With just over a week until the start of high school softball competition in 2026, the preseason expects most of last year’s defending state champions to pick up where they left off last time.
Four of the five state champions from a year ago will start the season ranked No. 1 in the Deseret News’ annual preseason coaches rankings.
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Riverton (6A), Bear River (4A), Grantsville (3A) and South Sevier (2A) were the four champions who started the year with high hopes. The 5A preseason favorite is Box Elder, a Final Four team with many returning starters.
Last year’s 5A state champion West Jordan was ranked No. 4 in the preseason coaches rankings.
Class 1A will host its own state tournament this year, with Altamont earning early recognition in the state’s smallest division.
In 6A, Riverton has won four of the past five state titles (including the past two), so it’s no surprise that the Wolves are the favorite again this year.
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“We graduate an outstanding senior class and appreciate the legacy of our past players. Our roster continues to be incredible and our kids continue to work hard,” Riverton coach Whitney Hemming said.
Riverton’s returning roster is headlined by reigning 6A Player of the Year Peyson Sanchez, Ute first baseman Maggie Hamblin and last year’s standout freshman Grace Leary.
Riverton’s toughest competition will once again come from its own region, as the top four teams in the 6A standings are all District 2 teams.
In 5A play, Box Elder coach Brian Merrill said he hopes the Bees’ four-game streak will help the program take the next step in 2026.
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Box Elder returns Kailee Hall and Kennadie Blackmer, both first-team All-Stars last year.
The 5A vote was tight, with Salem Hills narrowly trailing Box Elder, followed by Spanish Fork and West Jordan.
A year ago, Bear River and Desert Hills played in a great 4A state championship series, with Bear River winning in three games. Both teams return their ace pitchers – Bear River’s Kate Wilson and Desert Hills’ Lulu West – so it’s no surprise they were well-liked by other 4A coaches in the preseason.
“We are excited for the season to start and can’t wait to see how our girls compete. Their hard work and dedication in the offseason has been fun to watch. We have seniors and underclassmen who are ready to lead,” Bear River coach Jordan Terrell said.
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Brielle Gardiner was awarded the Deseret News Ms. Softball Award as a freshman at Ridgeline in 2024. She transferred to Bear River University where the junior added a huge bat to the lineup and another power arm to the pitching staff.
Salem Hills players celebrate after defeating Box Elder in the semifinals of the 5A girls softball tournament on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Valley Complex in Taylorsville. Laura Seitz, Deseret News
In 3A, Grantsville is loaded with talent and could win its fourth consecutive state championship. The Cowboys are led by returning 3A Player of the Year Hayden Bytheway and first-team All-Stars Payten Bytheway and Kira Hart.
“While the program has had great success, the team remains focused on improvement, expanding its summer schedule and adding weight room workouts during the offseason,” Grantsville coach Tony Cloward said.
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North Sanpete, Morgan, Union and Emery round out the top five in the 3A preseason.
In 2A play, South Sevier is coming off its first state championship since 2004 and will be a rematch favorite with a host of returning starters. The Rams had just two juniors and one junior on last year’s roster.
South Sevier went 30-1 last year and has Chlo Donohue, Navi Lindsay and Kinsey Parsons returning to the first team this season.
“The lineup is very solid with returning players and new faces, and we’re excited to see how the team develops as the season progresses. We’re ready to go out there and get to work,” South Sevier coach Elle Woolsey said.
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Beaver, last year’s 2A runner-up, started the year ranked second in 2A, followed by Duchesne and Enterprise.
In the new 1A classification, the preseason top five teams are Altamont, Milford, Panguitch, Wayne and Pitt. Altamont was the highest-ranked 1A team in last year’s 2A tournament.
Deseret News Preseason Coaches Rankings
Class 6A
Team (2025 record)
Class 5A
Team (2025 record)
Class 4A
Team (2025 record)
Class 3A
Team (2025 record)
Class 2A
Team (2025 record)
Class 1A
Team (2025 record)
