Preseason Gazette area high school softball Super Ten (April 29, 2024)

With the annual “Midnight Madness” practice at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, the 2024 Iowa high school softball season is underway.

Williamsburg (Class 3A), Iowa City Regina (2A) and North Linn (1A) are reigning state champions.

Competition begins May 20, with the state tournament set for July 22-26 at the Rogers Sports Complex, Fort Dodge.

The following is a Gazette-area preseason Super Ten:

1. Williamsburg

2023 overall record: 36-9

2023 conference record: 18-2 Wamac (1st, West Division)

2023 postseason: Class 3A state champion

Returning starters: 5

2. Western Dubuque

2023 overall record: 29-11

2023 conference record: 16-5 MVC (3rd, Valley Division)

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

Returning starters: 6

3. Sigourney

2023 overall record: 27-5

2023 conference record: 16-0 South Iowa Cedar (1st)

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

Returning starters: 5

4. Benton Community

2023 overall record: 29-15

2023 conference record: 14-6 Wamac (2nd, West Division)

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

Returning starters: 7

5. North Linn

2023 overall record: 39-6

2023 conference record: 24-0 Tri-Rivers (1st, West Division)

2023 postseason: Class 1A state champion

Returning starters: 8

6. Cedar Rapids Xavier

2023 overall record: 28-13

2023 conference record: 13-7 (2nd, Valley Division)

2023 postseason: Class 4A regional semifinalist

Returning starters: 9

7. Iowa City Liberty

2023 overall record: 23-14

2023 conference record: 12-8 (T-3rd, Mississippi Division)

2023 postseason: Class 5A regional finalist

Returning starters: 8

8. Alburnett

2023 overall record: 25-12

2023 conference record: 20-4 Tri-Rivers (2nd, West Division)

2023 postseason: Class 2A regional semifinalist

Returning starters: 9

9. Iowa City Regina

2023 overall record: 30-8

2023 conference record: 14-4 River Valley South (T-1st)

2023 postseason: Class 2A state champion

Returning starters: 6

10. Mount Vernon

2023 overall record: 27-11

2023 conference record: 16-4 Wamac (1st, East Division)

2023 postseason: Class 3A regional finalist

Returning starters: 6

Area class rankings

Class 5A: 1. Iowa City Liberty (23-14), 2. Cedar Rapids Jefferson (21-17), 3. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (19-20), 4. Cedar Rapids Prairie (22-19), 5. Linn-Mar (24-12).

Class 4A: 1. Western Dubuque (29-11), 2. Cedar Rapids Xavier (28-13), 3. Maquoketa (26-10), 4. Clear Creek Amana (19-17), 5. Marion (15-21).

Class 3A: 1. Williamsburg (36-9), 2. Benton Community (29-15), 3. Mount Vernon (27-11), 4. West Liberty (20-12), 5. Washington (24-13).

Class 2A: 1. Alburnett (25-12), 2. Iowa City Regina (30-8), 3. Cascade (27-10), 4. Jesup (23-11), 5. Lisbon (35-8).

Class 1A: 1. Sigourney (27-5), 2. North Linn (39-6), 3. Edgewood-Colesburg (27-15), 4. Central City (30-12), 5. English Valleys (16-7).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com