Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team saw seven of their athletes walk across the stage to receive their diploma this past Friday and also provided the ceremony with the commencement speaker. Sophomore pitcher, Courtney Calkins, was selected by the school to speak at the ceremony.
Calkins has had a very successful career as an Iowa Lakes Softball player. The past two years, she was selected 2nd Team All-Region and 1st Team Academic All-Region. Her freshman year she also earned the Pinnacle Academic Achievement Award from the NJCAA. On the field Courtney compiled a 26-11 pitching record with a 3.84 ERA. She finished with a .369 batting average with 109 hits, which included 29 doubles, 2 triples, and 7 homeruns. Calkins has put herself in the Iowa Lakes Softball record book top 5 for career innings pitched (291), games pitched (54), and strikeouts (153).
Courtney has also been very influential in the Iowa Lakes and Estherville communities. At Iowa Lakes, she was named to the All-Iowa Academic Team, was a Presidential Scholar, and President of Student Senate. Through her position as Student Senate President, Courtney had the opportunity to organize numerous Community Service Projects. Some of these included, laying mulch for the City of Estherville, a canned food drive for Upper Des Moines, and building a fence at the Animal Shelter. Through the softball team, she volunteered time at Demoney Elementary and provided toys to Upper Des Moines during the Christmas season.
"Courtney was the ideal choice to speak to her peers Friday night because she is an example of the many different ways success can be achieved here at Iowa Lakes Community College. I have been honored to witness her leadership skills as her coach and student senate advisor and have enjoyed hearing from faculty and staff about her positive presence on campus. I am confident that Courtney will be an ambassador of Iowa Lakes as she continues her education at Tennessee Wesleyan and throughout her life. We have been fortunate to have her as part of our history as a softball program and as part of our institution. She will be greatly missed at Iowa Lakes next year." Commented Head Softball Coach Larson.