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  The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) released its baseball and softball All-Section teams on Saturday, May 14, and the Copper Area was well represented. Six teams from the Copper Corridor reached the 2016 State Playoffs and the players from those teams earned the well-deserved postseason recognition.

  The following is a list, by team and sport, of the area players who were named 2016 AIA All-Section:

RAY SOFTBALL

AIA Division V Section V Co-Coach of the Year – Rikki Galka.

AIA Division V Section V Player of the Year – Stormee Galka.

AIA Division V Section V First Team – Stormee Galka, Tara Lorona and Savannah Willis.

AIA Division V Section V Second Team – Daniella Hinojos, Ashley Ortiz and Janae Ruiz.

AIA Division V Section V Honorable Mention – Ema Alverado, Nepeese Avechuco, Haily Mabruce, Dani Montano, and Gabby Montano.

RAY BASEBALL

AIA Division V Section V First Team – Noah Warren, Brett Fackiner, John Wernett and Jordan Pace.

AIA Division V Section V Second Team – Austin Huffman and Jaden Pace.

SUPERIOR SOFTBALL

AIA Division V Section V Co-Coach of the Year – Martin Navarrette.

AIA Division V Section V First Team – Ivie Lopez, Alicia Arriola, Phalicitee Thomas, Gabby Salcido, and Ariana San Miguel.

AIA Division V Section V Second Team – Tori Juarez.

AIA Division V Section V Honorable Mention – Lindsay Ketron and Keanna Torres.

SUPERIOR BASEBALL

AIA Division V Section V First Team – Nicolaus Cruz and Elias Olmos.

AIA Division V Section V Second Team – Steven Denogean and Austin Navarrette.

HAYDEN SOFTBALL

AIA Division V Section V First Team – Lex Gomez and Brandi Lopez.

AIA Division V Section V Second Team – Jesse Lopez, Angelica Cabrera and Makayla Ramos.

SAN MANUEL SOFTBALL

AIA Division IV Section III First Team – Lyana Waddell, Angela Navarro and Dionne Ruiz.

AIA Division IV Section III Second Team – Nikki Baldenegro

AIA Division IV Section III Honorable Mention – Nicole Encinas.

Andy Luberda (1149 Posts)

Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.

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