Troy High softball team had one third of its starting lineup on All-State honor team

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

TROY — If the All-State team is reserved for the best of the best in any given season, the Troy High softball team must have been pretty good in 2009.

The Colts finished the year with a 32-9 overall record and earned a trip to the Division 1 quarterfinals, so “good” may be an understatement.

But when talking about some of his individual players, specifically three of his starters who were recently named to the 2009 All-State team, coach Tom Calnen called it “something extremely special.”

“You don’t see that too often,” Calnen said of having a third of his starting lineup earn All-State honors. Junior pitcher Jordan Wheatley is joined on the team by junior second baseman Sara Dykowski and junior catcher Katie Dunn.

“It’s awesome, though, because we go at it so hard. I push these girls all season, and I think the thing that keeps them going is the realization that success will come to those who work for it,” he added. “We’ve always been a squad that puts the team first, but these three girls have certainly earned this.”

Wheatley may be the best known of the three. The junior right-hander, who has already accepted a scholarship to Penn State University, closed out the 2009 season with a 28-6 record.
           
In 211 innings pitched, she recorded 324 strikeouts, walked only 45 batters and finished with a 1.13 ERA. For good measure, she led the Colts with a .524 batting average and 52 RBIs.
           
“Physically, she has gotten much stronger, but it’s her mental approach that really sets her apart,” Calnen said earlier this month about Wheatley, who earned All-State recognition for the third time in three years. “She’s learned how to compete on each and every pitch. That’s made her even better.”
           
“Each year, I challenge myself to get better in some way,” Wheatley said. “This was a pretty cool year for me. To see a lot of the work and effort I put in pay off was very rewarding.”
           

Second to none

           
Calnen referred to Dykowski, a two-year starter at second base, as a “phenomenal player.”
           
 “(She is) the type (of player) any coach wants on the field and on their team. She’s always in the right spot at the right time.”
           
Dykowski committed just four errors in 110 fielding opportunities and ended the season with a .964 fielding percentage. Offensively, she finished with a .490 batting average, a .573 on-base percentage and 50 hits while striking out only twice in 102 at bats.
           
“The effort we got from Sara on a daily basis was incredible,” Calnen added.
           
“To be honest, I was really surprised,” Dykowski said of the honor. “I guess you never know what to expect once a season comes to an end. To get that call and get this recognition is so awesome. It’s really an honor for me.”
           
Did having three All-Staters, along with teammate Catherine Chamberlain — an All-State honorable-mention selection — make Calnen’s job any easier?
           
“I don’t know,” he laughed. “I guess my biggest challenge is just trying not to screw them up. They’re good enough.”
           
You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Sara Dykowski, pictured sliding into home during districts, earned All-State honors for the first time in her career. The junior had a .490 batting average, a .573 on-base percentage and 50 hits while striking out only twice in 102 at bats.