Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

After a long wait under unprecedented circumstances prep sports are set to return in Iowa.

The coronavirus pandemic brought the sports world to a standstill over the past several months causing the cancellation of the entire prep spring sports season and putting the summer sports season in jeopardy.

It was announced last month that summer sports in Iowa would go forward with a shortened season with games beginning on June 15 and the state tournament set for July 27-31.

With the start of the season looming in the days ahead here are nine area players to watch this season.

Ayana Lindsey

Junior, City High

A Northwestern recruit, Lindsey solidified her status as one of the top players in the state with a monster sophomore season in which she was named Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division player of the year and first-team Class 5A all-state honors.

Lindsey slugged a 5A-leading 18 home runs and led 5A with 73 runs scored while batting .463 with 36 RBI and 34 stolen bases from her leadoff spot.

Also among the state’s top pitchers, Lindsey went 21-4 with a 1.33 ERA and struck out 172 in a team-high 162 2/3 innings.

Brylee Klosterman

Senior, Liberty High

An Iowa recruit, Klosterman continued to cement her status as one of the top pure hitters in the state last season.

Klosterman ranked second in Class 4A with 68 hits as a junior on her way to a career-high .489 batting average to help Liberty High reach the regional title game.

The speedy center fielder ranked third in 4A with 19 doubles and second with five triples while leading the Lightning with 42 runs scored, 35 RBI, 21 walks and 13 stolen bases.

Kiahna Hill

Senior, West High

An all-around offensive weapon Hill earned second team all-state honors last season after leading West High in eight offensive categories.

The Women of Troy shortstop had 11 multi-hit games as a junior on her way to a team-high .410 batting average, three home runs and 22 RBI.

Hill scored 19 runs, went 21-for-21 in stolen bases and struck out just four times in 83 at bats while leading West High with a .602 slugging percentage and .438 on-base percentage.

Nicki Henson

Junior, West Branch

A stalwart atop the West Branch lineup for three seasons, Henson was a Class 2A all-state pick and led West Branch in hits for the third consecutive season as a sophomore.

Henson matched her career-high with 58 hits a year ago while posting a team-best .487 batting average while earning second-team all-state honors.

A Lindenwood commit, Henson scored 42 runs and stole 21 bases while leading West Branch to an 18-18 record last season.

Carey Koenig

Junior, City High

A Drake recruit that ranks among the top defensive catchers in the state posted the best offensive season of her career while earning first-team all-state honors for the first time.

Koenig ranked in the top five in Class 5A in home runs (13), RBI (54) and bases on balls (23) while leading City High with a .466 batting average.

As a sophomore Koenig had 15 doubles while posting an .872 slugging percentage that ranked ninth best in Class 5A.

Ainsley Schrock

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

Schrock had the best season of her career a year ago earning third-team all-state and first-team all-WAMAC West Division honors.

As a junior Schrock led Clear Creek Amana with a .430 batting average, seven home runs and 17 RBI and struck out just four times in 110 plate appearances.

Hilary Wilson

Freshman, Solon

Among the top young players in the state Wilson burst onto the scene a year ago earning second-team all-WAMAC honors as an eighth-grader.

Wilson hit .410 with a team-high 21 doubles and five home runs in her varsity debut season ranking second on the team with 44 runs and 38 RBI.

A strong defensive third baseman, Wilson posted a .698 slugging percentage and struck out just 12 times while drawing 11 walks in 150 plate appearances.

Annie Gahan

Junior, Regina

The junior shortstop is looking for a breakthrough season after making big strides a year ago in her first season as a full-time starter.

Gahan hit safely in nine of 10 games to close the season while posting a career-high .270 batting average to go with 16 runs and 15 RBI.

One of five underclassmen in the Regina lineup last season Gahan ranked second on the team with two home runs and 11 stolen bases.

Ella Cook

Junior, City High

A three-year starter Cook enjoyed the best season of her career in the batters box and in the circle while helping City High return to the state tournament for the second consecutive season.

Cook hit .348 with five home runs and ranked second on the team with 51 runs scored and 41 RBI.

To go with her strong offensive numbers and excellent infield play at first base Cook also made strides in the circle where she posted a 14-4 record and 2.41 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 104 2/3 innings.

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