Softball Recruiting - Class of 2026

[flyingMoose]

Certainly not trying to stir things up, and I would imagine the answer is obvious as to “why”, but for those who follow the softball team closer than me over the years, when was the last time the Shocks recruited and had someone local (Wichita area, ... I assume the answer is that the talent must not be D1 enough locally. Is that right? Just curious.

There is certainly some D1 talent in the area, ...

I would note the recruiting local talent and signing local talent are to totally different questions. I think the talent pool in Kansas generally is relatively shallow for all sports, not just softball.

So, the flip side of this question is how many players left the area to play elsewhere. I don't know the answer to that question.

Ryleigh Buck was mentioned above. Wylie Glover was at Marshall her first year before coming to WSU. After that, ...?


As a side note, Erin Carney was plenty good. A serious leg? injury hampered her career.

[flyingMoose]

So, the flip side of this question is how many players left the area to play elsewhere. I don't know the answer to that question.

Ryleigh Buck was mentioned above. Wylie Glover was at Marshall her first year before coming to WSU. After that, ...

Emily Griggs (Maize) went to LSU.

Kelsey Stewart (Ark City, Maize for her senior year) went to Florida.

Both of those programs are perennial NCAA Tournament participants. Kelsey was part of the USWNT for a short time.

[SubGod22]

Emily Griggs (Maize) went to LSU.

Kelsey Stewart (Ark City, Maize for her senior year) went to Florida.

Both of those programs are perennial NCAA Tournament participants. Kelsey was part of the USWNT for a short time.

There was also Julia Cottrill from Andover Central that went to Florida and then transferred to Oklahoma State where her father was an assistant coach. She also played in the AUX league here in Wichita this summer along with Kelsey Stewart.

[shoxlax]

If they moved HS softball to the fall and increased allowed number of games played in Kansas it would give players more time to play on club teams starting in Spring with players from other states and give them more game speed action in the Fall by extending the season an extra month. The Volleyball/Softball conflict is a lame argument in today’s world.

[flyingMoose]

There was also Julia Cottrill from Andover Central ...

Perhaps. She learned softball in the Wichita area. She had one year at Andover Central, and then on to Stillwater for her last three years of HS ball, her "recruited" years. SEC bound again.

[SubGod22]

[Shockm]

If they moved HS softball to the fall and increased allowed number of games played in Kansas it would give players more time to play on club teams starting in Spring with players from other states and give them more game speed action in the Fall by extending the season an extra month. The Volleyball/Softball conflict is a lame argument in today’s world.

I'm willing to hear where I'm wrong. The current world of athletics may be so much more specialized (where everyone plays one sport year round) than in the past, that I'm out of touch. However, maybe girls (boys too) just don't get to have "fun" playing anymore, because they all are thinking about making it as a pro, In the not too distant past, I knew quite a few girls who enjoyed playing both sports. But I'm willing to listen that times change, even if it's not for the betterment of development for youth sports. With the shortage of referees, and possibly unreasonable parents, and increased traveling teams which takes away from local team development, maybe youth character development (which fun is a part of) is a past goal. Future success may be all there is to athletics to a number of parents and youth.

[1972Shocker]

Sara Wiggins is a 5-8 RHP, OF, IB out of Montgomery, TX a town of about 2,000 on the west side of Lake Conroe just a bit up the road from Margaritaville Lake Resort just north of Houston. Sounds laid back. Sara is a club teammate of Shocker Class of 26 commit Ariel Arambula on Hotshots National 08 Galloway team.

Recruiting Profile and Highlights: https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/sara_wiggins (Note most of these videos are 2 years old or older. So still pretty young.)

From this past summer:

[WuDrWu]

Man....Lake Conroe is a very, very nice area. Great golfing too. That would be a tough place to leave, even for college.

[SubGod22]

[WuDrWu]

Tops out at 63 as a junior. Probably has some upside there, which could be nice.

[1972Shocker]

Carterville star Taryn Ford named MaxPreps Illinois Player of the Year

Sophomore Taryn Ford played a massive role in the Carterville Lions’ 2A Softball State Title this year, filling whatever role was needed from her. Whether it was holding down the mound from the start of the game, coming in to slam the door shut as a closer, or stepping up to the plate and driving in the game-winning run, Ford was up to the challenge. Those qualities are what led MaxPreps to name Ford their Illinois Player of the Year on Tuesday.

Here is what MaxPreps had to say about Ford:

“Ford and teammate Caidence Phillips were two of the most dominant pitchers in the state. Ford was sensational during a 1-0 victory over North Boone in the state championship game, striking out 16 in six innings of work and hitting the walk-off base hit to win it all in the bottom of the seventh inning.”

The Lions finished the year ranked the #13 softball team in the nation according to MaxPreps and the top team in Illinois. They were 38-1, finishing the season on a 38-game win streak.

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Carterville has around 630 students and is a 2A school. Illinois has 4 classes in softball. (4A, 3A, 2A and 1A).

In addition to an official visit to Wichita State, Taryn also took visits to Illinois State, Southern Illinois, Kansas City and Michigan State.

[1972Shocker]

Tops out at 63 as a junior. Probably has some upside there, which could be nice.

Taryn is only 5-4 so it remains to be seen how much additional velocity she can coax out of that frame. Apparently, has a good rise ball.

Here is an example of her rise ball from her travel team: