Meet the Sentinel Softball Team of the Century: Vote for the top player of the 2000s

This summer The Sentinel will release its team of the quarter century for multiple sports. The teams will be comprised of the top athletes from 2000-2024.

Readers are encouraged to vote online for the player of the century.

Next is softball. The team was chosen by position and does not include anyone still in high school. Here is the lineup:

Pitcher: Madie Jamrog, Hamilton

One of the most versatile players in area history, Jamrog was an all-state pitcher and led the Hawkeyes to their first district title and regional finals appearance. She threw several no-hitters and also batted near .500 the last two years of her career, earning her a scholarship at Akron.

Pitcher: Brooke Leonard, Zeeland East

While many softball pitchers dominate with speed, Brooke Leonard used her guile and arsenal of pitches to become one of the top softball players in area history. She earned all-state honors as a sophomore, junior and senior and was named Sentinel Softball Player of the Year three times before pitching at Cornerstone.

Pitcher: Selena Beltran-Pena, Fennville

One of the top softball pitchers in area history, Selena Beltran-Pena was dominant in the circle. She earned all-state honors and was the Sentinel Player of the Year as a senior. She could also hit with the best of them, making her a difficult opponent all over the field at Fennville and when she played at Hope College.

Pitcher: Kaylie McConnell, West Ottawa

The Holland Sentinel Player of the Year was a dominant force in the circle and went on to pitch at UM-Dearborn and threw a no-hitter during her college career.

Pitcher: Kayle Stevenson, West Ottawa

One of the best to power and mix up speeds, Stevenson was the top pitcher in the area before taking her talents to Ferris State.

Catcher: Carly Sleeman, Zeeland West

Miss Softball dominated with the bat for four years at Zeeland West to become the most feared hitter in the history of the area. Earned all-state honors all four years and plays at Central Michigan.

Infield: Elaine Whitbeck, West Ottawa

One of the top infielders and base runners in area history, Whitbeck got on base a lot and turned that into runs. She earned a scholarship at Eastern Michigan and after an arm injury was a premier pinch-runner that stole a lot of bases and created a lot of runs.

Infield: Nikki Kupres, Saugatuck

Playing catcher, Kupres turned in one of the best seasons in area history, batting. 578 with 59 hits and 48 RBIs as a senior to earn all-state honors and was selected for the High School All-Star Game at Michigan State.

Infield: Brooke Nienhuis, Zeeland West

One of the elite two-sport stars, Brooke Nienhuis was an all-state softball player at Zeeland West and also one of the best basketball players in the area. She went on to play both sports at Hope College and was an All-MIAA performer in softball.

Infield: Courtney Sleeman, Zeeland West

In four years, she played at West Ottawa, Zeeland East and Zeeland West, but everywhere she went, she hit. One of the best sluggers in area history, she set school records at East and West for home runs before playing at Western Michigan.

Outfield: Haley Hoogenraad, Zeeland West

One of the most well-rounded athletes in history, Haley Hoogenraad made her mark in several sports. She was a state meet qualifier in both cross country and track and field. She also was one of the top basketball players in the area during her career. But her best sport was softball. She was all-state for the Dux and ended up at the University of Michigan as a starting outfielder. But her four-sport legacy at Zeeland West lives on.

Outfield: Rita Maslanka, Saugatuck

A fleet runner, Maslanka was able to track down anything in the outfield. On the bases, she was even more fearsome, turning singles into runs with her stealing ability. She went on to play at Benedictine University.

Outfield: Alexa Brott, Zeeland West

One of the top pitchers in the area, Brott also played a lot of outfield. Her bat powered her way into the lineup at a young age and she started for four years on varsity, earning all-conference and all-area honors all four seasons for the Dux.

Utility: Katie Carlson, Zeeland East

Utility: Kenzie Siersma, Zeeland West

Utility: Leah Gruppen, Zeeland East

Utility: Olivia Slenk, Holland Christian

Utility: Morgan Engelsman, Zeeland West

Utility: Hannah Lane, Zeeland East

Utility: Hannah Klenk, Hamilton

Utility: Mandee Michielsen, Zeeland West

Utility: Blair Breslin, Zeeland East

Utility: Jenna VanRhee, Zeeland East

Utility: Sarah Doss, Hamilton

Utility: Hannah Goble, West Ottawa

Utility: Ashton Maloney, Holland

Utility: Marissa Beltran-Pena, Fennville

Utility: Lindsay Cossey, Fennville

Utility: Kirby Arendsen, Zeeland West

Utility: Emily Brown, Zeeland East

Utility: Hanna Walker, Saugatuck

Utility: Emma Walker, Saugatuck

Utility: Taylor Zwagerman, Zeeland West

Utility: Abby VandenBerg, Hamilton

Utility: Kyra Kleinheksel, Hamilton

Utility: Krista Carter, West Ottawa

Utility: Sadie Clay, West Ottawa

Utility: Riki Ediger, Hamilton

Utility: Sara Medendorp, Zeeland East

Utility: Maddie Klenk, Hamilton

Utility: Meri Klenk, Hamilton

Utility: Bre Luurtsema, Holland Christian

Utility: Shannon Turner, Fennville

Utility: Jaiden Lee, Zeeland East

Utility: Amber Kobylski, West Ottawa

Utility: Lily Brower, Zeeland West

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Meet the Sentinel Softball Team of the Century: Vote for the top player of the 2000s