Jordie McNeilly, a senior catcher for the Dickinson High girls softball team, was named the 2018 West Region Senior Athlete of the Year. In the West Region Tournament from Thursday, May 24 to Saturday, May 26 held at Fort Lincoln Softball Diamond, McNeilly was 5-for-12 (.417) with two home runs, two doubles and eight runs batted in. The Midgets went 2-1, qualifying for the Class A State Tournament for the sixth consecutive season.
DP: What did it mean to you to be named your region's Senior Athlete of the Year?
JM: "It meant a lot, that was a very big accomplishment for me. I felt like my team helped me out a lot there so I can't say that it was an individual award. They definitely helped me out with getting that."
DP: How long have you been playing softball and what do you most enjoy about it?
JM: "I've been playing softball for about eleven years and I enjoy the team atmosphere, cheering each other on and when someone else gets a good hit, you're just so excited for them."
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DP: You have earned a number of individual accolades and your team has had a lot of success over the years. Heading into your senior season, did you feel any pressure?
JM: "No, I think that all of us just know that we had to come out hard, play hard and do the best that we could, try to the be the best team we could be and that's what happened."
DP: What is your favorite movie?
JM: "The Last Song."
DP: What was the last song that you binged-watched on Netflix?
JM: "Riverdale."
DP: If you can eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
JM: "Knoephla soup."
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DP: What are you most looking forward to about attending Minnesota State-Moorhead?
JM: "Just making new friends, meeting the softball team and having fun with them."
DP: What is on your music playlist?
JM: "Post Malone."
DP: Who or what has been your biggest inspiration to succeed?
JM: "My dad and my brother. In softball, in life, my whole family, they're all great and they all inspire me to be better everyday.
