THE 2023-24 SENECA FOUNDRY DAILY FREEMAN-JOURNAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, DELAINEY BARGFREDE, is pictured here with DFJ advertising manager Trevor Christensen and Lori Mason, President of Seneca Foundry. (DFJ photo by Jane Curtis)

For four consecutive years, Delainey Bargfrede was the dependable force anchoring the Webster City softball program.

Bargfrede entered her senior summer having already graduated from both high school and Iowa Central Community College, fully committed to Western Kentucky University and a future as a Div. I athlete.

That didn’t stop the Lynx senior standout from staying in the moment and delivering one more banner campaign for her school in the pitching circle — a season that solidified Bargfrede as the 2023-24 Seneca Foundry Daily Freeman-Journal Female Athlete of the Year.

“I’m incredibly thankful and proud to receive this award,” Bargfrede said. “There are a lot of talented female athletes in the area, and I’m honored to have been chosen.”

Bargfrede was again a stalwart for Webster City this summer, posting a 15-6 pitching record with an ERA of 1.18. She struck out 218 batters in 138.1 innings pitched, and opponents batted only .186 against her.

“This is just an incredible honor for Delainey,” WCHS head softball coach Brad VanDeer said. “I know Webster City has had some extremely talented winners of this award in the past, and now, Delainey gets to have her name right there with the greats.

“I think it’s obvious to everyone who watches Lynx softball what a tremendous competitor she is. I’m very proud of what she’s accomplished as an athlete here, but more than that, I’m extremely grateful for the kind of role model she has been to our future Lynx players.”

Bargfrede’s success hasn’t been limited to softball — or sports in general. She was a Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at Webster City High School, where she graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.

Bargfrede earned her high school diploma while also taking classes through Iowa Central and securing her Associate of Science degree.

“Growing up, it was instilled in me that as hard as I worked at athletics…I also had to work at academics,” said Bargfrede, the daughter of Cory and Meredith Bargfrede. “That has really paid off for me in the long run.

“My parents were huge inspiration to me growing up, pushing me to reach my full potential.”

Bargfrede also earned all-North Central Conference honors in volleyball last fall, as she recorded a team-best 413 assists to go along with 159 kills, 208 digs and 31 blocks.

The softball diamond is where Bargfrede has always shone brightest, though. Since becoming a regular starter as a freshman in 2021, Bargfrede won 60 games, struck out 732 batters — including 643 in the last three years combined — and helped lead the Lynx to a record of 47-7 in the NCC, with league titles in 2021 and ’22.

“I want to be remembered as a positive influence to my team and someone that younger athletes can look up to,” Bargfrede said. “And I want to thank all of the older teammates I had through out the years, especially Kelly Stoakes. She was an awesome role model and friend to have in high school.

“I also want to thank my current teammates, friends, and my family for all the support they’ve given me throughout the years.”

Bargfrede set the school record for strikeouts in a single contest when she whiffed 20 Clarion-Goldfield/Dows batters in June of 2022. She threw one of the program’s nine perfect games all-time against the Cowgirls this season, and closed her prep career with five different no-hit outings.

“My favorite memories are definitely winning conference twice and breaking the school strikeout record,” Bargfrede said.

In 2024, Bargfrede was the Webster City leader in every main pitching category, as well as hits, triples and batting average at the plate. She was a unanimous first team all-North Central Conference selection, and last weekend, participated in the IGCA Senior All-Star Showcase Series in Waukee.

VanDeer had a front-row seat to it all. The coach also saw how committed Bargfrede was to attaining athletic and academic achievement behind the scenes when no one was looking.

“Her work in the classroom never took a back seat to athletics,” VanDeer said. “And that included much more than the average person: Pitching lessons, club volleyball, club softball, and the time it took to be a multi-sport athlete. Yet she was still able to have extraordinary success in the classroom, finishing (as the Valedictorian).

“The drive and determination Delainey had to be great was so contagious. She will have a hand in what we are able to achieve as a program for many years to come. I know there are very young athletes who will someday play varsity ball that will remember watching her and wanting to be like her. I don’t think there is a better reward out there than that.”

The statitics and records will always help define Bargfrede’s career, but VanDeer contends there is a much bigger picture to her legacy.

“She showed our program a blueprint for how to become your best,” VanDeer said. “The numbers and awards and everything are great and well-deserved, but Delainey is leaving something with us that is so much more valuable and longer lasting.”