Four Blue Ponies named Central A All-Conference

It was a strong ending to the 2017 springs sports season for the Havre High softball team, after the Blue Ponies won a game at the Class A state tournament. Now, four Havre High players have earned All-Conference honors.

The 2017 Central A All-Conference Team was released recently, and four Ponies made the list, including senior Jacey McDonald, who not only earned First-Team All-Conference honors, but also Class A All-State honors. McDonald was Havre’s top hitter this past season and was a standout defensively as well.

Joining McDonald on the First Team was fellow senior Nicole Parsons. The Blue Ponies’ full-time catcher, Parsons also had an excellent season at the plate, and for her efforts, was named a First Alternate to the All-State Team.

Havre sophomore Janae Boles was also named Second-Team All-Conference. Boles played outfield for much of the season for the Blue Ponies, and was also an excellent hitter. Senior Madison Tommerup also earned Second-Team honors in her final season as a Blue Pony. Tommerup anchored a solid HHS infield, and had a strong season at the plate for the Ponies, who finished third in the Central A this season.

State champion Belgrade led the way with 10 players being named All-Conference, as well as three who earned Class A All-State honors. Lewistown had two All-State and four All-Conference selections, while Livingston had one All-State player and two All-Conference. Browning also had one player selected to the All-Conference Team.

Former Big Sandy Pioneer and Havre North Stars’ standout Mike Mangold was named Central A Coach of the Year. Mangold has been the head coach at Lewistown for the past several seasons.

Central A All-Conference Softball

First Team

Shania Neubauer, Belgrade; Carley Carpenter, Lewistown; Jacey McDonald, Havre; Paige Gavne, Livingston; Ty Atwood, Belgrade; Erin Elges, Belgrade; Valerie Kolstad, Belgrade; Nicole Parsons, Havre; Colista Pachl, Belgrade; Gracia Butcher, Lewistown

Second Team

Katie Hoppe, Belgrade; Hailey Curry, Belgrade

Dani Gapay, Lewistown; Janae Boles, Havre

Madison Tommerup, Havre; Skye Ingram, Livingston; Lindsey Lee, Livingston; Montan Bremner, Browning; Kinsey Irvin, Lewistown

All State

Shania Neubauer, Belgrade; Carley Carpenter, Lewistown; Jacey McDonald, Havre

Paige Gavne, Livingston; Ty Atwood, Belgrade

Erin Elges, Belgrade; Valerie Kolstad, Lewistown; 1st Alternate - Nicole Parsons, Havre; 2nd Alternate - Colista Pachl, Belgrade; 3rd Alternate - Gracia Butcher, Lewistown

Coach of the Year

Mike Mangold, Lewistown