2024-25 SENECA FOUNDRY DAILY FREEMAN-JOURNAL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR Cloe Savitski (right) and Jayden Weinzetl hold their trophies next to DFJ advertising manager Trevor Christensen (left) and Seneca Foundry president Lori Mason. (DFJ photo by Britt Kudla)

The new athletic season at Webster City will be missing a key component and a familiar face.

Cloe Savitski, who graduated in May, was a constant figure around the softball, volleyball and track programs for the Lynx over the last four-plus years.

Savitski, who will be in Iowa Central’s nursing program this fall, is the recipient of the 2024-25 Seneca Foundry Daily Freeman-Journal Female Athlete of the Year award.

Over the past five summers, Savitski played in 138 games for the Webster City softball squad. She recorded 130 stolen bases, with 106 runs scored and 21 runners thrown out from her catcher position.

As just an eighth-grader, Savitski left her mark on the storied Lynx history books, stealing a single-season school-record 59 bases.

Savitski was far from a one-sport standout, though. She played in 118 matches during her volleyball career, where she recorded 890 digs with 55 assists and 30 service aces. She had back-to-back years of over 300 digs as an upperclassman.

“Some of my best memories throughout my career weren’t from my own success, but watching my teammates succeed,” Savitski said. “I always loved being the first to hype someone up after a big kill in a volleyball game, after a game-winning home run, or when they set a personal record in track.

“One memory I will never forget is winning against St. Edmond at our home field (in softball), which led to us claiming a (North Central Conference) championship.”

Savitski was also a multi-time state track and field qualifier. She also competed for the Lynx girls wrestling squad as a senior.

“It means the world to me that I was chosen to represent Webster City athletics,” she said. “Being a Lynx brought me so many memories, friends and even taught me life lessons that I will — and have used — in my life.

“I hope younger generations get to experience what I experienced in a Lynx uniform.”

Savitski added she learned a great deal from head softball coach Brad VanDeer, head volleyball coach Jess Howard and head track coach Tyler Mosbach.

“They have been my biggest supporters,” Savitski said. “I couldn’t have asked for better people to guide me through high school. Not only through sports, but life in general.

“I don’t expect a lot of people to remember me in the next generation at Webster City, but if they do, I hope they use my success in sports to push themselves to be an even better athlete than I was.”

Savitski was a 2025 winner of the Iowa Girl Lisa Brinkmeyer Award, which goes to senior girls in Iowa who have excelled in both athletics and academics. She was an all-North Central Conference selection this past year in volleyball and softball.

“The thing I will miss the most about playing for the Lynx is the people,” she said. “The coaches, friends, parents and students that would cheer us on during games. I will forever miss the atmosphere of running into the gym or field during a home game.

“Nothing beats that feeling.”

Along with working towards a degree in nursing, Savitski hopes to return home to coach in the future.