Western Nebraska Community College softball player Haille Weber earned another honor this week after the NJCAA announced its all-American recipients.

                Weber, who was Region IX's Player of the Year, earned second team All-American honors for an outfielder. Weber becomes only the seventh Cougar to earn NJCAA all-American softball recognition. The last one was Jessica Ball in 2014 as a second teamer.

                Weber said while it is an honor to be recognized, the credit lies with her coaches.

                "It is a great honor to be named a second team NJCAA All-American and I am proud to call myself a Cougar," the Longmont, Colorado, native said. "I would really like to thank Coach [Maria] Winn and Coach Katie [Groves] for being my biggest supporters and pushing me to see my potential, as well as my teammates who have seen the worst and best of me."

                WNCC's other NJCAA all-American candidates included Bianca Duran, a third team selection in 2013; Katie Groves, a second team selection in 2009; and Kelsey Garner (first team), Lauren Mills (second team), and Kara Ryman (second team) in 2008.

                The season that Weber had was outstanding, finishing in the top three in four of the national categories. Weber led the nation with 114 RBIs, was second in runs scored (104), third in hits (109), and third in doubles (31).

                Weber is also the only Cougar to finish with triple digits in runs scored, RBIs, and hits in a season.

                Weber finished the season leading the team in batting average at .522 and had a slugging percentage of 1.062 and an onbase percentage of .587. Weber not only finished with 109 hits, but of those hits, she had 31 doubles, 14 triples, and 18 home runs. She also swiped 31 bases and earned 30 walks.

                "I am very surprised with the outcome of my season, but I am thankful to have been part of such a strong support system of girls," she said. "Knowing I gave everything I had out on the field this year, excites me for what next season has in store."

                Weber said the coaching she received helped her succeed, but she also gained confidence at the plate by her walk-out song, "Islands in the Stream."

                "I believe 'Islands in the Stream' has grown on me and is definitely a confidence booster in the box, especially when the team got together to sing it when the speakers didn't," she said. "I will never forget at away games, Coach Katie would sing it to me to help get me in the zone as if it was played at a home game."

                The Cougars finished the season with 53-13 and captured their second straight Region IX title. The Cougars fell in the District E playoff game to Butler Community College. Butler went on to win the NJCAA national tournament in May.

                Weber also picked up another honor this week from the Fastpitch News all-American teams along with teammates Andy Hancock and Kenzie Sawyer. Weber and Sawyer were named to the FPN NJCAA FPN First Team Offensive teams, while Hancock was an FPN honorable mention pitching selection.

                Weber said all the hard work was worth it and she is looking forward to next season.

                "Everything was worth it in the end with the girls I spent most of my time with out on the field throughout thick and the thin," she said. "I would like to thank the friendships I have built and the close community that were always there to support us! I look forward to what Team 13 has to offer because I'm hungry to see the other side of Districts."

                Butler placed just two players on the NJCAA all-American team – both first teamers – in infielder Morgan Bohanan and outfielder Megan Wurts.

                Other first team selections included Courtney Gettins of Florida SoutWestern; Mariah Jameyson of Odessa; Kalen McGill and Brooke Barlow of Central Florida; Lexi Smith of Temple; Tyler's Abby Walker and Tanna Hule; Northeastern Oklahoma A&M's Rylee Bayless; Galveston's Mariah Garcia; Central Arizona's Kawehi Kahana; Hillsborough's Shannon Bell; Salt Lake's Rae Gall and Ashlee Crabtree; and Seminole State's Destinie Lookout.

                Joining Weber on the second team include Ilona Andringa of Chipola; Jessica Flores of Arizona Western; Maitlin Raycroft of Galveston; Amy Robinson of Yavapai; Hannah Sparks and Savannah McHellon of Northwest Florida State; Theresa Gonzalez of McLennan; Jessica Mohl of Indian River; Alexis Paulo-Meyers and Isabelle Mejia of Eastern Arizona; Cassie Siataga of Midland; Alissa Taylor of Seminole State; Kelsee Cullop of Central Florida; and Shannon Plese and Lillie McCrary of Chattanooga State.

                Third team selections include Madison Didion of Barton; Gretchen Greer of Columbia State; Amber Landry and Jazlyn Crowder of Tyler; Emily Oestreich and Jenna Jones of Lake Land; Bailey Winters of Wabash Valley; Taylor Beshears of Wallace State; Keala Cordeiro of Gulf Coast; Jade Lee of Iowa Western; Courtni Smith of Crowder; Gabriela Santos of Chipola; Jasmine Thompson of Shelton State; Ansley Wilbanks of Georgia Military; Edrienne Williams of Central Florida; and Katie Ventress of Rose State.