The 2026 IHSAA girls track and field season has come to a close and it's time for you to vote for the Athlete of the Year.

Make your pick in the poll at the bottom of the article. The poll will close at noon on Friday, June 26.

More: Fan poll: Who will win boys track and field Athlete of the Year?

Ellie Barada, Bloomington South

Barada, a two-time national champion, won her second consecutive state title in the 800 meter run as a senior. The North Carolina recruit ran time of 2:05.33 to defend her crown and better her time of 2:07:30 from her junior season. Barada was also a part of the second-place 4x800-meter relay team at state.

More: Bloomington South track senior Violet Hall wants to be recognized for talent

Kenedi Bradley, Chesterton

Bradley won a state title in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.94. As a senior, the Butler recruit also placed sixth in the 200-meter dash.

Sadie Foley, Carmel

Foley helped Carmel repeat as the team state champion. The Indiana recruit ran second leg for the first-place 4x800-meter relay team as a senior. Individually, she placed second (4:49.51) in the 1600 meter run.

More: Indiana high school girls state track and field meet results, winners, record breakers

Jordyn Fort, Merrillville

Fort won a state title in the 100 hurdles (13.86) as a sophomore.

Maddison Judge, Franklin

Judge clinched a state title in discus with a throw of 152 feet, 8 inches. She won gold as a sophomore.

Anissa Lammie, Hamilton Southeastern

Lammie secured two state titles as a junior. She ran second leg for the state-winning 4x400-meter relay team. Individually, she won gold in the 400-meter dash (54.32).

De'Janay Layne, Evansville North

Layne, an Indiana State recruit, placed first at state in the 200-meter dash (24.30) and second in the 100-meter dash (12.12) during her senior year.

Kaitlyn Oshimura, Carmel

Oshimura ran third leg for the state-winning 4x800-meter relay team. The Ohio University recruit placed third in the 800 with a time of 2:10.69 as a senior.

Norah Reiger, Hamilton Heights

Reiger placed second (55.25) in the 400-meter dash at state. She also ran the opening leg for the seventh-place 4x400-meter relay team.

Chloe Senefeld, Hamilton Southeastern

Senefeld was the anchor leg for the state-winning 4x400-meter relay team. The Iowa recruit also placed second in the 300 hurdles with a time of 42.19 as a senior.

Amelia Smith, Guerin Catholic

A year removed from not clearing the opening bar at state, Smith turned it around and won a pole vault state title as a junior. She earned a jump of 13 feet to claim gold.

Isabella Sotelo, Eastern Hancock

Sotelo clinched a state crown in the 300-meter hurdles (41.49), which came close to the state meet record of 41.36. She also placed second in the 100 hurdles (13.86) as a junior.

Kira Smith, Warren Central

Smith took home the high jump state title. She recorded a leap of 5-10 to win gold as a junior. She also placed sixth at state in the 300 hurdles.

Larkin Taylor, Carmel

Taylor was a catalyst in the Greyhounds’ second consecutive state team title. She ran anchor leg for the state-winning 4x800 team. Individually, she placed third in the 1600 (4:51.47) and sixth in the 800 (2:11.22) as a junior.

Mallory Weller, Concordia

Weller repeated as a double state champion during her senior year. The NC State recruit won the 1600 (4:46.34) and 3200 (10:18.66). Both of those times are better than what she posted during her state run as a junior.

Marc Ray is a high school sports reporter at the IndyStar. He can be reached at marc.ray@indystar.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Vote for the IndyStar's girls track and field Athlete of the Year

Attacker, midfielder, defender or goalie. Who's your pick for the GameTimePA's YAIAA girls lacrosse player of the year?

We began our search with the all-stars picked out by league coaches to create an online poll of who we consider the top players from around the YAIAA. We want to hear your pick for which player stood out among the rest.

The winner will be announced after the poll closes at noon on Thursday, June 25.

Can't see the poll? Refresh your browser.

Vote for GameTimePA's YAIAA girls lacrosse player of the year

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Vote now to pick GameTimePA's girls lacrosse player of the year

Attacker, midfielder, defender, goalie. Who's got your pick for the best boys lacrosse player in the YAIAA this season?

We began our search with the all-stars selected by league coaches to create an online poll of who we consider the top players from around the YAIAA. We want to hear your pick for which player stood out among the rest.

The winner will be announced after the poll closes at noon on Thursday, June 25.

Can't see the poll? Refresh your browser.

Vote for GameTimePA's YAIAA boys lacrosse player of the year

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Poll is open to pick GameTimePA's boys lacrosse player of the year

Infielder, outfielder, pitcher or batting powerhouse. Who's your pick for GameTimePA's YAIAA baseball player of the year?

We began our search with the all-stars picked out by league coaches to create an online poll of who we consider the top players from around the YAIAA. We want to hear your pick for which player stood out among the rest.

The winner will be announced after the poll closes at noon on Thursday, June 25.

Can't see the poll? Refresh your browser.

YAIAA Baseball: YAIAA coaches roll out 2026 baseball all-stars, players of the year

YAIAA Boys Lacrosse: YAIAA coaches announce boys lacrosse all-stars, league MVPs

Vote for GameTimePA's YAIAA baseball player of the year

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Poll is open to pick GameTimePA's baseball player of the year

The Florida high school boys track and field season is in the books. Who was the best in 2026 for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida?

For fans, here's your chance to vote for the top boys track and field athlete following the 2026 season across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.

Cast your vote for the top athlete in Jacksonville-area boys track and field in the Times-Union's fan poll. Note that the fan poll does not determine the Times-Union's All-First Coast awards, which are released in late June. Fan poll voting remains open through 10 a.m. Monday, June 22.

It will be hard to see her leave the program, but Council Rock North girls' lacrosse head coach Denise Noseworthy is well aware bigger things are on the way for senior Cat McBride.

"She's ready for college," Noseworthy said. "She was face-guarded so much in the (Suburban One League) because everybody knew who she was.

"She would have two or three girls covering her and that makes it hard. At Michigan, she's going to do great. She'll be able to fit right in."

McBride, the Suburban One League National Conference MVP, did plenty for the Indians in her four years as a starter (she leaves as the school's all-time leader in goals with over 250), and has been named the Courier Times/Intelligencer Girls' Lacrosse Player of the Year.

"I was just so proud of everyone on the team with the way we faced adversity," McBride said.

"We were always resilient and just stuck together as a team. I really enjoyed every year with our team."

Girls Lacrosse Team of Year: See who is our Bucks County area Girls' Lacrosse Team of the Year

McBride, Mann leading CR North: Cat McBride, Gabby Mann helping Council Rock North girls' lacrosse soar

A three-time, first-team Courier Times/Intelligencer selection, McBride was also named a USA Lacrosse All-America.

"I've been coaching here for eight years and never had a player named an All-American," Noseworthy said.

"And she's absolutely deserving of it. We played against some really good teams, and she always played well in every game."

A midfielder, McBride's abilities enable her to excel anywhere on the field.

"I could see her playing defense in college because she's just lights out defensively," Noseworthy said.

Girls Lacrosse Coach of Year: Find out who is our Bucks County area Girls' Lacrosse Coach of the Year

Girls Lacrosse All Area Team: All-area girls' lacrosse team filled with Bucks County area talent

"She's fast, she knows how to angle her body to cut off the opposing player and has the ability to beat the other girl to a ground ball 90 percent of the time."

McBride just wants to help the Wolverines any way she can.

"Wherever they see me fitting in is fine with me," said McBride, who plans to major in business.

"I'm just looking forward to going there and doing as well as I can."

Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PA High School Girls Lacrosse McBride Council Rock North Bucks County

It has been a long time coming.

Seriously.

The Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts are state champions in baseball for the first time since 1953 after beating Madison Memorial 11-5 for the WIAA Division 1 state championship at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Thursday, June 18.

“A lot of smiles, a lot of happiness and a lot of joy with a really great group of guys,” Kaukauna coach Mike Jenkins said. “It’s a group of 25 I’ve known for a long time.”

It’s a group of 25 where everyone had the chance to contribute to Kaukauna’s 24-7 season.

In the championship game, it started with starting pitcher Bennett Geitner.

Geitner was making his ninth appearance of the season on the mound but just his second start of the season.

“He really did a good job for us, especially after losing Paxton [Schuh],” Jenkins said. “He settled into the closer role and into that No. 3 guy for us. Realistically, it queued him up being our starter tonight.”

Geitner went four innings and allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one to get the win.

“We wanted four innings out of him and that’s what he gave us,” Jenkins said.

“Coach told me to give us all you’ve got for the amount of innings it takes and just do your job,” Geitner said.

Geitner’s only hiccup came with two outs in the third inning when he walked two batters and hit one before giving up a single to Caleb Liggon and a triple to Ezra Liggon as the Spartans took a 4-1 lead.

Kaukauna rallied back with five runs in its half of the third and Geitner pitched a quick fourth inning.

That set up an unexpected contributor for Kaukauna in Schuh, who suffered a torn meniscus four weeks ago and hadn’t pitched since.

Prior to the injury, Schuh was 7-1 in nine games including eight starts. He had crafted a 2.29 ERA over 39 innings with 15 walks and 60 strikeouts.

“I had surgery three weeks ago on my knee,” Schuh said. “One week ago, I had a conversation with my [physical therapist] and she said there was no way. I had another checkup this week on Monday and they said that I had a 2% chance and I ran with it.

“I grinded this whole week. Anything I could do to get back out there. Everything went well. Beyond blessed.”

Buoyed by a huge Kaukauna contingent wearing orange and black, Schuh allowed one run on a single, two walks, a hit batter and a triple.

“I knew before yesterday’s game [vs. Nicolet] that he was available today, but it was one of those things we had to work through that everyone was in the right space and make sure that he was able to do the job,” Jenkins said. “He sure did.”

Schuh, who struck out Madison Memorial’s Blake Adams for the title-clinching out, said there were no nerves.

“It was all business when I was out there,” Schuh said. “I was dialed.”

The combined effort by Geitner and Schuh capped a great five-game stretch of pitching for Kaukauna.

It started in the sectional semifinal win over Kimberly when Carson Gates pitched a complete game and in the sectional final win over Bay Port when Bron Schaefer pitched six innings and Geitner closed out the game.

In the state quarterfinal win over River Falls, Gates spun another complete game with Schaefer pitching a complete game against Nicolet in the semifinal win.

“It really came down to the people who could start for us and finish this game” Geitner said. “It really came down to them, and they got us where we needed to be. Everyone was hands on deck for the last game.”

Offensively, the Ghosts got contributions from up and down the lineup.

In Kaukauna’s five-run third inning, the Ghosts had one run in with two outs when Blake Vandeloo, who was hitting in the No. 9 spot and had three hits, drew an inning-extending walk. Schaefer, who had two hits, scored twice and drove home three runs, singled in two runs. Kaden Kress beat out an infield single to deep short and Brayden Jenkins hit a flare to center field to score two more runs to put Kaukauna up 6-4.

“Our offense has been clicking on all cylinders this whole playoff run,” coach Jenkins said. “Truly one through nine contributing every game through this run.”

Kress came up big in Kaukauna’s three-run fifth inning as well, ripping a double to left that scored Vandeloo, who had led off the inning with a triple, and Schaefer, who was hit by a pitch and stole second.

“I was in the dugout and saw we got a couple of guys on,” Kress said. “I said to myself that I’m getting two RBI. There’s no other choice. No other choice.”

And he did just that.

“I just kept telling myself that I can do better,” said Kress, who finished with three hits and three RBIs. “Keep fighting. I knew this was my last game and I was going to give it my all for this city.”

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Kaukauna Ghosts win first WIAA state baseball title since 1953

Bradley Bornhorn's first varsity start came against Beechwood on April 22. The Holy Cross senior gave up six hits and eight runs in 3.1 innings, but it was his willpower that his teammates, coaches and opposition admired.

"I was determined to get out of those jams that I was in and really just do the best I could for the team," Bornhorn said.

Born with spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord fails to close completely during pregnancy and infancy, Bornhorn epitomized perseverance in his two seasons on the Indians' baseball team. He is one of six recipients of the Cincinnati Enquirer's 2026 Courage Award, presented at the High School Sports Awards show on June 16.

Bradley Bornhorn has never settled

Bornhorn had surgery to seal his spinal cord one day after being born, then had another procedure in 2020 to repair his spinal cord tether.

"When we first found out ‒ and he's the youngest of four ‒ you never want to hear anything is different with your kids or wrong or whatever, and there were just a lot of unknowns before he was even born. As he was growing up, there was a lot of, 'How's he going to do this or that?' You could just see him sitting there watching his siblings and friends, and he was just gonna figure out how to do it. He always just sat there and watched and the next thing you know, he was right there in the mix with them. He's always been a determined kid and he's always wanted to be a part of the group," Bradley's mother, Stephanie, said.

Growing up, he played soccer for a short period of time but didn't like it, partially because it involved a lot of running. Spina bifida affects the sensory and motor neurons in the lower body, so Bornhorn never quite had the musculature that soccer requires. He also can't feel pain below his knees.

Born into a baseball-loving family in a baseball town, he frequented Great American Ball Park and gained an admiration for Reds pitchers like Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani and Hunter Greene. That love for the sport continued as he took the diamond at an early age.

"My parents have really given me everything I need to be able to excel. My coaches have been really good about watching me and knowing what my limits are," Bradley said.

His father, Josh, added: "He's exceeded every expectation that I've ever wanted for him. I try not to set lofty goals for my kids because everybody's their own person and I want them to do whatever they want to do."

Bradley Bornhorn has been a workhorse for Holy Cross baseball

Holy Cross baseball coach Rob Weremeling first met Bradley when he was in sixth grade and Wermeling was coaching Ben Bornhorn, who was a sophomore at the time.

"He's always been determined, always been a good teammate and gives absolutely 100 percent every day, every time," Wermeling said.

Bornhorn brought a different perspective to the Indians' pitching staff. He wears braces on his lower legs and has limited ankle flexibility, leading to an adapted delivery and decreased velocity. He made up for it with his core strength and creativity on the mound.

"He knows how to locate pitches. He knew that he wasn't going to blow the ball by anybody so he would pitch to contact," Wermeling said. "There were times early in his career where he might have gotten hit a little bit but that never deterred him from trying to do something that he wasn't capable of doing, which speaks to his character."

For as much as the baseball program has welcomed Bradley, the Bornhorn family has just as much love for Holy Cross, Wermeling and pitching coach Andy Roenker. Bradley believes that he couldn't have had the career that he did or be embraced by his teammates at any other school.

"He was the name they would yell if a pitcher was struggling on the mound. It was, 'Brad, go get ready.' and it wasn't even a second thought. To hear that while being on the bench keeping the book was the biggest compliment they could ever give me," Josh said.

Wermeling added: "One of our mottos that we go by is 'Holy Cross is a place for all.' We're very open to everybody who walks in the doors at Holy Cross and I think that Bradley shows that is truly is a place for all."

This fall, Bradley will attend Northern Kentucky University with the hopes of becoming a Major League Baseball broadcaster, continuing his dream while not letting his condition slow him down.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Holy Cross' Bradley Bornhorn a 2026 Courage Award recipient

Bradley Bornhorn's first varsity start came against Beechwood on April 22. The Holy Cross senior gave up six hits and eight runs in 3.1 innings, but it was his willpower that his teammates, coaches and opposition admired.

"I was determined to get out of those jams that I was in and really just do the best I could for the team," Bornhorn said.

Born with spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord fails to close completely during pregnancy and infancy, Bornhorn epitomized perseverance in his two seasons on the Indians' baseball team. He is one of six recipients of the Cincinnati Enquirer's 2026 Courage Award, presented at the High School Sports Awards show on June 16.

Bradley Bornhorn has never settled

Bornhorn had surgery to seal his spinal cord one day after being born, then had another procedure in 2020 to repair his spinal cord tether.

"When we first found out ‒ and he's the youngest of four ‒ you never want to hear anything is different with your kids or wrong or whatever, and there were just a lot of unknowns before he was even born. As he was growing up, there was a lot of, 'How's he going to do this or that?' You could just see him sitting there watching his siblings and friends, and he was just gonna figure out how to do it. He always just sat there and watched and the next thing you know, he was right there in the mix with them. He's always been a determined kid and he's always wanted to be a part of the group," Bradley's mother, Stephanie, said.

Growing up, he played soccer for a short period of time but didn't like it, partially because it involved a lot of running. Spina bifida affects the sensory and motor neurons in the lower body, so Bornhorn never quite had the musculature that soccer requires. He also can't feel pain below his knees.

Born into a baseball-loving family in a baseball town, he frequented Great American Ball Park and gained an admiration for Reds pitchers like Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani and Hunter Greene. That love for the sport continued as he took the diamond at an early age.

"My parents have really given me everything I need to be able to excel. My coaches have been really good about watching me and knowing what my limits are," Bradley said.

His father, Josh, added: "He's exceeded every expectation that I've ever wanted for him. I try not to set lofty goals for my kids because everybody's their own person and I want them to do whatever they want to do."

Bradley Bornhorn has been a workhorse for Holy Cross baseball

Holy Cross baseball coach Rob Weremeling first met Bradley when he was in sixth grade and Wermeling was coaching Ben Bornhorn, who was a sophomore at the time.

"He's always been determined, always been a good teammate and gives absolutely 100 percent every day, every time," Wermeling said.

Bornhorn brought a different perspective to the Indians' pitching staff. He wears braces on his lower legs and has limited ankle flexibility, leading to an adapted delivery and decreased velocity. He made up for it with his core strength and creativity on the mound.

"He knows how to locate pitches. He knew that he wasn't going to blow the ball by anybody so he would pitch to contact," Wermeling said. "There were times early in his career where he might have gotten hit a little bit but that never deterred him from trying to do something that he wasn't capable of doing, which speaks to his character."

For as much as the baseball program has welcomed Bradley, the Bornhorn family has just as much love for Holy Cross, Wermeling and pitching coach Andy Roenker. Bradley believes that he couldn't have had the career that he did or be embraced by his teammates at any other school.

"He was the name they would yell if a pitcher was struggling on the mound. It was, 'Brad, go get ready.' and it wasn't even a second thought. To hear that while being on the bench keeping the book was the biggest compliment they could ever give me," Josh said.

Wermeling added: "One of our mottos that we go by is 'Holy Cross is a place for all.' We're very open to everybody who walks in the doors at Holy Cross and I think that Bradley shows that is truly is a place for all."

This fall, Bradley will attend Northern Kentucky University with the hopes of becoming a Major League Baseball broadcaster, continuing his dream while not letting his condition slow him down.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Holy Cross' Bradley Bornhorn a 2026 Courage Award recipient

MILWAUKEE – Preparing for an opponent like the Divine Savior Holy Angels girls soccer team is one thing.

Actually playing against the highly-touted Dashers is another issue entirely.

Top-seeded DSHA was impressive in shutting out Kimberly 3-0 in a WIAA Division 1 state semifinal at Uihlein Soccer Park on June 18.

DSHA (18-2-2) advances to play Muskego (14-2-3) in the D1 title game Saturday, June 20. Muskego, the four-time defending state champion, beat Oregon 2-1 in the other semifinal.

The Dashers brought a style of play that was unique to the Papermakers. DSHA's aggressive attack forced Kimberly to drop extra defenders in the backfield, according to Kimberly coach Andrew Sutton.

"They do some things that we've never seen before," Sutton said. "We watch some film, but it's hard to replicate it and practice against.

"They really trust their backline, so when you leave your centerbacks back and you're attacking with eight or sometimes even nine girls, that means everybody has to defend. A lot of teams we play, they leave four back and so they're only attacking with six."

DSHA controlled play for most of the first half. The Dashers got a goal from Sarah McElherne, who booted in a loose ball in the box in the 21st minute. Reese Roethe scored 10 minutes later off an assist from older sister Avery Roethe that gave DSHA a 2-0 lead heading into the half.

Izzy Burris scored DSHA's third goal in the 50th minute off a header in the box to complete the scoring. DSHA outshot Kimberly 10-5, including 5-1 in the first half. The Dashers also had a 2-0 corner kicks advantage.

Kimberly (22-2) was able to pressure DSHA on offense more in the second half, according to Sutton.

"I thought we had some really good moments in the second half," Sutton said. "Again, we just couldn't quite get that really good shot that we wanted. But I thought we had moments where we were in their defensive third. But [DSHA] is just so smart on the ball and they would defend well and then find a way to get it out. We just couldn't find that final shot."

Kimberly says goodbye to a senior class that helped the Papermakers make three consecutive state appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2024 – Brey, Bee Brockert, Lily Werner, Ayla Raasch, Emily Urban and Katie Owens.

"I'm just still in awe," Sutton said. "To come down here for the third time. ... You look at some of the seniors who have been such a key part of our success, even as sophomores two years ago. Part of the reason we're here is because of them. But then we have some sophomores and a freshman. We had some juniors come up big this year. I think we were able to jell. I think the seniors helped relay some of the expectations of how we play and why we're so successful."

Owens pointed out how difficult it is for teams to make it to state three consecutive seasons.

"I'm just super proud of this team and what we've gone through," she said. "It was super cool playing with my younger sister Lindsey. And it's cool playing with the senior group and we've been here since we first came to state my sophomore year."

Brey said she had a memorable connection with her team.

"I have such wonderful teammates," Brey said. "I know everyone out there played 110% for us. I can walk away from this game knowing that we tried our best. We might not have gotten the victory, but it shows the people we are and that we did try our best."

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Kimberly Papermakers fall in WIAA D1 state soccer semifinal

GRAND CHUTE - For the first time in program history, Pewaukee Pirates baseball is the WIAA state champion.

"Feels incredible. We've been chasing a long time, special for this group of kids. They earned it. Did not have high expectations coming in. Young team, rebuild-type year, and they just went out and got it. Twenty-six games in a row is unbelievable," Pewaukee co-head coach Adam Dobberstein said.

The Pirates defeated Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic Academy 5-4 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium to hang on despite nearly seeing their three-run lead evaporate in the top of the seventh.

A go-ahead two-RBI single by Pirates junior Jack Tabbert had given Pewaukee the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Coming off what he desribed as a rough day at the plate in the state semifinal, Tabbert said phone calls with his parents helped the UW-Madison football commit reset for the big moment in the title game. The junior faced his moment of retribution after drawing a full count with runners on first and second in a 2-2 game in the fifth.

"I just knew the game might be on the line here, so I gotta smoke one. One of my coaches was talking about just right-center approach, and just take it the other way. It was awesome. It was everything I've been working for for my whole life," Tabbert said.

The potential extra-base hit liner to right was limited to a single as Tabbert was floating around first from his go-ahead hit, missed the bag and had to retreat.

"I didn't know the technical rule, so I didn't want to go to second and then have me call them out, and those runs don't score," Tabbert said.

With a state gold medal around his neck after playing a pivotal role in Pewaukee's first WIAA baseball title, the future Badgers offensive lineman may have a new love after a spring fling on the diamond.

"Even though I'm a football guy, I mean, if you ask me right now, baseball is my favorite sport," Tabbert said. "It goes back and forth, but it was just amazing to be able to go out there and do that for my team."

Pewaukee led 5-2 with three defensive outs remaining and junior Max Metz on the mound for his third inning of relief looking to close the door. Metz was promoted from JV at the end of the regular season, got one regular-season outing and was suddenly thrust into pivotal spots throughout the Pirates' playoff run. His contributions were emblematic of a program that relied on first-time varsity players throughout a 30-2 season.

"When I got pulled up for the last two games of the season, everyone was super welcoming. Everyone had my back from the first game. It was awesome. We all picked each other up, and everyone played a part and contributed," Metz said.

After inducing a groundout to the leadoff hitter, KSJCA senior Dominic Santarelli reached on an infield single. Any hopes of a one-out game-tying rally were dealt a significant blow when Pewaukee catcher Hudson Bremberger gunned down Santarelli trying to steal second.

"Incredible leader, I mean, he's our glue. Hudson's dad Bryan was a captain on my first team at Pewaukee in 2001, and was a great athlete, so I'm at that phase where you get the second generation, but Hudson is just cerebral, tough and there were other things today. ... He was doing little things every inning to help the team win," Dobberstein said.

The Lancers proved they were not ready to lay down, as Christopher Kenesie walked before Zach Rizzo launched a two-run home run to dead center to make it a one-run game. Still an out away from the title, Dobberstein took a mound visit to lighten the mood for his junior pitcher.

"I just asked him if he ever in a million years thought that he would be here this year, and he laughed. I was hoping to get him to smile, and he said, 'Never in a million years.' I said, you've just gotta relax and fill up the zone and get the last out," Dobberstein said.

"He just came out and smiled at me, and I cracked a smile, and I just started laughing. It was like, you just gotta laugh about something like that, and just get the last one," Metz said.

He would do just that, inducing Patrick Davidson to fly out to center to send a band of happy Pirates flooding out of the dugout. Dobberstein, who had amassed over 500 career wins as a head coach with his brother Marc by his side, could finally raise a state title trophy with his brother on behalf of his baseball family.

"It's a family deal, so I'm so happy for him. I'm happy for my nephew Brooks, happy that they got to experience that together. Just a really special thing," Adam Dobberstein said.

Dobberstein added that a victory parade awaited in Pewaukee, something the city has grown accustomed to in other sports, but never before in baseball.

"In the last 12 years, we've been to eight sectionals, six sectional finals and four state tournaments, so we've had some state-caliber teams, but it takes a bit of good luck, right? You don't throw that guy out on second base, that ball skips two inches the other way, and all of a sudden you're in a tie game, so it means a lot. We've had a lot of great athletes at Pewaukee, especially in this last eight- to 10-year window," Dobberstein said.

Metz pitched the final three innings in relief, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. Sophomore JonDavid Jacobs started the game and pitched four innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and four walks. Logan Peterson and Tabbert led the offense with two hits each, with Peterson scoring twice and Tabbert driving in two.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pewaukee Pirates baseball team wins first WIAA state championship

Saltillo's Lynley McCarley has been selected as the Gatorade Mississippi Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season, Gatorade announced on June 18.

The 5-foot-8 senior goalkeeper led the Tigers to a 24-4 record this season and a fourth straight MHSAA Class 6A state championship, with a 2-0 win over Long Beach. McCarley earned MVP honors in the title game.

McCarley was credited with 22 shutout performances this year and also scored five goals. She allowed only five goals all season. McCarley led a Saltillo team that outscored its opponents 146-8 this past season.

“Lynley was so impactful for her team," DeSoto Central soccer coach Josh Metzger said in a release. "She’s simply a quality keeper.”

McCarley is an Arkansas State soccer signee. The senior tallied a career total of 66 clean sheets during her time at Saltillo.

McCarley joins recent Gatorade Mississippi girls soccer players of the year winners Addie Siders (2023-25, Sumrall), Mary Frances Symmes (2022-23, Gulfport) and Kate Smith (2020-21 and 2021-22, Gulfport).

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Saltillo's Lynley McCarley wins 2026 Gatorade girls soccer player of the year

The Gardner News recapped the spring season and took a look at the top players from each team that helped make an impact on the field.

Check out the nominees for Softball Player of the Year and vote for who you think deserves the honor.

Reader votes will make up 25% of the tally, with Sports Reporter Cait Kemp making up the rest of the vote.

The poll will run until June 27 at noon.

The poll

The nominees

Sadie Bauver, Murdock

Bauver was third on the Mid-Wach D batting leaderboard with an average of .532, 25 hits and 11 RBIs.

Lacey Beauregard, Narragansett

Beauregard was one of Narragansett's top contributors this season. She averaged .484 at the plate with 27 runs and 34 RBIs.

Shannon Connolly, Murdock

Connolly had a strong season at the plate. She had a batting average of .525, 21 hits and 15 RBIs.

More: See how Gardner-area lacrosse teams finished the spring season

Mia Curtis, Oakmont

The junior dominated for Oakmont once again this season with a .460 batting average and .532 on-base percentage.

Alli Fitzsimmons, Gardner

The senior finished her high school softball career on a high note, reaching 100 career hits in the Wildcats final game of the season. She was a leader for Gardner both offensively and defensively, as the team's catcher.

Emma Goodwin, Oakmont

The junior contributed as one of the top batters and outfielders for the Spartans. She had a batting average of .436 with 27 RBIs.

Jordan Higbee, Monty Tech

Monty Tech's senior captain Higbee had a batting average of .416, 32 hits and 37 runs scored. She also had 15 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

Gianna Manca, Narragansett

Manca was one of the Warriors' leaders again this spring. She had a .586 batting average that included 28 RBIs and 36 runs.

More: Cast your vote for The Gardner News Baseball Player of the Year

Mia Manca, Narragansett

Manca had an average of .457 at the plate with 43 runs and 17 stolen bases.

Mabel Miling, Monty Tech

The sophomore pitcher had a strong season for the Bulldogs. She was 12-4 in the circle with 148 strikeouts, over 100 innings pitched and under 3.00 ERA. At the plate, she had a .481 average, 38 hits, 10 home runs and 51 RBIs.

Callighan Milne, Oakmont

The sophomore came into the season never having caught before and took on the responsibilities of being the Spartans' catcher, knowing they needed someone to step up this season. She had zero errors in the field and had a .438 average at the plate.

Maggie Pernaa, Monty Tech

The junior captain and second baseman was a force for the Bulldogs. She had a batting average of .544 with 34 hits including three home runs, four triples and seven doubles. She also had 31 RBIs and 39 runs scored. At second, she only had one error all year.

Abby Rogowski, Quabbin

Rogowski led as a junior captain for the Panthers. She batted .600 with 12 doubles, five triples and three home runs. She also had 33 RBIs, seven walks and just two strikeouts the whole season.

She also contributed as Quabbin's pitcher, finishing with a 2.31 ERA and totaling 86 strikeouts.

Violet Walsh, Gardner

The senior dominated in the circle for Gardner this spring, including a one-hitter against Athol to kick off the season. She was also a reliable player at the plate.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Vote for the The Gardner News Softball Player of the Year

Fans have a chance to vote for who they think should be The Oklahoman's 2026 Fans' Choice High School Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Below are 15 players from the OKC metro.

Voting is open until noon Thursday, July 2.

More: Who should be The Oklahoman's 2026 fans' choice boys soccer player of the year? Go vote

More: Who should be The Oklahoman's 2026 fans' choice girls golfer of the year? Go vote

2025-26 HIGH SCHOOL RECAP:Fall sports awards, Winter sports awards, Spring sports awards

FANS' CHOICE VOTING: Baseball, boys golf, girls golf, boys soccer, girls soccer, slowpitch softball, boys tennis, girls tennis, boys track, girls track

More: How Choctaw landed three-time OSSAA girls basketball state champion coach Jenni Holbrook

How to buy Oklahoma high school basketball book

• What: "The Big House: Celebrating 60 years of high school basketball championships at State Fair Arena"
• Publisher: Pediment Books; hardcover, 144 pages.
• Price: $39.95, plus tax and shipping.
• Order today: Order today at OKBigHouse.PictorialBook.com

More: Who should be The Oklahoman's 2026 fans' choice girls track athlete of the year? Go vote

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up forThe Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Vote for The Oklahoman's fans' choice girls soccer player of the year

Fans have a chance to vote for who they think should be The Oklahoman's 2026 Fans' Choice High School Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Below are 15 players from the OKC metro.

Voting is open until noon Thursday, July 2.

More: Who should be The Oklahoman's 2026 fans' choice boys soccer player of the year? Go vote

More: Who should be The Oklahoman's 2026 fans' choice girls golfer of the year? Go vote

2025-26 HIGH SCHOOL RECAP:Fall sports awards, Winter sports awards, Spring sports awards

FANS' CHOICE VOTING: Baseball, boys golf, girls golf, boys soccer, girls soccer, slowpitch softball, boys tennis, girls tennis, boys track, girls track

More: How Choctaw landed three-time OSSAA girls basketball state champion coach Jenni Holbrook

How to buy Oklahoma high school basketball book

• What: "The Big House: Celebrating 60 years of high school basketball championships at State Fair Arena"
• Publisher: Pediment Books; hardcover, 144 pages.
• Price: $39.95, plus tax and shipping.
• Order today: Order today at OKBigHouse.PictorialBook.com

More: Who should be The Oklahoman's 2026 fans' choice girls track athlete of the year? Go vote

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up forThe Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Vote for The Oklahoman's fans' choice girls soccer player of the year

NJAC-National

First team: Adam Braccioforte, West Morris; Ian Yorks, Randolph; Rhone Armijo, West Morris; Kennan Byers, Randolph; Sean Wemmlinger, Morris Knolls; Andrew Ulto, West Morris; Zachary Richards-Powell, Parsippany Hills; Julian Hernandez, Randolph; Christian Velasco, Randolph; Austin Alfred, Randolph; Isam Jahan, Randolph; Ben Quinn, Randolph; Daniel Akpan, Roxbury; Christopher Rodman, Morris Knolls; Michael Szoke, Randolph; Douglas Brookes, Morris Knolls; Matthew Donnelly, Roxbury; Emmanuel Samaniego, Randolph; Justin Swayze, Randolph; Sivert Ramos, Roxbury; Aquinas Clancy, Morris Knolls; Jacob Conti, Randolph

Second team: Jordan Dixon, Randolph; Aaron Rey Bautista, Morris Knolls; Jake Rosario, West Morris; Russell Goldstein, Randolph; Asher Adeghe, Randolph; Ryan Faulkner, West Morris; Subomi Odedina, Randolph; Xavier Buoye, West Morris; Matthew Elghazaly, West Morris; Christian Jute, West Morris; Brendan Dilling, West Morris; Brayden Hallik, Morris Knolls; Maxwell Kelly, Roxbury; Will Knoth, Morris Knolls; Tyler Stone, Morris Knolls; Maddox Santiago, Morris Knolls; Liam Blaskopf, West Morris; Richard Corcoran, Morris Knolls; Samuel Cardona, Randolph; Erinson Febels, Randolph; Adam Margeson, Morris Knolls; Zahir Hoppe, Randolph

Honorable mention: Lex Montanaez, Morris Knolls; Carter Lindert, West Morris; Jonah Kali, Roxbury; Manav Patel, Randolph; Declan Mogan, Parsippany Hills

Division champion: Morris Knolls

Sportsmanship award: Roxbury

NJAC-Freedom

First team: Hackettstown 4x400 (Aidan Murphy, Marques McKenzie, Christian Torres, Joseph Pangallo); Brendon Lehman, High Point; Samuel Silva, Vernon; Wesley Faller, Lenape Valley; Sean Hall, Hackettstown; Eli Keegan, Hackettstown; Gabriel Villa, High Point; Matthew Frick, Jefferson; Benjamin Janitz, Jefferson; Remy Lighty, Jefferson; Erles Semelfort, Hackettstown; Noah Scherzer, Jefferson; Drew Mountain, Vernon; Aiden Hamilton, High Point; Isaac Smith-Lewis, Lenape Valley; Daniel Elston, High Point

Second team: Denzell Welling, Vernon; Dominick Forder, Hackettstown; Matteo Mancini, High Point; Paxton Gonzalez, High Point; Sean Seugling, Jefferson; Marcus Arias, Vernon; Hudson Dobkowski, Jefferson; Matt Lundy, Jefferson; Jacob de la Cruz, Jefferson; Dylan Hoover, Hackettstown; Sam Murphy, Lenape Valley; Ethan Thomas, Jefferson; Gavin Gailums, High Point; Thomas Bengyak, Hackettstown; Dennis Hoover, Hackettstown; Giovoughni Dureny, High Point; Ryan O'Toole, Lenape Valley; Owen Fryer, Hackettstown; Josh Ramirez, Jefferson

Honorable mention: Vincent DiFalco, Vernon; Leslie Assare, Hackettstown; Kingston Brown, High Point; Clinton Walters, Jefferson; Gio Romulo, Lenape Valley

Division champion: Hackettstown

Sportsmanship award: High Point

NJAC-United

First team: Isaiah Campbell, Morristown; Zachary McQueeney, Morristown; Leo Suttile, Morristown; Jesse Rosenberger, Morristown; Michael Vogts, Mendham; Kyle Wickham, Chatham; Dylan Zadourian, Chatham; Brady Byrne, Chatham; Marcus Valenzuela, Chatham; Matthew Kot, Morristown; Thomas Haines, Chatham; Thomas Proscia, Chatham; Nathan Enelamah, Morristown; Aidan Ponzio, Delbarton; Kevin Grundy, Chatham; John Aymil, Mendham; Anthony Agnoli, Montville; Daniel Gallic, Delbarton; Dever Hanlon, Delbarton

Second team: Caden Blaise, Mendham; Noah Strubel, Mendham; Cole Szabo, Mendham; Cameron Muir, Mendham; Colin Daley, Chatham; Pasquale Buttadauro, Montville; Giovanni Bushell, Delbarton; Todd Smith, Delbarton; Micah Pardue, Morristown; Anthony Manno, Morristown; Henry Ferguson, Chatham; Chris Smith, Montville; Martin Hindenlong, Delbarton; Alan Curtil, Mendham; Jackson Idle, Mendham; Matt Pini, Mendham; Gavin Janosy, Morristown; Krish Patel, Chatham; Reed Ogden, Mendham

Honorable mention: Devin Tandon, Chatham; Rafe Dickens, Mendham; Gabriel Mikutowicz, Montville; Kadin Hackett, Morristown; Hans Clovis, Delbarton

Division champion: Morristown

Sportsmanship award: Morristown

NJAC-Liberty

First team: Rohan Tucker, Madison; Jordan Wilson, Morristown Beard; Mouhamed Sarr, Parsippany; Jack Moore, Morristown Beard; Matthew Troiano, Morristown Beard; Michelangelo Lepore, Mountain Lakes; Braden Huang, Hanover Park; Nathan Beland, Madison; Parsippany 4x400 (Willie Buhanan, Shane Petzinger, Mouhamed Sarr, Ryan Zhang); Christian Lim, Mountain Lakes; Kyle Desrivieres, Madison; Stephen Sun, Mountain Lakes; James Castanon, Madison; Michael Sirna, Madison; Joseph Nigro, Mountain Lakes; Angelo Chirichello, Hanover Park

Second team: Kyle Dunn, Hanover Park; Gavin White, Morristown Beard; Ryan Zhang, Parsippany; Brandon Keyt, Mountain Lakes; Ian Johnson, Mountain Lakes; Philip Natale, Madison; Roudlerson Pierre, Hanover Park; Jude Abdy, Hanover Park; Mountain Lakes 4x400 (Michael Cera, Sebastian Stickley, Ryan Krzeptowski, Calvin Lim); Jacob Lyttle, Mountain Lakes; Allan Eldridge, Madison; Max Hann, Mountain Lakes; Will Arnstein, Madison; Gavin Delano, Hanover Park; Darius Payne, Morristown Beard; Alexander Vadas, Madison

Honorable mention: Gabe Garcia-Mulvey, Hanover Park; Daniel Palmer, Madison; Kai Cheng, Morristown Beard; Bao Yang Morgan, Mountain Lakes; Andy Portuphy, Parsippany

Division champion: Madison

Sportsmanship award: Madison

NJAC-Independence

First team: Whippany Park 4x400 (Cristian Pecoraro, Andrew Steinberg, David Angulo, Jason Griffin); Andrew Zuccala, Pequannock; Ilario Badalamenti, Kinnelon; Mario Sandoval, Boonton; Alex Blustein, Pequannock; Liam Uychich Pruner, Boonton; Sawyer Smith, Whippany Park; Brayden Lo, Whippany Park; Derek Rider, Whippany Park; Patrick Piechowski, Boonton; Gavin Kelly, Whippany Park; Kali Polanco, Boonton; Gavin Varner, Kinnelon; Antonio de la Rosa, Boonton; Liam Cobane, Whippany Park; Alexander Chiou, Whippany Park

Second team: Jaciel Lagos, Boonton; Nick Sherburne, Pequannock; Giocchino Panico, Pequannock; Garrett Stevens, Pequannock; Michael Zurfluch, Pequannock; Michael Bimonte, Whippany Park; Josh Parliman, Boonton; Ron Feldman, Kinnelon; Hunter Ashton, Kinnelon; Kieran Fitzgerald, Kinnelon; Ahmed Akbay, Boonton; Julius Asbury, Boonton; Dawood Adeel, Boonton; Matthew Mulligan, Whippany Park; Max Guerard, Whippany Park; Cody Roller, Boonton; Phoenix LaCorte, Boonton; Zach Marsh, Kinnelon; John Bertelli, Pequannock

Honorable mention: Henry Manton, Kinnelon; Jaiden Triana, Boonton; Brandon Smith, Whippany Park; Vincent Cantu, Morris Catholic; Chase Zalfino, Pequannock

Division champion: Whippany Park

Sportsmanship award: Kinnelon

NJAC-Colonial

First team: Dover 4x400 (Santiago Ceballos, Chris Morales, Enrique Suquilanda, Bryan Valdes); Emmanuel Oti, Wallkill Valley; Lorenzo Flores DeBenedictis, Wallkill Valley; Frederick Bansemer, Wallkill Valley; Derek Fleming, Wallkill Valley; Christian Oquendo, Dover; Matt McQueen; Sussex Tech; James Donofrio, Kittatinny; Christopher Delcalzo, Wallkill Valley; Jaden Quiles, Dover; Jordan Ebelle, Wallkill Valley; Taiwo Akitunde, Sussex Tech; Joshua Saltzman, Wallkill Valley; Justin Bonaparte, Wallkill Valley; Yousef Hayek, Hopatcong; Dylan Hutchinson, Wallkill Valley

Second team: Newton 4x400 (Sa'Keir Paul, Dylan Purkett, Jaden Roberts, Juan Amaya); Kiyon Simpson, Hopatcong; Kaeden Wilson, Wallkill Valley; Ravell Santos, Kittatinny; Alex Lupercio, Dover; Michael Gibson, Wallkill Valley; Alex Polichko, Hopatcong; Jeremiah Jones, Hopatcong; James Nicols, Newton; Aidan Williams, Hopatcong; Christopher McKenzie, Dover; Kehinde Akinutnde, Sussex Tech; Gavin Oldenburg, Kittatinny; Dominick Cordero; Dover; Luke Gleason, Kittatinny; Travis Barlow, Wallkill Valley

Honorable mention: Jayden ramsey, Sussex Tech; Ethan Koger, Wallkill Valley; Kevin Casul Gomez, Kittatinny; Anthony Quaglio, Newton; Nicholas Lombardi, Dover

Division champion: Wallkill Valley

Sportsmanship award: Dover

NJAC-American

First team: Cadence Rupprecht, Mount Olive; Le-Shem Little, Sparta; Nicholas Falcone, Morris Hills; Ryan Foley, Mount Olive; Marcus Petit-Frere, Morris Hills; Seamus Corcoran, Pope John; Stephen Shih, Morris Hills; Lajohn Alexis, Morris Hills; Bryce David, Mount Olive; Nicholas Foley, Mount Olive; Anthony Murray, Mount Olive; Ben Wans, Morris Hills; Daniel Arroyo, Pope John; Tyler Wright, Pope John; Nola Ribeiro, Morris Hills; Hunter Iorio, Morris Hills; Jayden Castro, Mount Olive; David Kinney, Pope John; Sam Lagattuta, Mount Olive

Second team: Luke O'Callaghan, Morris Hills; Zayne Carswell, Pope John; Vincent Gesumaria, Pope John; Ethan Poplawski, Pope John; Jeremiah Au, Morris Hills; Colby Batsch, Mount Olive; Evan Kennedy, Pope John; Spencer Prudenti, Pope John; Camilo Sepulveda, Morris Hills; Sarosh Poondla, Morris Hills; Vincent Giacchi, Poep John; Bryann Vilavicencio, Morris Hills; Ethan Beachem, Mount Olive Alexander Gimenez, Morris Hills; Sebastian Matos, Morris Hills; Chris Alden, Sparta

Honorable mention: Jacob Weinstock, Sparta; Reece Wilson, Pope John; Santhosh Yanumula, Mount Olive; Anderson Harris, Morris Hills

Division champion: Morris Hills

Sportsmanship award: Mount Olive

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris/Sussex boys track and field postseason honors 2026

Girls team

Lucy Arps, Chatham*; Gianna Benfatti, Roxbury*; Daniela Bracken, Parsippany Hills; Eliana Chavarria, Butler; Nicole Driscoll, Madison; Blythe Dudley, Villa Walsh; Addison Emge, Morristown; Kayla Ewing, Morristown; Sophia Ingargiola, Kinnelon; Fiona Jackson, Chatham*; Tahiyah Janvier, Morristown; Leah Johnson, Roxbury*; Georgia Hostler, West Morris; Nawel Ibazatene Lefebvre, Morristown*; Kelly Kaasmann, West Morris; Gianna Ledford, Morris Hills; Emma Liberato, West Morris*; Gianna Mancuso, Roxbury*; Sarah Nacinovich, Chatham*; Johanna Olsen, West Morris; Adair Para, Morris Knolls; Alanna Parkes, West Morris; Seannah Parsons, Randolph; Gabriella Pelov, Montville; Emily Piskadlo, Chatham*; Katherine Powers, Morristown; Jacqueline Reid, Parsippany*; Carly Renna, Randolph; Caroline Sardeira, West Morris*; Julia Suttile, Morristown; Lahari Thata, Montville; Kaylee Vieira, West Morris*; Lyla Wills, Mountain Lakes*; Riley Wright-Phillips, Whippany Park*

Boys team

Anthony Agnoli, Montville*; Lajohn Alexis, Morris Hills; Ilario Badalamenti, Kinnelon*; Caden Blaise, Mendham*; James Castanon, Madison; Bryce David, Mount Olive; Matthew Donnelly, Roxbury; Nathan Enelamah, Morristown; Nicholas Falcone, Morris Hills*; Nicholas Foley, Mount Olive; Ryan Foley, Mount Olive; Kevin Grundy, Chatham; Walter Hedblom-Green, Boonton; Martin Hindelong, Delbarton; Kevin Janosy, Morristown; Matthew Kot, Morristown; Anthony Murray, Mount Olive; Cadence Rupprecht, Mount Olive; Stephen Shih, Morris Hills; Rohan Tucker, Madison*; Marcus Valenzuela, Chatham; Ben Wans, Morris Hills; Sean Wemmlinger, Morris Knolls*; Andrew Zuccala, Pequannock

Note: Morris County champions are automatic selections, as are those who meet the coaches' A standard or win at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. Additional nominees must surpass the Morris County champion's winning mark and/or meet the B standard. Those marked with asterisks met the super standard.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris County Track Coaches Association spring postseason honors

For two panicked hours as a freshman, Katie Adams believed she hadn’t made varsity.

The verdict came in after Day 3 of tryouts, when coaches sent an email blast around Ridgewood to let players know if they were selected.

Phones buzzed. Group chats exploded. Everyone celebrated or commiserated. Everyone except Katie, who didn’t get anything.

Sitting in the car with her mom, she replayed tryouts in her head, wondering what she’d done wrong, wondering if the message went to a parent’s inbox instead.

Then she reached out to girls lacrosse coach Jim Montegari and found out why. She was accidentally left off the email.

“I was freaking out,” Adams said. “That was the scariest moment of my life.”

Four years later, she made sure her name was everywhere else − on the scoresheet, in the record book and in Ridgewood lore after scoring a hat trick in a 12-4 win over Cherokee in the Group 4 state final. It was her second state title after winning as a freshman.

Since then, Adams became a captain, an All‑American and a spark behind a Ridgewood program that went 70-21 during her career. She exits the stage as the North Jersey Female Athlete of the Week, presented by HSS.

Yet her defining moment came in this year’s North Group 4 sectional final against Morristown, where the Colonials sent the game to overtime on a goal with four seconds left. Ridgewood forced a turnover in OT, then called timeout to draw up a play.

“We wanted Katie to have the ball at the end,” Montegari said. “She's born for that situation with four years on varsity.”

The plan was to use a screen from Lindsay LaBier and roll to the middle, but Adams saw something different as she drifted toward her teammate. She cut hard to the right, switched hands and found enough daylight for her first career overtime goal.

"It was posted on Instagram a few times and there was one really good video that I watched over," Adams said. "I just had to see what my reaction was at the end because I don't remember much of that play, but I just love seeing my whole entire team run at me."

View this post on Instagram

Before the storybook ending came a rocky start.

Adams was held to one point or fewer in five of Ridgewood’s first eight games, weighed down by expectations she admits she created for herself. She’d spent the offseason imagining what her senior year would look like and found it hard to let go of mistakes.

As the season went on, her coaches stepped in – Montegari, Liz Heydt, Jayne Manzelli, Dana Meehan – and helped rebuild her confidence, reminding her they were proud of her regardless of how much she scored.

With that weight lifted, her game opened up. She notched eight hat tricks in the last 13 games, including one in the playoffs against Westfield, the same opponent that beat Ridgewood in last year’s sectional final.

“Almost every single game when I walked onto the field, I thought about Westfield," Adams said. "I told [my teammates] at the beginning of the huddle: if you can't find it in yourself to give your all, find it in each other. And I think everyone found it in each other to give their all.”

Adams delivered in almost every big moment. She scored five goals in this year’s Bergen County championship and six in last year’s county final – both wins. She led Ridgewood this season with 63 goals and tied for the team lead with 72 points, all while fueling the midfield with her pesky defense and unmatched endurance.

“It's her tenacity on ground balls,” Montegari said. “She could just scoop up balls that I didn't know were possible. She just has amazing stick skills.”

Adams started playing lacrosse in first grade, the first challenge being keeping up with her older sister Meaghan in backyard games. Katie chose No. 18 at Ridgewood because her sister wore it.

Now, she is headed to William & Mary, drawn to the coaching staff, the academics, and a campus she first visited on a tour with her older sister. She finished her Ridgewood career with 182 goals, seventh all‑time in one of New Jersey’s most decorated programs.

Not bad for someone who once thought she didn’t make the team.

“Such an amazing experience,” Adams said. “And I'm so grateful to have done it with these groups of girls.”

Katie Adams

Sport: Lacrosse

School: Ridgewood

Class: Senior Age: 18

Accomplishment: Adams led Ridgewood to wins in the sectional and state finals with a combined five goals, one assist and four forced turnovers.

Also nominated: Abby Kiem of DePaul for softball.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen Record Female Athlete of the Week: Katie Adams, Ridgewood

After compiling two of the most prolific careers in state history, Smyrna's Aaliyah Turpin and Padua's Anna Bockius have been named Delaware's most outstanding female track and field athletes.

Turpin and Bockius each received the Bill Thomson Award, the state's top track and field award, at the N5CTA All-State banquet on June 15 and lead the All-State team composed of the event winners at the May 21 Meet of Champions.

The two seniors are the fourth co-winners of the award, which was first disseminated by the state's coaches in 1985.

Turpin is committed to compete at Texas Tech and Bockius is committed to compete at Notre Dame. Turpin was also named girls indoor track and field MVP.

In a season she described as life altering, Turpin accumulated several rare achievements.

Turpin reset Delaware's girls 100 hurdles record, which had been held by Glasgow's Jernail Hayes since 2006. Turpin first surpassed Hayes' 14.13 at a meet in Columbia, South Carolina on April 11. She ran faster in both the prelims and finals of the state meet on May 15-16 at Dover High, ultimately lowering the record to 13.57.

At a postseason meet in Forestville, Maryland, Turpin ran 13.17. It is the second-fastest time in the country this year, considering all conditions, according to Athletic.net.

Smyrna's 4x100 twice ran under the state record of 47.70 set by Tatnall in 2024 and surpassed Delcastle's No. 1 all-time performance of 47.28 from 2010. Angel Marfo, Micahlena Cotton, Krista Byrd and Turpin combined to run 47.21 in winning the Division I race at the state meet.

STATE MEET: In D-I track, state records fall as Smyrna senior dominates; Padua wins

At the Art Madric Hall of Fame Invitational at Caravel on April 18, Turpin ran 11.51 in the 100 dash to surpass the state record of 11.59 set by Middletown's Daija Lampkin in 2017. Moments after winning the 100 hurdles in D-I at the state meet, Turpin doubled back to win the 100. She also won the event at the Meet of Champions.

Her 200 personal best of 23.66 from the Madric meet ranks second all-time behind Lampkin's 23.36.

Turpin is a nine-time individual state champion between Division I outdoors and the single-division indoor state meet and a state record holder in four events between the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Bockius won 31 championship races over the past four years between the indoor and outdoor state meets, the New Castle County championships and the Meet of Champions.

She won every 800, 1,600 and 3,200 race she entered in Delaware over the last two outdoor track and field seasons.

As a senior, Bockius lowered her own 800 state record, running as fast as 2:05.84 at NYC Track Night on New York's Randall's Island on May 1. A week earlier, she placed third in the Penn Relays mile in 4:45.71.

In May, the Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association selected Bockius, a state record holder in seven events across the indoor and outdoor seasons, as the top high school senior female athlete in Delaware.

Bockius was also named the top female cross-country runner in the fall and won the top honor of the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons last year.

Here is the complete All-State girls outdoor track and field team.

All-State girls outdoor track and field team

Paige Ballinger, so., Padua (3,200, 4x400)

Addison Barker, jr., Odessa (4x200)

Anna Bockius, sr., Padua (1,600, 4x400)

Jada Boothe, fr., Tatnall (100 hurdles)

Audrey Burris, fr., Padua (4x800)

Vera Cincilla, so., Padua (4x800)

Micahlena Cotton, so., Smyrna (400)

Devon Craig, so., Dover (200)

Teresina DeAscanis, sr., Padua (4x400)

Mary Drost, sr., Padua (4x800)

Alyse Edouard, fr., Padua (4x100)

Katya Geyer, sr., Sussex Academy (high jump)

Marlise Harris, jr., Archmere (300 hurdles)

Annamay Hendrixson, sr., Padua (high jump)

Audrey Howard, fr., Odessa (4x200)

Amirah Laster, sr., Padua (discus, shot put, 4x100)

Shea Lowman, jr., Padua (4x100, 4x400)

Arianna Montgomery, sr., Tatnall (long jump)

Kaprice Pointer, jr., Dover (triple jump)

Aziza Prince, sr., Tatnall (pole vault)

Malia Thomas, fr., Padua (4x100)

Aaliyah Turpin, sr., Smyrna (100)

Lea Wentworth, fr., Padua (4x800)

Ryleigh White, jr., Odessa (4x200)

Makayla Wilkins, sr., Odessa (4x200)

Krissa Woods, so., Tatnall (800)

Brandon Holveck reports on high school sports for The News Journal. Contact him at bholveck@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Turpin, Bockius win Delaware track and field girls MVP, lead All-State

Emy Wardle is staying in Peoria to continue her basketball career.

The Peoria Notre Dame senior-to-be announced on social media her verbal commitment to play for Bradley University. Wardle had scholarship offers from DePaul, Eastern Kentucky, Northern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Lindenwood, Eastern Illinois, North Alabama and Vermont.

"Staying home ❤️ #committed," she posted on Wednesday, June 17.

Staying home ❤️ #committed@coachchaiahuff@HeartofIllinois@PNDLadyIrishpic.twitter.com/kmnKJtivzD

— emy wardle (@emy_wardle) June 17, 2026

During her junior season, the 5-foot-9 guard averaged 11.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.8 steals for Peoria Notre Dame, which went 21-8 and appeared in a Class 3A regional semifinal. She earned all-Big 12 Conference first team, Journal Star All-Area first team, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state first team and Illinois Media Class 3A second team.

Wardle, who is the youngest daughter of Bradley men's basketball head coach Brian Wardle, will join her older sister, Mya Wardle, on the Hilltop for the 2027-28 season. Bradley went 20-13 overall and 13-7 in Missouri Valley Conference under head coach Kate Popovec-Goss, who left to be the Boston College head coach in March.

From the archives: Sisterly bond something special for Peoria Notre Dame's newest basketball teammates

New head coach Chaia Meier will make her debut in the 2026-27 season.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: NCAA women's basketball: Emy Wardle commits to Bradley in Peoria, Ill.