Everyone knows that the Gookin sisters are great softball players. But apparently, they are also as tough as rusty nails.
Freshman Hayden Gookin was a first-team all-state pick in Class 3A for the Iowa Girls Coaches Association. Senior Addison Gookin was a second-team pick.
Both played hurt, Mount Vernon coach Robin Brand revealed.
“Hayden was throwing the last couple weeks with a broken foot,” Brand said. “Addison played with a broken thumb most of the season.”
Hayden Gookin, the WaMaC East Player of the Year, hit .446 with 14 doubles, three triples, a school-record 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. She also had a 21-6 pitching mark with a 0.74 ERA and 247 strikeouts in 171.1 innings pitched.
“She set high goals and standards for herself, and worked all season to obtain those,” Brand said. “I’m excited for everything she did. She needs to heal. I know she’ll go on to do great things.”
She was one of two freshmen (Aubree Greenwood of West Marshall) to earn first-team laurels in 3A.
Brand said the break was in her drive foot. Every time she pushed off the pitching rubber, it probably didn’t feel very good.
“She had a team-first mentality,” Brand said. “She’d have felt better if we made it to state.”
Senior Addison Gookin (.310, 34 runs, 8 2B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 11 SB) was named second team all-state.
“She leads this team in so many intangibles,” Brand said. “I’m so proud of what she’s done for us. The goal for any player is to leave the program better than they found it. And our seniors have done that. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Senior Kenna Rollinger (.316, 10 2B, 34 RBI) was a third-team pick.
“Kenna was the best catcher we’ve ever had behind the plate, leading, her mental game, staying positive, her high softball IQ,” Brand said. “I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Both seniors were part of the 3A runner-up team in 2021 and the 3A championship team in 2022. Both played last weekend in the Senior All-Star Series in Waukee.
“I was glad to see them finish on a high note,” Brand said. “They both played really well and made Mount Vernon look good.”
Addison Gookin plans to play softball at Winona State.