The Cyclone softball team worked hard this season, capped by an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference co-championship and several individual honors.

The Cyclones were 10 games into their 2020 spring season before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They weren't able to practice together in the fall and had to be cautious throughout a condensed spring schedule. Despite all that, they brought home a conference championship after 13 years.

The team finished with a 14-18 overall record and 10-2 Skyway record to tie with McHenry County College. The two battled for first place all season, coming down to the final games. The Cyclones won their last matchup with Elgin Community College. In her first season as head coach, Ari Bulthuis was named co-Skyway Coach of the Year along with McHenry's Wally Warner.

"It was a shock to get the award. I thought Wally deserved it, but I wouldn't want to share it with anyone else," Bulthuis said. "It was amazing to win the conference championship. All the credit goes to the athletes. They put in many hours. They could've given up, but they put in the work and came out on top."

Between the altered schedule and extra precautions necessary this season, the Cyclones played good ball, which was really a collective effort, Bulthuis explained.

Sophomore Brianna Dvorak (Sandburg) and freshmen Emily Gorski (Tinley Park) and Danielle Travis (Lockport Township) earned All-Conference first team. Sophomores Abbie Wantroba (Sandburg) and Fran Beggs (Argo) were named to the All-Conference second team, while freshmen Kara Riordan (Lockport Township) and Lexi Udaykee (Stagg) received All-Conference honorable mentions. Gorski and Travis also earned nods to the All-Region second team. 

Riordan was the leadoff batter with a solid .404 average and 13 RBIs for the season. Travis was second in the lineup with a .467 average, 34 RBIs and five homeruns to go along with her skills tracking every ball in centerfield. Gorski led the onslaught at the plate with a .468 average, 32 RBIs and two homeruns, while also pitching many games, ending with a 3.45 ERA in conference. Wantroba was the heart and soul of the team, according to Bulthuis. When the team couldn't practice, she and Dvorak brought the team together and lifted everyone up.

"I'm so proud of the entire team. They deserve it all. Having them hear what I'd been saying and then performing, I couldn't ask for a better group in my first year," Bulthuis said.