The University of North Dakota softball team has plenty to celebrate this season, with four standout players earning all-Summit League recognition. The conference announced the honors on Tuesday, highlighting a season of strong individual performances that powered the Fighting Hawks.
Leading the charge, junior pitcher Tegan Livesay from Newton, Kansas, was named to the first team. Livesay posted a stellar 13-10 record with a 2.79 ERA over 22 starts and 140.1 innings of work. She notched 15 complete games and 105 strikeouts, ranking third in the Summit League in ERA and second in batting average against. Her dominance in the circle was a key factor in UND's competitive season.
Freshman outfielder Jaedyn Valdez earned a spot on the second team, making an immediate impact in her debut season. Hailing from Arroyo Grande, California, Valdez led UND with a .349 batting average, along with three home runs, 18 RBIs, 23 runs, 44 hits, 14 doubles, and a .955 OPS. She also topped all Summit League freshmen in batting average, proving she's a rising star to watch.
Two more Hawks received honorable mention nods. Senior catcher Taya Hopfauf, a Dickinson native, hit .274 with five home runs, 30 RBIs, and 24 runs. She also set a program record by appearing in 207 career games, a testament to her durability and leadership behind the plate. Sophomore infielder Makenna Alexander from West Fargo contributed a .271 average with five home runs, 29 RBIs, and 26 runs, providing consistent power in the lineup.
In other local sports news, Kori Zarzutzki has been hired as the new women's basketball coach at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake. Zarzutzki previously served as head coach at Southwestern Community College in Iowa and has experience at Central Christian College of the Bible and Oak Hills Christian College. She steps in for Colden Hutton, who has transitioned to athletic director for the Royals.
Meanwhile, Northland women's basketball freshman Kenzie Dahl has been named to the NJCAA Division III All-American First Team. Dahl, a product of Badger-Greenbush-Middle River High School, averaged 18.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She was earlier named the Minnesota College Athletic Conference North Player of the Year, leading the Pioneers to a 23-5 record and a MCAC North Division title. Northland finished third at the national tournament after a narrow 57-55 loss to Anoka-Ramsey in the semifinals.
Finally, Grand Forks Central boys wrestling coach Garrett Litzinger has been selected as the North Dakota Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Under his guidance, the Knights placed sixth at the state dual tournament and had seven wrestlers finish in the top eight individually—a strong showing that reflects Litzinger's dedication to building a competitive program.