TR PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING – Marshalltown High School senior Sophie Younkin, seated center, recently signed to play volleyball and softball at Loras College in Dubuque starting in the fall. Younkin was joined at her signing ceremony by her sit-down parents Vickie and Mike, along with MHS softball coach Jim Palmer (standing left) and volleyball coach Kaylee Peschong.
Sophie Younkin is a triathlete for the Marshalltown Bobcats and has spent the last three years on the starting lineup of the girls’ basketball, volleyball and softball teams in various positions.
However, it was not certain that she would be able to play multiple sports at the collegiate level.
Eventually, all the pieces fell into place for the Bobcat senior, and she recently became the Bobcats’ second dual-sport commitment in the Class of 2022.
Younkin will be attending Loras College in Dubuque next season to play volleyball and softball for the DuHawks – and she said it was a huge relief that her future was decided before softball season started.
“I knew from a young age that I wanted to play sports, but I never imagined doing both,” Younkin said. “I’m super excited to start my new journey.”
Younkin joins Coe College to recruit Mia Rasmusson as MHS’s two-sport commit this school year, a rare sight in modern collegiate sports. Rasmusson will compete in track and field for the Kohawks, who compete in the same NCAA Division III track and field conference as Loras — the American Rivers Conference.
MHS Athletics and Activities Director Ryan Isgrig said it was a positive development for the Bobcats and a unique opportunity in the modern age of collegiate athletics.
“I think it’s great, of course,” said Isgrig. “It’s something we like to see. We are 24-25. largest [school] in the state but we all need our kids to compete in multiple sports. I think a lot of female athletes certainly bought into that.
“I think it’s a true reflection to see two Bobcat athletes move on and compete in two sports at the next level. It’s really great to see.”
During the fall 2021 volleyball season, Younkin was a key part of the Bobcats’ front-line attack, recording a team-high 225 kills with a .148 efficiency percentage. She clearly led the team with 256 in digs and was third with 10 in blocks.
Her serve was also strong, finishing second on the team with 27 aces.
As a volleyball player, Younkin has made great strides in her ability to be versatile and play all-around, said MHS head coach Kaylee Peschong.
“She’s such a physical player, she’s going to do really great things at this conference,” Peschong said. “Often people focus on how good she is on the front row, but she has really great ball control and is just as good on the back row.”
Younkin was a solid on plate for the Bobcats in softball last season, hitting .303 in 99 plate appearances and hitting 12 carries on 30 hits. Nineteen of those hits were singles and 11 were doubles, and she hit the plate three times on walks.
Her fielding also improved last season with a percentage of .844 despite making 17 errors.
Softball head coach Jim Palmer was proud of Younkin’s work ethic and determination to improve.
“She’s going to really shine, she’s put in a lot of work over the offseason,” Palmer said. “She’s really starting to emerge as the leader this program needs.”
The softball season begins in late May and it will be the seniors’ final run with Marshalltown. She will study criminal justice at Loras and has already had discussions with the professors there.
As she joins the ranks of dual athletes, she knows college will be busy for her. But the opportunity was more than worth the busy schedule she will have.
“I’m looking forward to it because I love both sports,” Younkin said.
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