Solon's Jenny Schuelke, Traci Helle of Garnavillo, BCLUW's Jamie Fisher and Jadyn Spencer of Waterloo West are the newest inductees to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Softball Hall of Fame. The 2016 class will be inducted Friday at the Iowa State Softball Tournament Schuelkestarred at Solon High School from 2002 to 2007. Playing shortstop and hitting leadoff, she was the table setter for the Solon’s high scoring teams that reached the state tournament all five seasons she played, bookending her career with state titles in her eighth grade and senior seasons. She was named to four all-tournament teams and was captain of the 2007 all-tournament team as a senior. Schuelke owned a career batting average over .400, she was named to five all-state teams and was twice named to Elite All-State squads. As a senior, she was the Class 2A Player of the Year when she batted .452 with 10 home runs, 65 RBI’s and 60 runs scores.
Schuelke played college softball at the University of Iowa and played a significant role for the Hawkeyes. A fulltime starter for her junior and senior seasons, she enjoyed her best year in 2010, hitting .274 with six home runs and 24 RBI’s. She was an academic all-Big Ten performer her senior season.
Helle teamed with fellow all-stater Tracy Hammann from 1984 to 1988 and the duo combined to win 227 wins with just 54 losses in a five year span. They were just the second tandem in state softball history to have 100 or more pitching victories while graduating in the same class, leading Garnavillo to three state tournament appearances. Helle finished her career with a 127-41 record with a career ERA of 0.63. She struck out 1166 batters in her career while tossing 10 no-hitters and four perfect games. She was a three-time all-state selection and became the first 1A player to be named Iowa’s overall Player of the Year in 1998.
Helle played her college ball at Mount Mercy and is the school’s career leader in wins and ranks in the top five in career strikeouts and earned run average.
Fisher pitched for BCLUW from 2006 to 2010 and is just one of 36 pitchers in Iowa history with 150 or more pitching victories, recording a 150-15 career record with three seasons winning 35 or more games. She pitched every inning of regional and state softball game that BCLUW played in during her five year career. She led the Comets to back-to-back state championship in 2009 and 2010, pitching 42 innings at the state tournament and allowing just one run while striking out 75 batters in six state tournament games. When her career was finished, she had 1,796 career strikeouts, was a three time all-state selection and named Iowa’s Gatorade Softball Player of the Year in 2010.Fisher signed with Northern Iowa and became the Panthers’ career leader in strikeouts after her sophomore year and compiled a record of 79-44 with 767 career strikeouts. She was a two-time first team Missouri Valley All-Conference selection and helped the Panthers reach the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
Spencer starred at Waterloo West from 2007 to 2011, where she was a five year starter and five-time all-state selection for Waterloo West. She hit 10 or more home runs her last three years of softball. As a sophomore, she hit .561 leading Waterloo West to its first-ever trip to the State Softball Tournament. As a junior, she posted a .613 batting average with 16 home runs and 59 RBI’s. Her final season was her finest, earning Class 4A Co-Player of the Year honors while batting .625 with 17 home runs, a Class 4A best 44 stolen bases with 73 walks and 37 RBI’s. Her 54 career home runs was the Iowa State Record until it was eclipsed last year.
Spencer starred at Waterloo West from 2007 to 2011, where she was a five year starter and five-time all-state selection for Waterloo West. She hit 10 or more home runs her last three years of softball. As a sophomore, she hit .561 leading Waterloo West to its first-ever trip to the State Softball Tournament. As a junior, she posted a .613 batting average with 16 home runs and 59 RBI’s. Her final season was her finest, earning Class 4A Co-Player of the Year honors while batting .625 with 17 home runs, a Class 4A best 44 stolen bases with 73 walks and 37 RBI’s. Her 54 career home runs was the Iowa State Record until it was eclipsed last year.
Spencer signed with perennial softball power Alabama and played a key role in the Crimson Tide’s national championship team. She played in two more College Softball World Series. She enjoyed her best season in 2014 when she hit .339 with team highs in home runs and RBIs.
