DES MOINES — The Iowa Newspaper Association released its All-State teams this morning, selecting three teams for all four classes.
While no Jasper County players were selected, there were plenty of area conference players pegged in three different classes.
In Class 3A, state tournament qualifier Knoxville received three picks.
On the second team, junior Eric Jones was named as a pitcher for the Panthers. He had a 9-2 record this season with an earned run average of 1.69.
Also on the second team was junior Lance Daugherty at the utility position. He had a .407 batting average, while teammate Blake McWilliams — a senior — was named to the third team in the infield. He had a .433 batting average.
Norwalk senior Kyle Simpson also was picked to the second team in the outfield. He had a .412 batting average this season as the fourth Little Hawkeye Conference player selected.
In Class 2A, two Heart of Iowa Conference players were selected to teams. On the first team, Gilbert junior Joe Goodman was selected as a utility player. He was 10-0 on the mound this season and had a .427 batting average for the Tigers.
On the third team, North Polk sophomore Noah Pickard was selected to the infield. He had a .468 batting average this season for the Comets.
The South Iowa Cedar League had four players selected between Class 2A and Class 1A.
In Class 2A, senior Jordan Hohense was named to the second team at pitcher for BGM. He had a 10-4 record with an earned run average of 0.71.
In Class 1A, Sigourney junior Andrew Utterback was named to the first team. The outfielder for the Savages had a .506 batting average this season.
Two more players were named to the third team — HLV senior Sheldon Gryp and Keota junior Tanner McClenahan. Gryp had a 7-0 record as pitcher with an earned run average of 1.66, while McClenahan had a .494 batting average as an infielder for the Eagles.
