A member of the Sigourney Savage softball team is up for one of the highest honors in the state for her character and her attitude as a teammate. Sophomore Kayla Renner has been named one of 43 finalists for the annual E. Wayne Cooley “You Can” Award in softball given out by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.

The award, named after the former executive secretary of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, is given to an athlete and a coach in multiple sports. According to the ICGA, each award goes to an athlete and coach that “illustrates the qualities of determination, character and the values of Pursuing Victory with honor.”

The ICGA’s criteria for the award for a softball athlete is someone who “must show the elements of good character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship). Any athlete who influenced their team in a positive manner while demonstrating great character, overcoming great odds or sacrifice is eligible.”

In her nomination for Renner, Sigourney head softball coach Shelly Streigle says, “Kayla is a selfless athlete on our team. She always has a smile on her face and competes with joy. Kayla never fails to give you her best effort…She cheers and brings her teammates up when they need her support.”

“Don’t think that she isn’t competitive though. Kayla loves to compete and challenges herself to get better and challenges batters to hit her pitch. She is respected by all her teammates, and provides a quiet but constant leadership.”

Renner has been used as a pitcher and a hitter throughout the course of another season where Sigourney won a conference championship and earned a spot at the Class 1A state tournament, as the Savages are 23-7 and ranked sixth in 1A.

Sigourney will be facing Remsen St. Mary’s in the state quarterfinals Tuesday night. You can catch Savage softball at the state tournament on KCII starting with pregame coverage Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock.