The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball player, Alyssa Thorson, was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association's All-American Second team as an outfielder. This is the team's first NJCAA All-American since 2010. Thorson had a tremendous year, already being named a 1st Team All-Region player, a NFCA All-American, the Easton Gold Glove recipient, and the conference defensive player of the year.
Thorson had this to say about receiving the award, "I am beyond grateful for this award. I want to take this opportunity to thank my family for all of their love and support throughout my softball career. I want to thank my teammates and coaches for making me a better softball player but also a better person."
Thorson, a sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, is the daughter of Rob and Kristin Thorson. She played in 44 of 54 games, only being sidelined for an injury in the middle of the season. Thorson compiled a .520 batting average, a .566 on-base percentage, and a .900 slugging percentage. She racked up 78 hits, including 21 doubles and 12 homeruns. From the leadoff position, Thorson scored 42 of her teammates, while crossing the plate 73 times herself. She stole 37 bases on the season and was only caught stealing one time. Impressively, Thorson struck out just three times on the entire season.
Thorson has also cemented herself in four different spots in the Iowa Lakes Community College softball record book. She is third in career batting average (.489), fourth in career stolen bases (62), eighth in career runs scored (122), and tenth in career homeruns (18).
"This honor could not go to a more deserving person than Alyssa. She had one of the best years that I have seen from an athlete at Iowa Lakes. Alyssa was able to not only make an impact at the plate, but also in the field. This is what gained her the respect of fellow opponents and coaches. She will be greatly missed next year," commented Coach King.