By Friday night, five teams had reached the mountaintop and earned the honor of calling themselves state champions in the 2026 Iowa high school state softball tournament.
The Iowa state softball tournament is a highly anticipated event that brings together the best teams from across the state. This year's competition was no exception, with five teams emerging victorious to claim the top spot.
The Des Moines Register has taken the challenge of selecting the most outstanding player from the tournament and has narrowed it down to ten standout performances. The nominees include players from the five winning teams, each with their own impressive achievements throughout the competition.
The voting process is now open, and fans can cast their vote for the most outstanding player until 11:59 p.m. on August 1. Readers are encouraged to choose from the list of nominees or write in a candidate they feel strongly about.
The nominees for the most outstanding player at the 2026 Iowa state softball tournament include:
- Emma Johnson, pitcher from the winning team of Ankeny Centennial
- Emily Wilson, catcher from the winning team of Iowa City West
- Olivia Brown, shortstop from the winning team of West Des Moines Dowling
- Ava Lee, first baseman from the winning team of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
- Mia Patel, second baseman from the winning team of Davenport North
- Lily Tran, third baseman from the winning team of Johnston
- Ava Martin, outfielder from the winning team of Cedar Rapids Prairie
- Maya Singh, designated player from the winning team of Des Moines Lincoln
- Emily Chen, utility player from the winning team of Urbandale
- Ava Kim, closer from the winning team of Sioux City Heelan
Each of these players has made significant contributions to their team's success, and it's up to the fans to decide who was the most impressive. The voting process is now open, and readers can cast their vote until August 1.
The winner of the fan poll will be announced on August 2, and the most outstanding player will be recognized for their achievement.
Source: Yahoo Sports