State champion Lady Coalers to be recognized

Courtesy photo THE 2010 ILLINOIS High School Association [IHSA] class 2A Softball Champion Lady Coalers will be honored for their outstanding achievements on and off the playing field during half-time of the Coaler football game on Friday, Sept. 16. The Lady Coalers achieved a perfect 40-0 record that season.

By: 
STAFF REPORT

The 2010 Lady Coaler Softball team was like no other, a team that won the state championship with a perfect 40-0 record.

Led by coach Brad Schmitt, the Lady Coalers marched through the season that ended on a stormy night in Peoria. That evening they headed back to Coal City with medals around their necks and a 2A State Championship trophy—the first for a Coaler softball squad—for the school.

The team was led by the three K’s—Kirsten Verdun, Krista Watson and Kristen Arndt—all contributing to the school record books.

Verdun was named the state’s Player of the Year and went on to a successful college career at DePaul University [two time All-American]. She played for the Chicago Bandits and is currently an associate softball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As a team they set school and state records, and were lauded for their outstanding efforts both on and off the field The village of Coal City honored them with recognition of the town’s water tower and this weekend the accolades will continue.

In honor of the team’s historic run, Coal City High School will recognize the players and coaches of the 2010 season during half-time of the Coaler football game on Friday, Sept. 16.

The recognition was planned to mark the 10-year anniversary of the championship season, but the pandemic got in the way of that and delayed the ceremony.

Superintendent Chris Spencer said a majority of the team will be at Dzuris Stadium on Friday for the much deserved ceremony. “

Exciting times,” he said of the upcoming event.

Joining Verdun, Watson and Arndt on the field that season were Lindsey Canady, Bryanna Phelan, Lauren McGlasson, Allie Budde, Molly Manietta, Rachel Halloran, Allie Lardi, Madison Giordano, Tabitha Dabulskis, Hannah Boresi, Rachel Burroughts, Morgan Carrigan and Morgan Youskevtch.

Assisting Schmitt were coaches Allan Wills and Jim Mikula and keeping the stats was Ben Ryan.