Area Players Recognized in North Dakota Class B All-State Softball Team

GRAND FORKS — In an impressive display of talent, four athletes from the region have been named to the North Dakota Class B all-state softball team, as determined by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association. Leading the way are three players from Thompson: junior Cindy Eliason, senior Kya Hurst, and senior Claire Kolling. Additionally, junior Mya Luehring from Nelson County-Midkota earned a spot on the prestigious list.

The Tommies concluded their season with a fifth-place finish at the state tournament, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Beulah in the quarterfinals. Eliason showcased her skills throughout the season with a batting average of .524, contributing nine doubles and an impressive 38 RBIs. Hurst followed closely, boasting a .516 average that included five home runs and 34 RBIs. Kolling added to the team's success with a .434 batting average, three triples, and significant contributions of 31 runs, 19 walks, and 10 stolen bases.

On the other hand, Luehring put forth an exceptional performance for Nelson County-Midkota, achieving a remarkable .661 batting average. Her stats included 11 doubles, five triples, and one home run, along with 33 RBIs. In the circle, she pitched 88 innings, striking out 80 batters while maintaining a 6.31 ERA.

Other standout players recognized in the all-state team include Taya Aufforth from Renville County, Grace Balas from Velva/Drake-Anamoose, and several others, highlighting the depth of talent across North Dakota's high school softball scene.