Congratulations to the Austin High School softball team on their run toward claiming a state championship.

It's a culmination of hard work the girls, coaches and parents have all endured to get to this point, and one each should be proud of.

It's hard enough for individuals to get to the state championship level in any sport. And for that, we also tip our hat to local prep athletes who have recently made it to the state title ranks in golf and track.

But to do it as a team is just as tough, if not tougher. Every person on that team is a spoke in the wheel. And if one of those spokes breaks down, the wheel can't function.

But it's been a smooth ride for the Packer girls this season. Going into today's game, the team has complied a 20-3 record and have been winners of nine straight games.

The team's hard work and dedication has definitely paid off. It's quite an accomplishment to gave gone this far in postseason play.

For that, we congratulate the team on an outstanding season.