Female finalists for 'Athlete of the Year'

Videos and bios of the finalists for 2013 Gazette Female Athlete of the Year:

KAYLA ARMSTRONG, Cedar Rapids Xavier

The latest of soccer stars at Xavier, she led the Saints to four state championships, extending the school's title streak to eight. She scored 34 goals as a sophomore, 34 as a junior and 47 as a senior (including

four in the championship match) as the Saints went 19-1. A three-time first-team all-state selection. Led the way as Xavier caught fire in the basketball postseason series, capping it with a

23-point outing in the state finals, scoring with eight seconds left as the Saints edged Harlan 53-52 for the Class 4A championship. She was the captain of the 4A basketball all-tournament team. Will play soccer at Drake University.

ALLY DISTERHOFT, Iowa City West

Earned

Miss Iowa Basketball 2013 honors and was the

Gatorade state player of the year as a senior, in addition to being the Gazette/KCRG

player of the year. Led West to three state-tournament appearances, including the 2012 Class 4A championship. The Women of Troy were runners-up in 2011. Led the state in scoring last winter, averaging 26.3 points per game. Concluded her career with 1,590 points. A key middle-distance runner on the West track team earlier in her career, she played volleyball as a senior and led the team in blocks (1.01 per set). Will play basketball at the University of Iowa.

MICKEY HANSCHE, Iowa City High

City High enjoyed major success in girls' sports this past school year -- a state runner-up finish in volleyball, a No. 1 ranking in basketball -- and Hansche was the glue in both of those sports.

 Led the volleyball team in digs (3.75 per set) and served 98 percent with 41 aces. In basketball, she averaged 14.9 points per game, shooting 43 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the free throw line. Also a member of a state-placewinning relay in track and field and a team leader in golf. Will play basketball, and hopes to also play golf, at Coe College.

DANESHIA SNITKER, Waukon

A four-sport athlete, she excelled most in basketball and softball. Led all Class 3A basketball scorers at 25.5 points per game, a figure that ranked third in all classes and set a school record. Shot 56 percent from the field and earned first-team all-state honors. The softball team went on an unlikely run to the state tournament in 2012, and Snitker led the team in batting average (.407), runs (34) and RBIs (33), among other categories. Led the volleyball team in kills and blocks, and was a track and field letterwinner. Plans to play basketball and softball at the University of Dubuque.

MADISON WEEKLY, Benton Community

Made an immense impact on the Benton basketball program, leading the Bobcats to state three straight years. Finished her career with 1,552 points, 365 assists and 383 steals, averaging 18.5 points per game as a senior. Bobcats were ranked No. 1 during her junior year, but she was unable to play at state because of a broken wrist. An elite distance runner during her younger high school days, she won a state 1,500-meter title in track as a freshman and was a three-time state cross country qualifier, finishing ninth as a sophomore. Will play basketball at the University of Northern Iowa.

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