The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears senior softball players will be recognized at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on Melvin Park Field before their game against Thunder Mountain.
Crimson Bears Amira Andrews, Zoey Billings, Gloria Bixby, Carlynn Casperson, Anna Dale, Bailey Hansen and Mariah Schauwecker have left a legacy that includes a dominant state championship as sophomores in which Schauwecker and then freshman Kiah Yadao were all-tournament selections and Dale earned player of the game status along with then freshman Tristan Oliva. They have also helped the Crimson Bears secure the number one Southeast Conference bid to the state tournament June 1-3 by virtue of their season record and will try to earn the Region V tournament title in Sitka May 25-27.
“This group of seniors is special,” JDHS head coach Alexandra “Lexie” Razor said. “They lost their freshman year because of COVID and came in their sophomore year to lead us to a state title. Their Junior year did not turn out as everyone hoped and they came back with a vengeance their senior year. They are a hard working and fun loving group that has a lot of softball knowledge. The coaching staff will miss their energy and positive attitude. We know that all seven of them will accomplish great things in life and we look forward to hearing about all of their successes.”
The JDHS softball seniors are:
Amira Andrews – outfield, No. 21.
Favorite food – Tacos.
Favorite music – Country.
Other pastimes – Hang out with family.
After high school – Taking a gap year and becoming a future salon owner.
Advice to young players/students – Just play hard, fight for your position and have fun.
Coach Razor says – Amira is our joker on the team. She finds a way to make us smile and laugh on a regular basis. Coaches will miss her presence on the field and in the dugout. We may even miss her giving us a hard time and making fun of us. We look forward to see how she does next year while attending beauty school.
Zoey Billings – right field, No. 1.
Favorite food – Pasta.
Favorite music – I like all music.
Other pastimes – I like running, I’m in student council, I run clubs at school, I like to read.
After high school – Going to Utah Tech University (St. George, UT), my major is undecided.
Advice to young players/students – Don’t be late you’ll have to run, and always have a smile on your face.
Coach Razor says – Zoey is the type of teammate that every coach wants on their team. She thinks about everyone on the team and tries to make them feel included and valued. She has a kind heart and big smile that will be missed next year. We look forward to hearing about all of the great things she accomplishes while attending Utah Tech in the fall.
Gloria Bixby – second base/pitcher, No. 12.
Favorite food – Tacos from Deckhand Dave’s.
Favorite music – I really like ’70s rock.
Other pastimes – I like fishing and being out on the water boating.
After high school – Taking a gap year and going to au pair in Granada, Spain.
Advice to young players/students – Work hard and support your teammates.
Coach Razor says – Gloria is part of softball royalty in Juneau and she has lived up to that role. She is a strong softball player that can play almost any position and will always give 110%. Her smile and positive attitude are contagious and she always finds a way to encourage young players to work hard and have fun. We look forward to hear of her adventures next year as she takes a Gap year to work abroad.
Carlynn Casperson – left field, No. 3.
Favorite food – Anything Mexican.
Favorite music – Anything ’80s music.
Other pastimes – I participate in two other sports so my favorite thing is just staying active.
After high school – Attend Whitworth University (Spokane, WA) and study health sciences.
Advice to young players/students – Always keep a positive attitude and encourage your teammates.
Coach Razor says – Carlynn has grown into being an excellent outfielder and base runner for us. Her positive attitude and determination are valued by her teammates and coaches. We love her ability to see the positives and take feedback to improve her game. We know that she will accomplish great things as she attends Whitworth University in the fall.
Anna Dale – catcher, No. 10.
Favorite food – Tacos.
Favorite music – Country.
Other pastimes – Everything outdoors, like fishing and camping.
After high school – Attend Lebanon Valley College (Annville, PA) to continue playing hockey and get a nursing degree.
Advice to young players/students – Never give up and just stand out from day one. Try your hardest from the beginning.
Coach Razor says – As our catcher, Anna has been the backbone of our team. She is hardworking and leads by example. Her kindness and positive attitude are infectious for everyone around her. While we wish she was playing softball in college, we are all proud of her for following her hockey dreams and playing for Lebanon Valley College next year.
Bailey Hansen – pinch runner/outfield, No. 4.
Favorite food – Tacos.
Favorite music – Country.
Other pastimes – I like to hunt and fish.
After high school – I am going to Montana State University (Bozeman, MT) Gallatin College to get my associates degree in aviation and becoming a pilot.
Advice to young players/students – Take every opportunity you get.
Coach Razor says – Bailey has done an excellent job this year stepping into her role and being an explosive base runner for us. She has worked hard these past three years for us and made huge improvements. We will miss Bailey’s can-do attitude and her constant smile. We wish her all the luck next year as she begins working towards her pilot license.
Mariah Schauwecker – shortstop, No. 11.
Favorite food – Pizza.
Favorite music – Country.
Other pastimes – Hang out with my friends and hang out with my family.
After high school – Attend College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls, ID) to play softball.
Advice to young players/students – Always keep your grades up, they matter. Student comes before athlete and work hard on and off the field.
Coach Razor says – Mariah is the firecracker of our team. She has become an excellent leader and mentor for younger teammates. Mariah has great game knowledge and will make plays happen offensively and defensively for us. Coaches will miss Mariah’s intensity, willingness to leave everything on the field, and her crazy antics that make us all smile and laugh. We look forward to following her softball career as a freshman at the College of Idaho in the fall.