Val Chapple reaped a pair of prestigious awards Thursday.

Chapple, a third baseman/catcher from Olathe East who has signed a letter of intent with Kansas University, was named softball athlete of the year by the National High School Coaches Assn.

Also, she was named Kansas prep player of the year by Gatorade.

Chapple, a 5-foot-6 senior, batted .583 with an .896 slugging percentage this spring for two-time Class 6A state champion Hawks. She had two hits as O-East edged Shawnee Mission Northwest, 3-2, Saturday at Clinton Lake Softball Complex for its second straight state large-class title.

Chapple holds eight Olathe East school records and has been named to numerous all-star teams.

“Val is the best third baseman and best hitter we’ve ever had in our program,” Olathe East coach Jeff Hulse said. “She plays with great passion and takes great pride in whatever she does.”

Chapple also is a standout in the classroom. She has a 4.35 grade-point average and scored 30 on the ACT.

“Val is an amazing player,” Hulse said. “She has one of the best gloves and backhands in the game. I will never forget her first at-bat of the season and her last at-bat.”

The first was a 250-foot home run. The last was a single that started the two-run rally that carried the Hawks to the 6A state title.

Current KU second baseman Jessica Moppin, an Olathe South product, earned the same Gatorade honor in 2002.

Chapple is one of three high school players signed by KU coach Tracy Bunge. The other two are Erika Simington, a catcher from Scottsdale, Ariz., and Stevie Crisosto, a pitcher/infielder from Palo Cedro, Calif.