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DOWAGIAC — For the 16th consecutive season, the Dowagiac varsity softball team has received Division 2 Academic All-State from the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association.

The Chieftains, who did not get to take the field this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had a team GPA of 3.5. In order to earn all-state honors, a team must have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Dowagiac senior Shelby Whitaker earned individual Division 2 Academic All-State with her GPA of 3.69. To earn individual honors, an athlete must have a GPA of at least 3.6.

To those leading the team, the honor did not come as a surprise.

“We have been academic all-state every year I have been the head coach here at Dowagiac, so at least 16 years in a row,” said Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke. “I’m sure we were most of the years when Randy [Brooks] coached as well.”