TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Ichabod softball head coach Brenda Holaday has announced four future student athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the program for the 2021-22 season.
 
"We are really excited about this signing class," Holaday said. "This group brings a ton of championship experience to our program and an ability to impact our lineup immediately. Additionally, they are all strong students and they fit our culture of being selfless, team driven, and focused on getting better and being part of a winning program."
 
Ellington Hogle – Outfield/Utility – 5-6 – Bats: Left, Throws: Right – Silver Lake, Kan. (Silver Lake High School)
As a junior, her softball season was wiped out due to COVID, but she became the first girl at Silver Lake to qualify for the state wrestling tournament where she was part of the third place team in state … as a sophomore she was an all-league and a second team all-state selection at shortstop after batting .483 helping the Eagles to a second place finish at the state tournament in softball and a state title in volleyball … as a freshman she was a first team all-league and all-state pick in the outfield after recording a .603 batting average for the state championship squad … daughter of Jason and Lori Hogle … a brother, Braden and a sister, Bethanie … her mother played tennis at Hutchinson Community College … anticipated major is nursing.
 
Hogle on Washburn - "I chose Washburn because it has always made me feel like home. I love the team, the coaches and the program and knew it was the perfect fit for me."
 
Holaday on Hogle - "Ellie is a multi-sport athlete at Silver Lake and will bring a great deal of athleticism to our program. She has the ability to play all over the field and exudes a passion and energy for the game that will be infectious. She has experienced championship level programs at Silver Lake and we look forward to having her in our program."
 
 
Jaden LaBarge – Pitcher/3^rd base – 5-7 – Bats: Right, Throws: Right – Springfield, Mo. (Kickapoo High School)
As a senior she was the league's Player of the Year and first team all-league selection, all-district, all-region and a second team all-state selection while batting .512 with 47 RBI, 13 home runs, nine doubles and two triples posting a .570 on base percentage and a 1.116 slugging percentage helping team to conference, district and a third place finish in state with a 24-4-1 record … she set the Missouri single-game home run record against Rolla with four and set her school's home run record as well … as a junior she was a first team all-district and all-conference and a second team all-region pick after batting .470 with 40 RBI, 10 home runs and 11 doubles … as a sophomore she hit .370 with 22 RBI and five doubles earning first team all-district and honorable mention all-league … her freshman season she batted .367 with five home runs and 23 RBI … her club team finished second at the 2018 and 2019 FASA World Series and took first place in Owasso, Okla., in 2020 … daughter of Joe and Amanda LaBarge … a brother, Jace … her father played baseball at Johnson County Community College … anticipated major is business.
 
Labarge on Washburn - "I chose Washburn because I loved the coaches, the campus was beautiful, facilities were top notch and I have family close by."
 
Holaday on LaBarge – " Jaden is just scratching the surface of how good she can be. She is coming off a monster season at Kickapoo where set records in home runs and helped lead her team to a top four finish at State. She brings a big bat to our lineup along with filling a role on our pitching staff. She has extremely quick hands, great core strength and is very athletic."
 
Kayla Locke – Catcher – 5-8 – Bats: Right, Throws: Right – Parker, Colo. (Legend High School)
A first team all-league selection as a senior after batting .389 with 25 RBI and two home runs … her junior year she recorded a .318 batting average with three home runs and 23 RBI … earned first team all-state academic honors … as a sophomore she was a second team all-league selection after recording a .418 batting average with 26 RBI and three home runs helping team to a state, regional and league title … started every game as a freshman as squad won state championship … her club team won the 2017 Colorado IDT Tournament title in the 14U bracket and finished seventh at the PGF Premier in the 2018 14U division … team qualified for the 2018 and 2019 PGF Premier tournaments … daughter of Shawn and Shelly Locke … her mother played softball at Colorado-Colorado Springs … anticipated major is criminal justice.
 
Locke on Washburn - "I chose Washburn because of how I immediately fell in love with the campus and the coaching staff. Everyone has been really welcoming and like extended family since I met them. As soon as I stepped on campus I knew it was going to be my new home. I can't wait to be part of Washburn Softball."
 
Holaday on Locke – "Kayla is a natural leader on the field and brings confidence, energy and passion to the catching position. She was part of two state championship teams at Legend High School and is part of the great Colorado Angels organization. She brings a powerful bat to the offensive side and will fit great into our team culture."
 
Kaylee Wagner – Catcher/1^st Base – 5-7 – Bats: Right, Throws: Right – Papillion, Neb. (Papillion La Vista High School)
Finished prep career with a 142-4 record with three state championships … a second team Nebraska all-super state selection as a senior after batting .443 with five home runs and 33 RBI adding second team all-class all-state honors helping team to a 36-0 record winning state, metro and district titles finishing prep career on a 72-game winning streak while being ranked No. 1 in the nation … as a junior she was a first team all-state pick by the Lincoln Journal Star and a second team all-state selection by the Omaha World Herald and was an all-metro, NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and an academic all-state selection after hitting eight home runs with 44 RBI as the Monarchs won the state title with a 36-0 record … as a sophomore she was an all-state, all-metro and all-league honorable mention selection as well as an NFCA All-American Scholar after batting .346 as team finished second in the state tournament … as a freshman she was an all-state honorable mention selection and all-metro after recording a .329 batting average as team won state, metro and district championship … club team finished fourth at the 18U ASA national tournament and was the Team 1 Elite Club national champion and the PDF State Champions … daughter of Paul and Beth Wagner … a sister, Lacie … anticipated major is pre-medicine.
 
Wagner on Washburn – "I chose Washburn because after touring the campus and meeting the coaches, it felt like a comfortable fit for me both academically and as part of the softball program. I am grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to be an Ichabod."
 
Holaday on Wagner – "Kaylee is a young lady with a quiet personality but a huge presence on the field. She brings a big bat to our lineup and defensively fills an important role at the catcher position. She comes from a program at Papillion LaVista that finished ranked 1^st in the nation, and just won back to back undefeated State Championships while accumulating a state record, 72-straight victories. Her championship pedigree is impactful to the program we are building here."