEN, BINGHAM: After receiving honorable mention recognition for her performance last season, this sophomore took over the main pitching duties and helped guide the Miners to their fifth state title.
Bowden's stats this season were impressive, with a 15-1 record, two no-hitters, a perfect game, a 0.589 ERA and 105 strikeouts. But head coach Mikki Jackson is won over more by Bowden's steady temperament.
"Her emotions are very even keeled," Jackson said. "Whether she was struggling on the mound or not, you couldn't tell by looking at her."
Despite suffering her first loss of the season in the semifinals of the state tournament, Bowden bounced back in the championship game and pitched out of a sticky situation in the last inning to set up her team's last-minute heroics.
"She had confidence in her teammates and in herself," Jackson added. "She didn't do it just then, though. She did it all season long."
4A - TARYN NICHOLS, BOX ELDER: Like Bowden, this sophomore also became the main starter for the defending state champion Bees and played a vital role in Box Elder's repeat title run, although her play was very unexpected.
Even though Nichols went 9-1 her freshman year, including three state tournament victories, 1995 MVP Lisa Hashimoto and freshman Marci Neff were expected to get plenty of mound time this year.
"We thought we were going to have to split duties between three pitchers," Box Elder head coach Jim Fuller said. "But she just got stronger as the year went on . . . and each game built confidence on the other."
Nichols finished the season with a 21-1 record, but the state tournament put an exclamation mark on her MVP year. Nichols won all five games Box Elder played and had an ERA of 0.44. She also threw two one-hitters in the tourney, both times losing no-hit bids in her opponent's final at-bat.
3A - JENNY WERRY, UNION: This season was one of conversion for Werry - to the infield that is. Having played the outfield since her freshman year, injuries forced Union coach Loa Kay Bowthorpe to ask the senior to play the hot corner - third base.
The three-sport academic all-state player was a bit nervous, but was willing to learn the techniques of learning to pick up bunts from slaps hits in time to make the needed out.
"She just said, `If that's where you need me I'll do the best I can for you,' " Bowthorpe said. "She did a fabulous job."
The No. 1 hitter for the Cougars with a .676 batting average, Werry drove in the winning run in both the game that put Union into the state tournament and in the state championship game against Richfield. Werry's talent and a 3.97 GPA helped her garner a basketball/softball scholarship at Colorado Northwestern Community College next year.
2A - CARLEY GARNER, MONTICELLO: In the Buckaroos' drive for the state championship, Garner might have been nicknamed 'Gopher.' When the Buckaroos needed something, Garner was able to provide it.
Strong pitching? You got it. The senior struck out 185 batters in 112 innings pitched this season and tossed a shutout against Juab in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Power hitting? No problem. Home runs were plentiful during this season for Garner, who had an astounding 1.437 slugging percentage and a .656 batting average on the season.
She produced a homer in the state championship game that helped Monticello rally from behind for its first softball title.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1996 Deseret News prep softball all-state teams
Class 5A
MVP - Candee Bowden
Bingham, sophomore, pitcher
First Team
P - Michelle Boam, Jr., Bonneville
P - Shelby Scadden, Jr., Fremont
P - Tiffany Yates, Jr., Alta
C - Andrea Davis, Jr., Taylorsville
1B - Heidi Olsen, Sr., Bingham
2B - Stacy Holmes, Sr., Alta
SS - Michelle Powell, So., Bingham
3B - Camie Hales, Sr., Alta
OF - Kelly Borich, Sr., Bingham
OF - Amberly Johnson, Jr., Alta
OF - Jessica Elliott, Sr., Hillcrest
DP - Shantell Stoddard, Sr., Bingham
Second Team
P - Joni Bardsley, Jr., Hillcrest
P - Melanie Sorensen, Sr., Bountiful
P - Allysha St. Clair, So., Taylorsville
C - Cassie Alvey, Jr., Alta
1B - January Hauskenecht, Jr., Taylorsville
2B - Molly McLean, So., Bingham
SS - Brit Staveley, Jr., Taylorsville
3B - Tracy Farley, Jr., Taylorsville
OF - Misty Lundberg, Sr., Hillcrest
OF - Kristan Pratt, So., Taylorsville
OF - Kami Larson, Jr., Bingham
DP - Denise Nelson, Sr., Roy
Honorable Mention - Nohemi Garcia, Taylorsville; Sabrina Dinkel, Taylorsville; Tara Allred, Roy; Erica Hernandez, West Jordan; Nicole Wilkinson, Brighton; Tori Sandoval, Roy; Lisa Roberts, West Jordan; Shilo Adams, Fremont; Bret Criddle, Fremont; Heather Mecham, Taylorsville; Kari Lewis, Highland.
Class 4A
MVP - Taryn Nichols
Box Elder, sophomore, pitcher
First Team
P - Jodi Stevens, Sr., Pl. Grove
P - Cari Dallof, So., Murray
P - Cara Ross, Sr., Payson
P - GeriDawn Anderson, So., Bear River
C - Sunny Smith, Sr., Pl. Grove
1B - Jamie Tate, Jr., Tooele
2B - Heidi Simper, Sr., Box Elder
SS - Jamie Bleazard, Sr., Murray
3B - Shandee Nelson, Jr., Box Elder
OF - Lisa Hashimoto, Sr., Box Elder
OF - Carrie Cook, Sr., Murray
OF - Amaris Weber, So., Payson
DP - Buffie Chournos, So., Bear River
Second Team
P - Brandy Butler, So., Tooele
P - Julianna Pearson, Sr., Ogden
P - Natalie Nickell, Sr., Pl. Grove
C - Natalie Neff, , Sr., Box Elder
1B - Jessica Carpenter, Sr., Ogden
2B - Minnie Francom, Sr., Pl. Grove
SS - Allyson West, Jr., Pl. Grove
3B - Kylee McMurdie, Sr., Bear River
OF - Wendy Haramoto, Jr., Bear River
OF - Linsey Francom, Sr., Pl. Grove
OF - Tami Martin, Jr., Sky View
DP - Elisa Salazar, Jr., West
Honorable Mention - Sarah Nay, Box Elder; Krissy Poulsen, Bear River, Angie Hill, Tooele; Lisa DeVargas, Judge; Angie Christiansen, Woods Cross; Kim Frandsen, Box Elder; Lori MacFarlane, Bear River; Tricia Strieby, Tooele; Elecia Hardy, Spanish Fork; Vicki Neiswender, Murray; Sondi Marinos, Judge; Jaylynn Davis, Cyprus; Leslie Levitre, Pleasant Grove.
Class 3A
MVP - Jenny Werry
Union, senior, third base
First Team
P - Roxy McBride, Jr., Union
P - Lindy Moss, Jr., Richfield
P - Mary Brinkerhoff, Jr., Emery
C - Bonnie Hatch, So., Uintah
1B - Annicka Oman, Sr., Emery
2B - Rebecca Wilson, Jr., Richfield
SS - Jenni Nielson, Sr., Union
3B - Robin Lusby, Sr., Snow Canyon
OF - Jessica Jensen, Jr., Snow Canyon
OF - Emily Eliason, Sr., No. Sanpete
OF - Elizabeth Chamberlain, Sr., Richfield
DP - Marlyce Rawlins, Jr., No. Sanpete
Second Team
P - Janell Jensen, Jr., Uintah
P - Maria Cook, Sr., No. Sanpete
P - Alana Hovey, So., Snow Canyon
C - April Meacham, Fr., Union
1B - Hollee Stevens, Jr, Union
2B - Elizabeth Dyches, Sr., No. Sanpete
SS - Cyndi Cook, Sr., No. Sanpete
3B - Cheridan Horrocks, Jr., Uintah
OF - Dawna Wallace, Jr., Uintah
OF - McKelle Stilson, Jr., Emery
OF - Kristee Greathouse, Sr., Delta
DP - Jenna Chase, Jr., Delta
Honorable Mention - Tami Nielson, Union; Mande Dugan, Uintah; Lynn Daniels, Richfield; Liz Cranney, Uintah; Charlea McKinnon, Union; Patricia Ebert, Hurricane; Cami Carlson, Carbon; Crystal Reese, Lehi; Anneka Johnson, Uintah; Ali Gressman, Carbon; Tara Seegmiller, Pine View.
Class 2A
MVP - Carley Garner
Monticello, senior, pitcher
First Team
P - Kim Dalene, Fr., Manti
P - Angie Strickland, Fr., Grantsville
P - Sharo Bayles, Sr., San Juan
C - Angie Olsen, Jr., Manti
1B - McCall Eyre, Jr., Beaver
2B - Donni Jo Phillips, So., Juab
SS - Julie Blazzard, Sr., So. Summit
3B - Makenzie Gillins, Sr., Beaver
OF - Dallas Bice, Jr., Morgan
OF - Amber Lyons, Sr., Manti
OF - Amy Jones, Jr., Manti
DP - Jamie Steele, Jr., Grand
Second Team
P - Mary Johnson, Sr., Millard
P - Christine Mellor, Jr., Juab
P - Nan Roberts, Jr., So. Sevier
C - Krista Coleman, Jr., Monticello
1B - Mary Matthews, Sr., Grantsville
2B - Danielle Torres, Fr., Grand
SS - Brittany Smith, Jr., Beaver
3B - Suzanne Eardley, So., Monticello
OF - Arin Shumway, Jr., San Juan
OF - RaDona Steele, Jr., Juab
OF - Breezy Vigil, Jr., Monticello
DP - Stephanie Kolan, So., Morgan
Honorable Mention - Lucy Tracy, Monticello; Jenny Gottfriedson, Manti; Tina Howarth, Juab; Dani Scow, Grantsville; Brandi Pickett, Gunnison; Brittani Gordon, South Summit; Angie Pierro, Manti; Lupe Alba, Monticello; Carrie Hinck, Morgan; Jackie Thornton, San Juan; Brandy Robinson, Millard; Heather Garrard, Grantsville; Shadoe Shaheen, North Sevier.