Seven seniors named finalists for first Colorado Gold Softball Award

Seven Colorado senior softball players are finalists for the inaugural Colorado Gold Softball Award, which recognizes accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and through community service. The winner will be announced Nov. 15 and will receive a trophy, a $1,000 scholarship, an honorary banquet and recognition at a Colorado Rockies game in the spring.

Broomfield catcher Brynlee Taga helped her team claim consecutive Class 5A championships. This season, she batted .500 with 45 RBIs, six home runs and a .635 on-base percentage while committing just one error. Named CHSAA’s Class 5A Player of the Year, Taga has a 4.59 GPA and lists Black Hills State as her college destination. Her activities include volunteering with A Precious Child and Food Bank of the Rockies and serving on Broomfield’s Student-Athlete Leadership Team.

Cherokee Trail pitcher and outfielder Sydney Cobb finished with a school-record 321 career strikeouts. She helped the Cougars reach the Class 5A semifinals this season, hitting .408 and recording a 1.83 ERA across 24 games. The Memphis-bound senior has a 4.37 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society. Her more than 100 hours of service included tutoring children, helping at elementary science fairs and participating in toy and blanket drives for Children’s Hospital.

Shortstop Kiley Glenn contributed to two Class 4A championships and the Lions’ Class 5A runner-up finish this season. She hit .546 with 38 RBIs, nine doubles, six triples and three home runs this year. Glenn, whose college destination is Iowa, has a 4.37 GPA. She volunteered with the Miracle League of Metro Denver, helped prepare a Vacation Bible School at Journey Church, worked at a food bank and collected trash in Castle Rock with the Road Rangers.

Pueblo County captain and catcher Tylee Glenn batted .506 with 32 RBIs and a .580 on-base percentage as the Hornets reached the Class 4A semifinals. She has a 4.75 GPA and remains undecided on college. Glenn organized a fundraiser for Riverdale Ridge player Charlie Halliday, who died in a car crash. She also volunteered with youth softball programs and participated in her school’s mentorship program for middle school students.

Erie pitcher Sophee Horovitz recorded 183 strikeouts and a 2.64 ERA in 25 games while helping the Tigers reach the Class 5A semifinals. With a 4.42 GPA and Rochester listed as her college destination, Horovitz also played viola in the school’s symphonic orchestra. Her more than 140 service hours included performances at retirement homes, food bank and community garden work, assistance for elementary teachers and blanket-making for children in foster care.

Jenna McGinnis, CHSAA’s Class 4A Player of the Year, pitched the Wizards to their first championship in 20 years after two consecutive runner-up finishes. She posted a 0.79 ERA with 162 strikeouts in 21 games this season, including three perfect games. The Idaho State-bound pitcher has a 3.75 GPA, helps with a children’s Bible-study camp and runs pitching camps for younger players.

Eaton catcher and outfielder Isabella Ramsey hit .459 with 21 RBIs, 14 doubles and five home runs as her team advanced to the Class 4A quarterfinals. She has a 3.6 GPA and is uncommitted to a college. Ramsey’s community activities include Future Farmers of America, community gardening and Citizenship Washington Focus, a leadership and civic engagement program. She also volunteered for food drives and at a local senior center.