HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: SEVEN LOCALS EARN ALL-STATE HONORS, 3 FIRST TEAM; CORNING COACH JOHNSTON JR. CO-STATE COACH OF THE YEAR (June 20, 2024)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
The all-state softball lists are out, and three local athletes earned all-state honors, while seven overall athletes earned all-state honors.

On top of all the athletes earning all-state honors, Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. was named the Class AAA co-coach of the year after helping to guide the Hawks to a state title this year.

“It’s truly an honor,” Johnston Jr. said. “And, all that people have done to make themselves better. Really proud of the kids because they were great leaders and excelled on the biggest stage.”

Corning’s Matti Johnston and Peyton Sullivan were first-team picks in Class AAA.

“It feels amazing to be able to be a part of an all-state team, not to mention first team,” Johnston said. “It’s very special to me. I have put in all this work and it gotten me here with the support of my teammates, coaches and family.

“It’s great to see my teammates be a part of it. They work so hard for this opportunity and deserve it. I think it will push the younger kids to follow in their footsteps and work harder every day, and push themselves to what they didn’t think they could achieve.”

Corning’s Sophia Polzella and Elmira’s Addison Taft were third-team picks in AAA.

“It feels very special to be a part of all-state for a second year in a row,” Polzella said. “This year for me was to have fun and enjoy my last year and earning all-state again topped the season off. It is very cool to have three people on all-state, showing how strong Corning is.

“I think not only all-state will make kids want to work harder, but going back to the State Championship will make them work hard as well.”

For Taft, a junior, it’s special to earn the honor.

“Earning All-State honors is very special to me and I appreciate the recognition,” Taft said. “It’s very special because it reflects how hard players work to succeed and I think that is important. It’s so nice to end the season with All-State honors, but I couldn’t do it without the support and dedication of my team. Receiving this honor is great, but it makes me determined to accomplish much more next season and hopefully reach greater heights.”

In Class AA Horseheads’ Megan Wolf was a third-team selection, making all-state for the first time.

“This definitely is motivation to do better for my senior year, but the preparation starts in the off-season,” Wolf said. “So, even more motivation to start working harder now. It feels great to make all-state and a great accomplishment for all the other girls that were recognized. I am very happy with this honor and super thankful for all the coaches that have gotten me this far.”

Edison had two selections in Class B with Gabby Milazzo earning first-team honors, while Kailey Ripley was a fifth-team selection.

For Milazzo this is a second straight first-team all-state selection. This one comes in Class B, after making it in Class C a year ago.

“It is so special to get first team all-state honors, and even more special to do it again this year with moving up in a class,” Milazzo said. “It’s so nice to see Kailey get honored, she really stepped up and deserves it. I hope this inspires the younger kids on the team to work hard in every practice and game, and look to improve every day.”

For Ripley, a junior, it's special to earn Class B honors..

“Making all-state is an honor for me knowing my hard work paid off,” Ripley said. “It’s amazing to see Gabby honored as first team ,because she is a wonderful person and player who deserves it so much. I hope it inspires younger kids on the team to also strive for this. This motivates me a lot to achieve this next year and to try and improve my skills even more.”
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STSR FILE PHOTO.