By Tom Anderson, Head Coach
Iola-Scandinavia senior softball players Brooklyn Berrens and Rayanne Clendenning were selected by the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (WFSCA) to play in the Wisconsin Senior All-Star Softball Series. This event will showcase the most talented senior softball players in Wisconsin. The games will be on Tuesday, June 16, at Woodside Sports Complex in Wisconsin Dells. Brooklyn and Rayanne will play on the Gray Team at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
All-star players were nominated by their coaches but were selected by high school coaches from around the state for their softball accomplishments throughout their high school careers. The all-stars will arrive in Wisconsin Dells on Monday, June 15, for an afternoon practice and attend a banquet in the evening before playing two games on Tuesday.
Brooklyn was a four-year varsity letter winner, and Rayanne was a three-year varsity letter winner in softball, and they have each played in over 60 varsity softball games. As a freshman, Brooklyn was the starting catcher on the 2023 state championship team and hit the memorable inside-the-park grand slam in the seventh inning against Waterloo to propel the Thunderbirds to a 10-6 championship win. Brooklyn was also named Division 4 state player of the year in 2023.
Brooklyn earned all-conference, all-district, and all-state honors her freshman and sophomore years. Brooklyn was unable to play in her junior year due to a leg injury. Rayanne was the T-Birds’ number-one pitcher her junior and senior years, earning second-team all-conference honors both years. Brooklyn will attend Madison College to play softball and enroll in the dental hygiene program, while Rayanne plans to join the Air Force.
“Both Brooklyn and Rayanne are very deserving of this honor to be an all-star,” stated Coach Tom Anderson. “They both started playing softball at a very young age and continued to play travel league softball in the summer during high school. Brooklyn also played volleyball in high school, while Rayanne played basketball and ran cross-country. They also excelled in the classroom, with each earning Academic All-State honors in softball. Finally, both young ladies have great family support!”
Brooklyn and Rayanne will be playing on the Division 4/5 – Gray Team. Their teammates include Ruby Bartholomew from Eleva-Strum; Emma Baumann from Waterloo; Opal Buchanan from Melrose-Mindoro; Ari Cavanaugh from Assumption; Marlie Hartmann and Jayla Reinke from Bonduel; Lilly Luchini from Wild Rose; Laila Sanders from Random Lake and Manhattyn Udelhofen from Potosi/Cassville. The coaches for this team are Tom Anderson, Stacy Bestul, and Brooke Manely from Iola-Scandinavia.
Previous Iola-Scandinavia softball players selected to play in the all-star series includes Maddie Much and Julia Munoz in 2024, Marin Hoyord and Jaelyn Sivertson in 2023, Alexa Christoph and Makayla Much in 2022, Mackenzie Kielblock and Hannah Melum in 2020, Kendall Johnson in 2017, Jane Oligney in 2015, Mary Marx and Morgan Oppor in 2011, Kendall Erickson in 2010, Anne Marx and Lizzy Nelson in 2009, Cailin Foerster in 2008, Ashley Draeger and Brooke Anderson in 2007, Ashley Johnson in 2006, and Eulalie Moe in 1997.
Each senior selected for this honor is required to raise money for this event. A portion will be donated to the Wisconsin Special Olympics. If you would like to make a small donation on behalf of Brooklyn and/or Rayanne, please click on this link.
