Her father was a high school All-American. She is a collegiate All-American.

Academically, that is.

Katie Holtzapfel, daughter of former Ironton St. Joseph all-around star Mike Holtzapfel, is continuing a stellar career at the University of Alabama.

The junior soccer standout for the Lady Crimson Tide was named second team Academic All-American as she posted a 4.0 grade point average in nursing.

Holtzapfel's academic prowess is matched by her talents on the field. She followed up her team MVP season of last year by leading the team in minutes played for the second consecutive campaign.

She racked up 16 points including seven goals and two assists and now ranks eighth in school history in career goals. With her senior season still remaining, she ranks 10th on the Alabama career list for minutes played.

Her father, Mike, went on to letter for Notre Dame including the 1966 National Championship football season. He later coached high school football in Kentucky at Raceland and Ashland.

Katie is the granddaughter of Joe and Doris Holtzapfel of Ironton.

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Junior Varsity news

While fans are aware of the Ironton Fighting Tigers success this season on the varsity level, the junior varsity under coach Bart Burcham posted an 18-2 record, matching the school record for wins.

However, it was former Ironton head coach Phil Rice who had the best jayvee season. As an assistant coach to Buddy Bell, Rice guided Ironton to an 18-0 record in in the 1976-77 season.

A member of the unbeaten 18-win team was Jeff Linn, now owner of Bob Linn Sporting Goods. And a member of this season's 18-win team: Greg Linn, Jeff's son.

Another junior varsity team did something for the first time. Symmes Valley's junior varsity went unbeaten in the SOC. That gave the varsity and reserves league championships.

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Pennington guest speaker

New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington will be the guest speaker for the 25th annual Big Green Scholarship Foundation Banquet to be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at the Henderson Center.

Pennington, former quarterback for the Marshall Thundering Herd, returns to his alma mater to help raise scholarship money for the athletic program.

Pennington helped the Jets reach the NFL postseason playoffs. He was voted the team's Most Valuable Player and won the Kyle Clifton Good Guy Award by the coaching staff.

For more information on the banquet and its cost, contact Bruce McKinney at 304-696-6389.