Lady Bulldogs make fourth academic all-state team

The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs were recently named to the 2012-13 Academic All-State Team for the fourth consecutive year. Teams that qualify for academic all-state have to maintain a collective 3.5 grade point average. (Photo by Chris Pobst, Staff)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- For the fourth year in a row, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team proved once again they are the true definition of student-athletes.

The varsity team, which consists of, Kirsten Baker, Madison Chaney, Sarah Dixon, Kayla Fodge, Bayleah James, Sydney King, Annie Ramey, Maggie Shepherd, Paige Sailors, Madison Smith, Natalie Regenold and Hannah Placek, made academic all-state first team which means they had a team grade point average of 3.5.

Dixon, King, Ramey, Shepherd and Sailors each received academic all-state individual honors as well.

The team also received the MSHSAA Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award.

"I think it's really important because it shows that not only do we excel on the field, but we also excel in the classroom," said Dixon. "It round you out as a person."

Dixon is one of the few to be an academic all-state individual honoree throughout year entire high school career.

"It's a pretty big honor for me," Dixon said. "I've been able to play varsity softball since I was a freshman and to make the academic first team this whole time is an awesome feeling."

On top of her academic recognition, Dixon was also named to the first team all-district team as was King and Chaney. Ramey, Shepherd and James were all honorable mention all-district selections.

Sikeston's softball season ended during the district semifinals when they lost to Jackson 10-3. Before their elimination, the Lady Bulldogs defeated Poplar Bluff 8-6 in eight innings behind a three-run, walk off home run by Shepherd.