Teutopolis Welcomes Home Softball Lady Shoes

(THE HARDWARE ACCUMULATED BY THIS YEAR'S TEUTOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAM INCLUDING THE SECOND PLACE STATE TROPHY)

The Teutopolis Lady Shoes softball team was welcomed home Sunday afternoon during a ceremony at J.H. Griffin Gym, one day after they played for the Class 2A State Championship.

While the squad came out on the short end of a 9-3 championship game final score, the enthusiasm of a good sized crowd was not dampened.

Teutopolis Athletic Director Andy Johnson served as Master of Ceremonies for the Welcome Home.  

(ANDY JOHNSON)

Teutopolis Village President Greg Hess proclaimed Sunday as "Teutopolis Lady Shoes Softball Day".  He noted it's the third Welcome Home of which he's been a part in the little more than one year that he's served as mayor.

School Board Secretary Carl Repking spoke, noting three things he sees as keys to Teutopolis' success...the teaching staff, the school administrators, and the parents and grandparents.

Paul Hardiek spoke on behalf of the Teutopolis Sportsbackers, who have done much in recent years to provide funding for Unit 50 athletics and Kevin Schumacher spoke as a representative of the parents of the players, offering the wish, "May today's success be the start of tomorrow's achievements."

McKenzie Wermert spoke on behalf of the players, thanking their coaches and her teammates for their contributions.

(McKENZIE WERMERT)

The four seniors on this year's squad...Jessica Schumacher, Kaitlin Smith, Charlotte Wente and McKenzie Wermert...were given special recognition.

During his remarks, Teutopolis Coach Rich Niebrugge thanked his wife and children and his parents for their support and encouragement, his assistant coaches Ron Cowman and Pat Drees, all of those at school who help in a variety of ways, the parents and, of course, his players. This year's squad finished with a 29-4 record and a first-ever Final Four appearance in softball for Teutopolis.

(RICH NIEBRUGGE)

Our News and Sports Director Greg Sapp spoke with Rich Niebrugge after Sunday's Welcome Home event...