Katie Esselman, who helped lead Sacred Heart Academy to the state championship last week, has been named Kentucky’s Miss Field Hockey by the state coaches association.
Esselman, who has committed to Northwestern, helped Sacred Heart finish the season with a 22-6-1 record. The Valkyries beat Manual 3-1 on Oct. 29 in the state final, with Esselman posting a goal and an assist.
Essleman was one of three Valkyries named to the All-State first team, joining Caroline Brotzge and Savannah Elpers. Assumption’s Jenna McKune was named the Bunny Daugherty Defensive Player of the Year.
Here is the entire All-State team:
FIRST TEAM
* Region One – Allie Grace Joyner, Jacquelyn Wilkins, Laurel Dortch (Christian Academy); Olivia Carter, Audrey Sterpka (Ballard); Kelsey Gill (Kentucky Country Day); Molly Duke (North Oldham); Avery Periard (South Oldham).
* Region Two – Katie Esselman, Caroline Brotzge, Savannah Elpers (Sacred Heart); Amy Edgerton, Ali Terrell (Mercy); Francesca Stovall (Eastern); Kendall Sibert (Seneca).
* Region Three – Camryn Pichea, Elizabeth Allgeier, Emma Spinetto (Assumption); Charlotte Happel, Alex Oldham (Collegiate); Jenny Marks (Male); Harriet Sudduth (Atherton).
* Region Four – Clare Doyle, Katherine Schaaf, Sarah Schwartz (Manual); Zoe Jessie, Ally Just (Holy Cross); Lexi Jarboe (Butler); Audrey Denham (Presentation); Page Dabney (St. Francis).
SECOND TEAM
* Region One – Taylor Curran, Jamie Wright, Sam Minrath (Christian Academy); Abigail Goldberg, Katy Law (Ballard); Leah Reidenauer (Kentucky Country Day); Sam Mizell (North Oldham); Skye Thompson (South Oldham).
* Region Two – Kate Brewer, Erika Bell, Zoey Miller (Sacred Heart); Diana Roberts, Olivia Hennis (Mercy); Katie Mallory (Eastern); Eva Diaz (Seneca).
* Region Three – Erica Cooper, Ashley Wilbur, Jenna McKune (Assumption); Alisha Gordon, Rachel Kelsey (Collegiate); Megan Coomes (Male); Edie Webb (Atherton).
* Region Four – Sarah Biggs, Joan Matthews, Jordan Thompson (Manual); Taylea Vogt, Allison Haycraft (Holy Cross); Rachel Austin (Butler); Ellie Carrico (Presentation); Megan Read (St. Francis).