By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Big 16 Conference West Division champions Dowagiac dominated the baseball and softball All-Division teams, which were released this week.
For the Dowagiac baseball team, 2006 was the first and only West Division championship. The Chieftains are moving to the Wolverine Conference beginning in the fall.
Dowagiac won back-to-back division championships and three West Division titles overall.
Named to the first team for the Chieftains were Jake Cox, Jason Fryman, Jamie Simpson, David Stuppy and Brandon Simmons. Also named to the first team were Jared Knuth, Jarret Bross, John Witt and Elliot Heiney of St. Joseph; Drew Donohue, Rick Storm and Jacob Furguson of Niles; and Tim Frakes, Tim McNair and Justin Gershoffer of Lakeshore.
Honorable mention selections were Jordan Huey, Mike Kasper, Matt Dodson, Kyle Prak and Nick File of Dowagiac; Jake Olson and Deke Knuth of St. Joseph; Tim Hardy and Lyle Watson of Niles; and Cory Bartz, Brad Anderson, Frank Witucki and Doug Doroh of Lakeshore.
Chieftain softball players named to the first team were Kim Luthringer, Maureen Pickar, Holly Lowe, Ashley Willis and Katie Roach. Also named to the first team were Monica Gathright, Amanda Harrington, Molly Lange, Lauren Castonguay and Katie Pappa of Lakeshore; Jenna Ignowski and Stephanee Schrader of Niles; and Michelle Bendewald and Jordan Goslee of St. Joseph.
Honorable mention selections were Beth Tomczak, Lindsay Tyler and Amy Wood of Dowagiac; Nicole Ignowski, Julie Kater and Karly Kennedy of Niles; and Rebekah Valenti and Becky Ziebart of St. Joseph.