Lincoln Southwest's Reagan Vokoun (center) lifts the A-2 district championship plaque as she celebrates with her teammates after the Silver Hawk's 10-1 victory over Omaha Westview on Thursday at Doris Bair Complex .
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest's Reagan Vokoun points toward teammate Maisey McCarty (not pictured) after making an out against Omaha Westview in the first inning of the A-2 district championship on Thursday at Doris Bair Softball Complex.
For the 18th time in school history, Lincoln Southwest is in the state tournament.
But it has been more than wins and runs on the scoreboard for the Class A No. 2 Silver Hawks, who earned a state berth by claiming the A-2 district championship on Thursday with a 10-1 win over Omaha Westview at Doris Bair Softball Complex.
It is the third trip to the state tournament under Silver Hawks head coach Mitch Ohnoutka, who took over the program after serving as an assistant to longtime coach Mark Watt.
“It's a testimony to continue what coach Watt started,†Ohnoutka said. “He dedicated his entire career to Lincoln Southwest softball and he is pretty much instrumental on how things are still going today.â€
Watt, who led the Silver Hawks to 15 state tournament appearances and four state championships, was in attendance Thursday.
“(Watt) brought me on in the last year of his career,†Ohnoutka said. “From that point on, I've gone to him for some advice and I've also been able to figure out how to do it. I'm very proud of this senior class. This is more or less the group I've been with for all four years, and they've done everything they possibly could possibly do to win.â€
The Silver Hawks were eliminated by the eventual state champion Papillion-La Vista in the 2023 state tournament.
Emma Dostal and Reagan Vokoun have been key leaders in getting the Silver Hawks back to the state tournament.
Vokoun sat out that 2023 appearance with an injury.
“Last year, I'll be honest, it was hard to watch my team win without me,†Vokoun said. “I knew I still had a role in the dugout and I had experience. This year really made me happy and be able to actually help my team win on the field this year. Guide them through my guidance and leadership on the field this time. I'm just so proud of everyone.â€
But for Dostal, who has helped the Silver Hawks to a 34-3 record, including the longest win streak in school history, has been to the state tournament with the Silver Hawks the last three times and wanted to make sure the job was done.
“At this point, it is an expectation,†Dostal said. “We live up to that — we try our hardest and have maximum effort. It just means a lot to keep it going. As a senior, you don't want to be that one group that breaks the streak. It means a lot that we keep it going and keep it going for the younger girls so they can keep it going.â€
Vokoun, who also pitched the Silver Hawks to a 12-2 victory over Millard South to reach the district final, tied the Silver Hawks single-season doubles record (18) against Omaha Wesview in the A-2 final.
But Lincoln Southwest also has something it has not had in a long time — a healthy roster and three pitching arms they can rely on against anyone.
“It's been pretty great,†Vokoun said. “It's been able to keep my arm and leg a lot fresher than we've been able to in the past. Both Raegan (Brandt) and Maisey (McCarty) do a phenomenal job, especially for their age. The amount of control they have in pressure situations is great and I got their back and they've got mine.â€
Lincoln Southwest will travel to the state tournament and begin play Wednesday in Hastings.
Photos: Lincoln Southwest softball plays for district championship — Oct. 10
Lincoln Southwest's Reagan Vokoun (center) lifts the A-2 district championship plaque as she celebrates with her teammates after the Silver Hawk's 10-1 victory over Omaha Westview on Thursday at Doris Bair Complex .
Lincoln Southwest's Reagan Vokoun points toward teammate Maisey McCarty (not pictured) after making an out against Omaha Westview in the first inning of the A-2 district championship on Thursday at Doris Bair Softball Complex.