The 2025-26 school year was another successful season in high school athletics for Southwestern Indiana.
A handful of individuals and teams won state championships, plus several more finished runner-up. The number of talented athletes in the area would be too many list. This is where you come in. Who has your vote for the Courier & Press female high school athlete of the year, presented by Orthopaedic Associates?
Below are the nominees with brief info on their athletic accomplishments this school year. You can vote as often as you’d like until 12 p.m. CT on Friday, June 26. This will be updated with a story on the winner.
Courier & Press Female High School Athlete of the Year
Grace Archer, Vincennes Lincoln: The senior batted .403 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs for the SIAC champions. First Team All-SIAC and All-State. Also a starter on the basketball team.
Kenlee Barnard, North: The senior was third on the team in kills (245), first in aces (43), third in total blocks (51), second in digs (332) and first in assists (586) for the Huskies. First Team All-SIAC. All-Metro Player of the Year.
Emma Bruggenschmidt, Castle: The senior batted a team-best .547 with five home runs, 14 doubles, 23 RBIs and 43 runs for the regional champions. Indiana Miss Softball finalist. First Team All-SIAC and All-State. SIAC Player of the Year. Missed most of volleyball season with a hip injury.
Shay Hawk, Washington: A two-sport standout for the Hatchets. Averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals for the regional champions in basketball. First Team All-PAC and All-State honorable mention. Had a team-high 460 digs and 65 aces, plus 149 kills, in volleyball. All-PAC honorable mention.
Kendal Hill, South Knox: The junior averaged 19.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.3 steals for the Blue Chip champions. Moved into second on the program career scoring history with over 1,000 points. Indiana Junior All-Star.
Addison Jones, Barr-Reeve: The senior had 353 kills, 62 blocks and 390 digs for the state champion in volleyball. First Team All-State. Also batted .346 with 25 RBIs as the starting shortstop for the state champion in softball. IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winner in both sports.
De’Janay Layne, North: The senior won her second state championship in the 200-meter dash (24.30 seconds) and finished second in the 100 (12.12). Won the City, SIAC, sectional and regional titles in both events. SIAC girls track Athlete of the Year.
Emily Parker, Boonville: The senior was a two-sport standout for the Pioneers. Averaged 26.7 points and finished second in school history with 1,843 career points. First Team All-PAC and All-State honorable mention. Also a Second Team All-State shortstop in softball.
Audrey Seiler, Tecumseh: The sophomore was dominant with a 19-2 record, 0.65 ERA and 256 strikeouts in 127 innings for the state champion. First Team All-PAC and All-State.
Paige Schnaus, Gibson Southern: The junior averaged 20.9 points and 9.0 rebounds for the PAC champion in basketball. First Team All-PAC. IBCA Underclass Supreme 15. Indiana Junior All-Star. All-SW Indiana Player of the Year. Also a state qualifier in the high jump.
Maddy Shirley, Central: The senior averaged 23.5 points on 52% shooting with 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 blocks for the sectional champion. First Team All-SIAC and IBCA Senior Supreme 15. SIAC and All-Metro Player of the Year. One of two in Evansville history with 2,000 career points.
Adaysha Smiley, Jasper: The senior won her second straight IHSAA individual doubles state championship, this year with sophomore Stella Knies, with a two-set victory over Carmel. First Team All-SIAC.
Emma Teague, Memorial: The senior goalkeeper finished with a 0.71 goals against average and secured nine saves per match. She had 12 shutouts in 19 matches for the sectional champion. First Team All-SIAC and All-State. SIAC and All-Metro Player of the Year.
Morgan Wannemuehler, Mater Dei: The senior had 32 goals and six assists for the sectional champion. First Team All-SIAC and All-State. SIAC and All-Metro Player of the Year.
Mallory Watt, Princeton: The senior was the individual sectional champion and finished 14th at the state championship in cross county. Sectional winner in the 800/1,600, regional champion in the 1,600 and finished 21st at the state finals in the 1,600 in track.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Vote for Courier & Press Female High School Athlete of the Year, presented by Orthopaedic Associates
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland and Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kyle Sokeland and Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press | USA TODAY Network
