Bartow's Oxley named Miss Softball to complete sweep of state awards
Katelynn "Red" Oxley has completed the sweep of state softball awards.
About a week after she was named Gatorade Softball Player of the Year for Florida, Oxley was named the Florida Dairy Farmers 2023 Miss Softball following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school softball coaches and media representatives.
It was the first time a Polk County softball player has won the award since its inception in 1993. Oxley is the second Polk athlete to win the Dairy Farmers state award as earlier this month, George Jenkins track athlete was named Miss Track.
"I think that's crazy, especially considering I was struggling (during the season)," Oxley said. "I didn't expect this, but I'm glad my work is being noticed, and I'm glad my team's work is also being noticed through me."
Oxley, who became a finalist for MIss Softball after being named the 6A player of the year last week, Bartow to the Class 6A state title with a 23-2 record. She posted an 0.50 ERA while striking out 307 batters in 154 innings and allowed only 44 hits and 11 earned runs all season. She finished with 10 shutouts and posted five no-hitters. At the plate, Oxley batted .447 with 33 RBIs.
Oxley, who has committed to Florida, won 15 of the 20 first-place votes and finished with 178 points to run away with award. University Christian's Sophia Kardatzke (2A) finished second with 67 points and Parrish's Isabella Vega (5A) with 63 points.
Hernando's Hannah Taylor (3A) finished fourth followed by Spanish River's Isabella Santos (7A), Lake Wales' Zamya McBurrows (4A) and Liberty County's Eliazbeth Arnold (1A).
In the coach of the year voting, Bartow's Glenn Rutenbar and Lake Wales' Mike Settle finished third and fifth respectively behind Parrish Community's Erin Spivey, who was the 5A coach of the year.
Spivey won the overall award with four of the 20 first-place votes and 114 points. Spanish River's Ashley Byrd (7A) finished second with ive first-place votes and 103 points, followed by Rutenbar, a three-time coach of the year winner, University Christian's Keith Stroud (2A), Settle (4A), Liberty County's Jennifer Sewell (1A) and Clearwatner Calvary Christian's Dion Weaver (3A).
All seven finalists led their teams to state titles.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Bartow's Oxley named Miss Softball to complete sweep of state awards
