Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (May 13 to 18)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for high school sports contests played May 13 to 18. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner, with nearly 19,000 votes cast in her favor, is:
Danica Butler, Auburn Riverside softball
Top Ravens arm threw 17 combined innings across three district-tournament games, helping Auburn Riverside to a runner-up finish and state berth. Went 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA (17 IP, 5 ER), 24 strikeouts, and seven walks.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
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Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Rylee Aloisio, Franklin Pierce softball — Hit two home runs and drove in six runs in Franklin Pierce’s opening-round 2A District 2/3 win over Kingston.
Danica Butler, Auburn Riverside softball – Top Ravens arm threw 17 combined innings across three district-tournament games, helping Auburn Riverside to a runner-up finish and state berth. Went 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA (17 IP, 5 ER), 24 strikeouts, and seven walks.
Gracie Carey, Gig Harbor softball – Second baseman hit a grand slam and went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBI in Gig Harbor’s upset win over Bonney Lake, 13-3, in Thursday’s district tournament. Tides placed third in the bracket and secured a state berth.
Brooklyn Crass, Olympia softball – Shortstop went 4-for-4 with three doubles, three runs, and four RBI in Saturday’s district opener over Bethel. Olympia cruised in five innings, 18-2.
Alyssa Harris, Enumclaw softball — In 2A district state seeding game against Fife, Harris pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits, three earned runs, a walk and striking out 10 in 5-3 win.
Kayla Kisling, Auburn Mountainview softball – Her go-ahead, two-run home run in the seventh inning of Saturday’s district clash lifted Auburn Mountainview over Bonney Lake, 5-3. The Lions went on to clinch a state berth.
Jaidyn March, White River softball — Went 4-for-5 with five RBI and four runs scored in White River’s win over Lindbergh in the opening round of the 2A District 2/3 tournament.
Riley McGee, Sumner softball – In a winner-to-state rivalry with Puyallup, the two-way star went 3-for-3 with two home runs, four runs, and three RBI in Sumner’s 11-6 win that clinched a state berth. In the circle, tossed a seven-inning complete game with zero walks and seven strikeouts (10 H, 6 R, 1 ER).
Addy Meyers, Sumner softball – Facing elimination, her 2-for-2 performance with a home run, double, four runs, and two RBI propelled the Spartans to a mammoth, 25-0 win over Bethel on Friday.
Taylor Orgeles, Emerald Ridge softball – Jaguars shortstop drove in half of Emerald Ridge’s 10 runs in a five-inning mercy win over Kennedy Catholic in Friday’s district opener. Her two-run homer in the fifth inning was the effective walk-off. Went 1-for-2 with three runs and five RBI.
Kyra Smith, Puyallup softball – In win-or-go-home fashion, Smith’s three-run home run in Saturday’s first inning provided instant support in Puyallup’s 6-4 win over Decatur. Smith added a walk, helping clinch a state berth.
Sarah Wright, Kentwood softball – Conquerors ace threw a complete-game shutout over Emerald Ridge in Saturday’s district semifinals, a 1-0 win. Wright fanned 13, issuing five walks and six hits.
This story was originally published May 20, 2024 at 12:25 PM.
