Western Nebraska Community College was well represented on the All-region softball team that were released last week.

                The Cougars garnered six players on the first team. Ashley Thomas earned distinction as a pitcher, Lauren Oxford as a catcher, Jasmine Wessel and Celyn Whitt as infielders, and Emily Selby and Julia Suchan as outfielders.

                Thomas, a freshman from Pueblo, Colorado, started 44 games for the Cougars on the mound and finished with a 28-14 record. She tossed 240 innings, while striking out 101. Thomas finished the season with a 4.78 earned run average.

                Oxford, a sophomore from Las Vegas, led the Cougars in hitting this past season with a .526 batting average. The sophomore, who is headed to West Virginia Tech University next year, finished the season with 22 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 65 runs scored and 77 RBIs.

                Wessel, a sophomore from Thornton, Colorado, was a mainstay at short stop this season. Wessel finished the season with a .489 batting average, connecting on 31 doubles and 15 home runs. Wessel, who will be attending Metro State next year to play softball, finished with 74 runs scored and 88 RBIs.

                Whitt, a sophomore from Broomfield, Colorado, played second base for the Cougars and was the team's primary lead-off batter. Whitt finished the season with a .442 batting average and connected on a school record 32 doubles. She also had three triples, six home runs, 80 runs scored, and 62 RBIs. Whitt also swiped 19 bases. Whitt will continue her playing at Metro State next year.

                Selby, a sophomore from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was the Cougars starting centerfielder this past season. Selby finished the season with a .411 batting average with 19 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, 47 runs scored, and 63 RBIs. Selby will be attending Ft. Lewis College to play softball next year.

                Suchan, a freshman from Calgary, Alberta, played right field and finished the season with a .431 batting average. Suchan tallied 25 doubles, three triples, and six home runs. Suchan also had 82 runs scored and 56 RBIs, while stealing 12 bases.

                The rest of the Region IX first team included Lamar's Larissa Royer and Lauren Reed as pitcher; Lamar's Caitlyn McCarthy as catcher; McCook's Alexis Moeaki, and Trinidad's Isabella Navarro and Chelsey Runyon as infielders; Otero's Miranda Davis and Lamar Mercedes Salazar as outfielders; McCook's Angelica Evans as the designated player; and Lamar's Mackenzie Rowlett as utility player.

                Trinidad's Navarro was the Region IX Player of the Year, while Lamar's Royer was the Freshman of the Year.