All-Region girls athlete of the year: Jessica Flanagan, Woodland

So she went out for cross country. For the first time, she was not one of the stars, but she was there competing.

“I loved the feeling after a really hard workout. ‘Yeah, I just did that!'” she said.

Flanagan is more known for her winter and spring sports. As a senior, she was a co-MVP of the 2A Greater St. Helens League in basketball and she was the defensive player of the year in softball.

With all of that, Jessica Flanagan is The Columbian’s female multi-sport athlete of the year.

Flanagan has signed with Seattle University to continue her softball career, but she also could have played college basketball.

She was first-team, all-league all four years on the basketball court, co-MVP of the Trico League as a sophomore and co-MVP of the 2A GSHL her senior season.

“I really like to play basketball. I don’t think I’ll miss it, but it’s something I’ve always done so it will be weird without it,” Flanagan said.

Softball is her passion. Leading a young team this season, she was named the defensive player of the year while also delivering at the plate. The Beavers had made it to the state tournament in her three previous seasons.

“I just thoroughly enjoy playing the sport, everything about it,” Flanagan said. “In hitting, it’s you versus the pitcher. I don’t like it when people beat me in anything.”

Flanagan said playing high school sports nine months a year — plus summer ball — made her a better all-around athlete. It was encouraged at Woodland, too.

“All of our coaches are trying to get you to do something,” she said.

She also has advice to young softball players who are thinking of specializing.

“You definitely should be doing more than just softball,” Flanagan said. “You need to work on fast-twitch, or your cardio. You need to elevate your game. You’re not going to if you’re just playing softball.”

All-Season All-Region Best of the Rest

Teaghan Cowles, Columbia River

Senior was All-Region in softball; 3A GSHL player of the year; also second-team all-league in basketball; headed to Stanford.

Savanna Craig, Mountain View

Junior was All-Region in track and field; third at state in 1,600; All-Region in cross country, placed third in district meet.

Mackenzie Ellertson, King’s Way Christian

Freshman was All-Region soccer and Trico League MVP; also a first-team all-league player in basketball for Knights.

Sarah Ellis, Columbia River

Sophomore was All-Region gymnast of year, placing seventh in state all-around. In track, 7th in state in pole vault.

McKenna Flanagan, Woodland

Sophomore All-Region in track and field, 2A state javelin champ; advanced to state in cross country; played basketball.

Caleigh Lofstead, Camas

Senior was All-Region in track and field; state pole vault champion; All-Region in gymnastics; league gymnast of year.

Madison Lord, Skyview

Senior was All-Region in track and field; fourth at state in high jump; also second-team all-league in basketball.

Christina Murray, Washougal

Senior was All-Region in wrestling, placing fourth at state; in track and field, placed 13th at state in pole vault.

Kylie Smith, Battle Ground

Senior was All-Region basketball, averaging 12.7 points a game; first-team all-league outfielder in softball.

Kaylin Sperley, Prairie

Sophomore was All-Region in track and field, placed third in state in 100; first-team all-league forward in soccer.

Kari Staples, King’s Way Christian

Senior was All-Region in volleyball, leading Knights to state; district champion in 100 meters in track and field.

Ellie Walker,  Columbia River

Junior was All-Region in soccer; 3A GSHL player of the year; state qualifier in the 100 hurdles in track and field.