Frankfort Honors Hickory Creek Middle School Girls’ Softball Team for Fifth State Title

Village of Frankfort Board – October 6, 2025

Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort honored the Hickory Creek Middle School Girls’ Softball Team with a formal proclamation for winning the 2025 Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Class 3A State Championship, marking the program’s fifth state title. The team, which finished with a 27-1 record, was celebrated for its exceptional skill, teamwork, and dedication.

Hickory Creek Softball Team Recognition Key Points:

• The team won the 2025 IESA Class 3A State Championship on September 20, finishing the season with a 27-1 record.

• This marks the program’s fifth IESA state championship, with previous titles in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2023.

• The Village Board approved a proclamation recognizing the team’s achievement, with players and coaches present to receive the honor.

The Village of Frankfort Board of Trustees on Monday, October 6, 2025, formally celebrated the Hickory Creek Middle School Girls’ Softball Team for capturing its fifth state title. Mayor Keith Ogle read a proclamation honoring the team for winning the 2025 Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Class 3A State Championship with an impressive 27-1 season record.

Players and coaches attended the meeting and were called to the podium to receive the proclamation and be recognized by the board and audience.

“The Village of Frankfort proudly recognizes the Hickory Creek Middle School girls softball team who captured the 2025 Illinois Elementary School Association Class 3A state championship on September 20th, finishing an outstanding season with a 27-1 record,” Mayor Ogle said.

The proclamation detailed the team’s path to victory, which included a 5-1 win over Channahon in the quarterfinals, a 6-2 victory against Chatham in the semifinals, and an 11-2 triumph over Washington Center in the finals.

Coach Mitch Stein addressed the board, thanking the community and praising the student-athletes. “I just want to say that this team and family and all the family here represented Frankfort very well. They’re wonderful young ladies,” Stein said. “They play the game the right way and it was an honor to coach them and they truly deserve this honor.”

Stein introduced the mix of seventh and eighth-grade players in attendance: Kaylee Sterling, Noelle Sievers, Brooke Franta, Nora Novak, Macklyn Simon, Ashley Brewer, Taylor Gardner, Mia Hartmann, Nicole Franta, Brianna Sweet, Sophia Zeiger, Gianna Labriola, and Aubrey Stevens. The full championship roster, as noted in the official proclamation, also included Evelyn Nelson and Lily Kalman.

Board members offered their individual congratulations, highlighting the team’s impressive record of success.

“It’s five championships in 10 years and I think seven state championship games. It’s unbelievable,” said Trustee Adam Borrelli. “They actually just had a windscreen put up on their softball dugout that has the state championships for every year and they already have to update it now because they’ve won this year.”

Trustee Maura Rigoni, noting her connection to youth sports organizations, commended the players on their growth and development. “I have had a great opportunity of seeing many of these young ladies start in our youth organization and see how they have grown into fantastic softball players,” she said.

Mayor Ogle concluded the recognition by congratulating the team on behalf of the village. “You continue to make us proud and we’ll be looking forward to a sixth championship,” he said.