Iowa high school softball 2024: Gazette-area teams to watch

Eight Gazette-area teams to watch for the 2024 Iowa high school softball season:

Alburnett

Coach: Brenden Drahn (2nd year, 25-12)

2023 record: 25-12 overall, 20-4 Tri-Rivers (2nd, West Division)

2023 postseason: Class 2A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (7): P Ingrid Landa (soph.), C Savannah Caves (sr.), 1B Isabelle Graubard (sr.), 2B Lonna Wickman (sr.), 3B Peyton Scott (sr.), SS Gralynn Martin (sr.), LF Ally Olmstead (sr.)

Benton Community

Coach: Jordon Rettenmeier (3rd year at Benton, 54-31; 5th year overall, 83-70)

2023 record: 29-15 overall, 14-6 Wamac (2nd, West Division)

2023 postseason: Class 3A state tournament T-5th place

Returning starters (7): P Jessa DeMoss (sr.), C Ana Glawe (jr.), INF Emma Townsley (sr.), INF Hannah Greiner (jr.), OF Jaida Lyons (sr.), UT Calista Nolte (soph.), UT Layna DeMoss (fr.)

Cedar Rapids Xavier

Coach: Nikki Gahring (12th year, 263-168)

2023 record: 28-13 overall, 13-7 MVC (2nd, Valley Division)

2023 postseason: Class 4A regional finalist

Returning starters (8): P Braylen Conlon (jr.), C/3B Katie Pilcher (jr.), C Claire Walter (soph.), 1B Taylor Kadolph (jr.), SS Carley Jonker (jr.), LF Elena Schmit (sr.), CF Alaina Luerkens (jr.), RF Jaselle Lang (soph.)

Iowa City Regina

Coach: Angela Kessler (4th year, 74-32)

2023 record: 30-8 overall, 14-4 River Valley South (T-1st)

2023 postseason: Class 2A state champion

Returning starters (6): 2B Alli Clark (sr.), 3B Laci Chambliss (jr.), SS Gabby Sueppel (sr.), LF Morgan Gahan (sr.), RF Avery Kies (sr.), DH Kennedy Conner (jr.)

North Linn

Coach: Chad Spore (4th year, 114-22)

2023 record: 39-6 overall, 24-0 Tri-Rivers (1st, West Division)

2023 postseason: Class 1A state champion

Returning starters (8): P Kylie Munson (jr.), C Jersey Peyton (sr.), DH Harley Henderson (soph.), 2B Mackenzie Bridgewater (jr.), SS Skylar Benesh (sr.), OF Peyton McMahon (soph.), OF Ava Hoover (fr.), OF Lily Rehberg (fr.)

Sigourney

Coach: Shelley Streigle (17th year at Sigourney, 323-145; 19th year overall)

2023 record: 27-5 overall, 16-0 South Iowa Cedar (1st)

2023 postseason: Class 1A state tournament (T-5th)

Returning starters (7): P Carly Goodwin (sr.), C Josephine Moore (jr.), 1B Erin Dawson (sr.), 2B Ava Fisch (jr.), SS Kenzi VanDenHeuvel (soph.), LF Ava Fineran (sr.), OF Amiya Smallwood (sr.)

Western Dubuque

Coach: Rex Massey (4th year, 86-35)

2023 record: 29-11 overall, 16-5 MVC (3rd, Valley Division)

2023 postseason: Class 4A state tournament, T-7th place

Returning starters (6): P Kiya Steger (sr.), C Kaitlyn Thole (jr.), SS Carson Koerperich (sr.), CF Hannah Hoefer (jr.), RF Hailey Wulfekuhle (sr.), UT Morgan Hosch (jr.)

Williamsburg

Coach: Adam Berte (8th year, 203-83)

2023 record: 36-9 overall, 18-2 Wamac (1st, West Division)

2023 postseason: Class 3A state champion

Returning starters (7): 3B Makenna Hughes (jr.), SS Carly Rich (jr.), LF Alley Gorsh (jr.), CF Shannon Finn (sr.), RF Baylie Von Ahsen (sr.), 1B Taylor Pitlick (jr.), P Jersey Metz (soph.)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com