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NAMPA CHRISTIAN SOFTBALL

1st Round

Defeated Pocatello Girls Soccer (67% to 33%)

Head Coach

Justin Shook, 3rd Season

Key Athletes

Addison Gray, 11, C

Kate Nelson, 12, 1B

Peyton Shook, 11, P

Ashlynn Swank, 10, SS

Myranda Van Vliet, 9, CF

The Trojans claimed their first softball championship in school history while navigating numerous challenges along the way.  Low tryout numbers led head coach Justin Shook to petition to the IHSAA to allow his daughter, eighth-grader Chloe Shook, to participate on the varsity team.  In fact, Nampa Christian only had one senior on this year’s team, which featured twelve players.

Coach Shook’s other daughter, junior Peyton Shook, was Nampa Christian’s top pitcher during a 20-4 season.  The Western Idaho Conference Player of the Year compiled a 1.65 ERA with 236 strikeouts and only 25 walks.  She pitched every inning of the state tournament, which culminated in a 5-3 win over Malad.

Shook also hit .506 with nine home runs, and was part of a long lineup that presented tough outs at every spot in the order.  Her catcher, junior Addison Gray, hit .607 with nine home runs, 15 doubles and 42 RBIs.  She caught every pitch at state and blasted three home runs at the state tourney, including a two-run homer in the championship game.

MALAD BOYS WRESTLING

1st Round

Defeated Grace Lutheran Volleyball (69% to 31%)

Head Coach

Devin Morrison, 15th Season

Key Athletes

Gabe Hooste, 12, 175 LBS.

Oakley Maddox, 10, 157 LBS.

Orrin Miller, 12, 285 LBS.

Drake Morrison, 10, 150 LBS.

Jack Willie, 11, 106 LBS.

Malad won their second consecutive state championship (and fourth overall) in a narrow battle with Ririe.  The Dragons compiled 211.5 points, while the Bulldogs finished with 194.  At the 3A State Tournament, Malad boasted three state champions and eleven placers overall.  Both numbers were the best among 3A teams.

Junior Jack Willie (106 lbs.), sophomore Drake Morrison (150 lbs.) and North Fremont transfer and senior Orrin Miller (285 lbs.) all claimed their first individual championships.  Willie and Miller each finally finished on top after placing three times in four years overall.  Each finished second at last year’s state tournament.

Porter Mills also became a three-time placer at 132 pounds, finishing sixth overall in that weight class.   Gabe Hooste was Malad’s highest-placing non-champion, as he finished third overall at 175 pounds.  As a bonus, Malad also won the academic championship for 3A wrestling in 2025.