Gabrielle Simmons led the Harker Heights softball team in a number of statistical categories –– both offensive and defensive –– during the District 12-6A season, and the junior was rewarded for her efforts.
Simmons, a junior pitcher and first baseman, was voted by the league’s coaches as a first-team all-district recipient for the 2024 season, highlighting the Lady Knights group of awards that were announced this week.
In all, a combined seven Lady Knights earned either first team, second team or honorable mention in a district that included Class 6A state runner-up Waco Midway, and there were eight who received academic all-district recognition.
Harker Heights graduated five seniors from its 2024 squad but head coach Alison Carr said her team will return a strong Class of 2025 group that thrived as juniors and are beginning their progress into leadership roles for the upcoming season.
“This season was a chance to rebuild. We will come back stronger next year, and I’m excited about what I’ve seen so far,” Carr said.
Simmons posted a .531 batting average during 12-6A play. Three of her 17 hits over the course of the 10-game slate were home runs, and she had 10 RBIs. In the circle, Simmons recorded 22 strikeouts in 36.2 innings. Taking into account the entire season, Simmons hit .483 with five HRs.
Landing among second-team honorees were a pair of juniors, Mackenzie Uschan and Brianna Warriner.
Uschan, a second baseman, batted .357 in district while Warriner, an outfielder, recorded a .350 average, including 14 hits that ranked second on the team.
Honorable mentions went to senior Allyncia King (third base), senior Leilani Leon-Guerrero (outfield), junior Marivel Reyes (shortstop) and freshman Janelly Rios (pitcher).
By maintaining a 90-and-above GPA during the season, Mercedes Anderson, Rios, Je’Neiya Russell-Dukes, Reyes, Leon-Guerrero, Kylee Plake, Lewansi Luna-Guzman and Leila Osuna were academic all-district honorees.
Photos by student Makaila Sims, Killeen Career Center Chronicle Sports Photo Team
