Meet the 2022 Gazette Female Athlete of the Year finalists

Today, The Gazette reveals its 2022 finalists for Athlete of the Year.

The awards were inspired by the longtime sportswriting career of the late Jack Ogden. This year’s group represents the 40th class in the award’s history, which began in 1983.

Meet the female finalists below. Here are the male finalists.

Last year’s winners were Aurora Roghair and Marcus Morgan, both of Iowa City West.

The winners will be announced in next Sunday’s Gazette.

Maia Bentley, Mount Vernon

A two-time first-team all-state soccer player, she netted 44 goals and 26 assists as a senior. Finished her three-year varsity career with 122 goals and 68 assists. Likely to be a two-time first-team all-state pick in softball, as well. The Mustangs entered the final week of the regular season as the top-ranked team in Class 3A. As a junior, she batted .504 with nine home runs and 49 runs scored for the 3A state runner-up squad. Will play soccer at Drake University.

Audrey Biermann, Western Dubuque

Won eight Class 3A state championships in her final two seasons in track and field. Won the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races and anchored the Bobcats’ victorious sprint medley relay in both 2021 and 2022. The 3A state-meet record holder in the 200, 400 and sprint medley. Starting outfielder and all-tournament selection for the Bobcats’ 2021 Class 4A state-championship softball squad. A three-year letterwinner and two-time state qualifier in cross country. Will run track and field at the University of Iowa.

Macy Daufeldt, West Liberty

The 2021 state co-player of the year in volleyball after leading the Comets to a runner-up state finish in Class 3A. Concluded her career with 1,811 kills (639 as a senior) and 1,082 digs. The 2A state long jump champion as a freshman, she was second as a senior, plus third in the shuttle hurdle relay and fifth in the 100-meter hurdles. A two-time first-team all-state pick in basketball, she finished her career with 1,192 points, 633 rebounds and 210 steals. Averaged 18.8 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior. All-River Valley Conference divisional softball player as a sophomore on the Comets’ state-tournament squad. Will play volleyball at Drake University.

Ryley Goebel, Center Point-Urbana

Earned first-team all-state honors in basketball three times, compiling 1,448 points, 658 rebounds and 319 steals in her career. Played on three state-tournament teams and was a prominent member of CPU’s 3A state-championship team in 2019. Also played on CPU’s state-semifinal soccer team in 2019 and was a member of two state-qualifying teams in cross country. In track and field, she was a member of a Drake Relays 400-meter relay unit and was a 5-foot high-jumper. Will play basketball at the University of Northern Iowa.

Hannah Stuelke, Cedar Rapids Washington

Selected as Miss Iowa Basketball 2022. School records include points in a game (43) and career (1,793), and career rebounds (853). Averaged 29.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game as a senior, and both of those figures are Washington records, as well. A four-time all-area player. Warriors were 55-28 in her four years. Advanced to state in the discus twice and was second-team all-Metro twice in volleyball. Will play basketball at the University of Iowa.