Iowa Lakes Softball player, Blaney Markman, signed her letter of intent to continue her athletic career at NAIA Waldorf University. Blaney will also be continuing her education in Elementary Education.

"I am very happy that Blaney decided to continue her softball career at Waldorf. I think Coach Determan and the softball program will be a great fit for her." Said Coach Larson. "Being able to coach Blaney the past two years has been an honor. Blaney is an extremely hardworking and driven young lady. Her willingness to be coached and get better will propel her at the next level. Blaney will be greatly missed next year, but I am very excited to see what the future has in store for her!"

Blaney graduated from Jackson County Central High School, where she was the starting shortstop for the Huskies for three consecutive years. During her time there, Blaney was awarded Team Co-Defensive player of the year, Team MVP, Coach's Award, Outstanding Offensive Player, All-Section team recipient, All-State team selection, and two-time All-Conference honoree. In her freshman year at Iowa Lakes, Blaney played in every game but two. She batted .242 with 31 hits, including 3 homeruns, 1 triple, and 7 doubles. Blaney had a .326 on base percentage and a .383 slugging percentage. She was named to an Academic All-Region team both fall and spring semester.

Markman had this to say about her time at Iowa Lakes, "My time at Iowa Lakes was one of the best two years of my life. I have grown as a person and a softball player and I couldn't have done it without my teammates, coaches and everyone else here on campus. Thanks to Iowa Lakes I have made friendships and memories that I will never forget."

Blaney will be joining an improving Waldorf Warrior team. Coach Determan is in her second year as the Head Coach and improved the team to an 18-29 record. Blaney chose Waldorf University because it is a place that she can call home. The small town and campus is something that she was really looking for in a school. She felt connected with the coaches immediately and really likes what they are doing there with the softball program.

Coach Determan had this to say about Blaney, "We expect Blaney to be a great leader.  She will be a great person coming from a strong JUCO, where Coach Larson is doing a lot of great things.  Blaney is the type of girl who shows up and works hard every day, which is definitely something for a coach to be excited about.  Her honors both on the field and academically speak for themselves, and we look for her to continue that hard work at Waldorf."