No surprise: Benton opens at No. 1 in Super Ten

In honor of the first week of softball practice, here's a preseason area Super Ten (with 2015 record and postseason finish):

Softball Super 10

1

Benton Community

42-4, Class 3A state runner-upThis part of the top 10 is easy. The Bobcats return everybody, including Division-I signees Alyssa Wiebel (Illinois State) and Amber Fiser (Minnesota). Wiebel led the state in home runs last year, with 21. After falling short in the 3A finals last year to Solon, motivation figures to match the talent level.

2

Iowa City West

34-6, Class 5A regional finalist

It's a chore to distinguish the top four big-school teams in the area, but give West a slight edge. Women of Troy were the best team in the MVC last year, then it ended unexpectedly in the regional final against Ankeny. First-team all-staters Adara Opiola and Taleah Smith lead what should be a prolific attack.

3

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

28-13, Class 5A regional semifinalist

This is a program with momentum, and ready to explode. The Cougars possess a pair of Division-I prospects in senior Tianna Drahn (UNI) and junior Ashley Hamilton (Iowa), and the soon-to-be-unveiling of hard-throwing eighth-grader Kaylin Kinney only adds to the buzz.

4

Solon

42-3, Class 3A state champion

The Spartans' losses to graduation weren't high in numbers, but significant in terms of quality. Gone are Emily Ira, Taylor Nearad and Ali Herdliska. But a solid core returns, led by Wisconsin signee Sydney Lawson, and the transfer of Bryn Hanrahan from Iowa City High will aid the transition. You know a Jim White-coached team will concede nothing.

5

Cedar Rapids Prairie

27-12, Class 5A regional finalist

Seven starters are back, including third-team all-stater Natalie Halvorson. Lineup will be based more on speed than on muscle, more on a balanced lineup than star power. Opening week is a challenge to say the least — one game against Benton, then twinbills against Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Iowa City West.

6

Mount Vernon

31-10, Class 3A state 5th place

After an 0-5 start, the Mustangs made a quick turnaround and made the state tournament last year to end a four-year drought. Both pitchers (Lily Dahlstrom and Marissa Roe) are back, as is four-sport standout Libby Ryan. Coach Robin Brand needs four wins to reach 100.

7

Cedar Rapids Jefferson

36-9, Class 5A state 4th place

It will be hard to envision the J-Hawks without Alyssa Olson and Maddie Hansen, who have moved on after stellar careers on the west side. The cupboard is far from bare (particularly on the infield) with veterans like Kennedy Dighton, Erin Kuba and Avery Guy.

8

Iowa City Regina

26-14, Class 2A state champion

This seems like as good an opportunity as any for the Regals to break their odd/even pattern (they qualified in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015) and make it successive trips to Fort Dodge. Shortstop Kennedy Brown supplies the big bat, and Sarah Lehman allowed just two runs at state in last year's title run.

9

Center Point-Urbana

30-15, Class 3A state 4th place

Alexis Ferguson takes over for the retired John Olachnovitch, and her first challenge is to install a new battery, with Samantha Croghan and Elizabeth Hearn graduated. They'll also miss sophomore slugger Maddie Karr (16 HR, 55 RBI), sidelined with a torn ACL. But the rest of the roster is back.

10

Cascade

24-11, Class 2A state runner-up

A strong River Valley Conference strengthened the Cougars last year, who responded with a magical postseason run. Eight starters are back, including pitchers Lynsey Dolphin and Laura Kremer and the entire infield, so the Cougars won't be sneaking up on anyone.

Area rankings, by class:

Class 5A — 1. Iowa City West (34-6), 2. C.R. Kennedy (28-13), 3. C.R. Prairie (27-12), 4. C.R. Jefferson (36-9), 5. Linn-Mar (25-20).

Class 4A — 1. Marion (22-14), 2. C.R. Xavier (24-15), 3. West Delaware (25-15), 4. Clear Creek Amana (22-17), 5. Maquoketa (19-17).

Class 3A — 1. Benton Community (42-4), 2. Solon (42-3), 3. Mount Vernon (31-10), 4. Center Point-Urbana (30-15), 5. West Liberty (21-11).

Class 2A — 1. Iowa City Regina (26-14), 2. Cascade (24-11), 3. Jesup (18-10), 4. Maquoketa Valley (19-17), 5. Highland (23-6).

Class 1A — 1. Lansing Kee (29-10), 2. Central City (27-10), 3. Alburnett (20-19), 4. Belle Plaine (18-14), 5. BGM (15-12).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com