Peppers selected first-team All-State by IGCA

 DES MOINES -- Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton junior Sophia Peppers was named first-team All-State and eight other area softball players garnered second team, third team or honorable mention recogniton on the 2017 Iowa Girls Coaches’ Association All-State Softball list released July 31.
 Peppers, a three-time all-state selection, was one of four Spartans honored by the IGCA in Class 1-A following a 16-11 season that ended in the regional semifinals. Senior Maggie Rasmussen was named to the 1-A second team while junior Kealey Nelson and senior Rachel Walker received honorable mention.
 IKM-Manning (22-7) also had four all-state players in Class 2-A - all juniors - in second-teamer Peyton Gross (a four-time selection), third-teamer Payton Sporrer and honorable mention picks Paige Gaskill and Taylor Croghan.
 AHSTW sophomore Katie Anzalone made the Class 2-A honorable mention list as well after helping the Lady Vikes finish 14-11.