Hansen, Erbe honored as Metro’s best

Maddie Hansen of Cedar Rapids Jefferson has been selected as the Metro softball player of the year, as voted upon by the coaches.

Hansen, a senior catcher, is hitting .504 with 19 doubles, 11 home runs and 46 RBIs. She was walked 30 times this season. She will play at Kirkwood Community College next season.

Jefferson's Brian Erbe is the Metro coach of the year after guiding the J-Hawks to a 35-7 record, including 22-4 in the Mississippi Valley Conference. The J-Hawks are ranked third and will gave Linn-Mar (25-17) in a Class 5A first-round game at the state tournament Monday.

The J-Hawks had three first-team selections. Prairie, Kennedy, Xavier and Linn-Mar had two apiece, Washington one.

ALL-METRO SOFTBALL

First Team

Jefferson - Maddie Hansen, Alyssa Olson, Hannah Towns. Prairie - Natalie Halvorson, Gabi Carter. Kennedy - Tianna Drahn, Ashley Hamilton. Xavier - Erin Drahozal, Morgan Breitbach. Linn-Mar - Elison Ollinger, Maddy Ryan. Washington - Jessi Puk.

Player of the year - Maddie Hansen, sr., Jefferson

Coach of the year - Brian Erbe, Jefferson

Second Team

Jefferson - Alissa Good, Avery Guy, Erin Kuba, Kennedy Dighton. Prairie - Amanda Pipolo, Shelby Frederick. Xavier - Charlotte Richards. Marion - Sydney Nielsen, Maddie Knapp. Linn-Mar - Ally Johnson, Christina Lincoln. Washington - Dana Riley.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com