Dassel-Cokato Softball Program

Johanna Ellison, "Dassel-Cokato Softball Program." In The Midst Of. Cokato Historical Society. (October, 2024) vol. 44, no. 3.

D-C Softball, 1995: Mona Weege, Sheila Barber, April Knuth and Melissa Mueller

The Dassel-Cokato Softball team started in 1973. Since then, the team has made it to the State Tournament three times: 1996, 1999, and in 2024.

​In 1996 the Dassel Cokato softball team went to state for the first time in the program’s history. The girls’ record that year was 16-3, and they defeated Rockford in the section champion-ship to advance to state. The team unfortunately lost two close games at state, but teammates Kristi Smith, Jennifer Hillmann, and Amanda Erickson earned All-Conference hon-ors. The team was coached by John Riewer and was com-prised of Emily Kastamo, Kristi Nyman, Lisa Niskanen, Ro-chelle Bollman, Blacke Guenningsman, Katie Keranen. Kristi Smith, Jennifer Jose, Jennifer Hillmann, Jolene Otteson, Leah Martinson, Melissa Woetzel, Alison Kern, Amanda Er-ickson, Amanda Berggren.

The Dassel-Cokato softball team also advanced to the state tournament in 1999, after a 1-0 win over Delano. According to the June 2, 1999, Enterprise Dispatch, Laura Latt pitched a three-hit-shutout and Rachel Beckman scored the only run in the game.

The D-C girls softball team then went on to place third in the state tournament, defeating Austin Pacelli 5-2. The team was also awarded the Sportsmanship Award Banner. Laura Latt and Rachel Beckman made the All-Tournament team.
The state-placing team was led by Head Coach John Riewer and Assistant Coaches Dale Isaacson and John Martinson. The team was comprised of Emily Neutzling, Kristin Terning, Nikki Barber, Brianna Isaacson, Jenna Halonen, Anna McLean, Laura Latt, Rita Halonen, Rachel Beckman, Miranda Piepenburg, Amy Martinson, Naomi Benda, Wendy Narr, Destiny Smith, Bethany Lundeen, Stephanie Isaavson, Tara Storts, Stephanie Struthers, and Melia Danielson.

​Following 1999, the D-C Charger’s softball team did not return to the state tournament until this year, 2024. The 2024 D-C team’s Head Coach Amy Martinson was on the 1999 state tournament team.

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