The 2026 softball season could be a memorable one on the north side.
It will be the final campaign for three seniors who are arguably among the best players in Ankeny Centennial history. Infielder Jordyn Kennedy has started since she was an eighth grader, outfielder Mady Ott became a starter as a freshman, and dual-threat player Kori Lincicum joined the lineup as a sophomore.
Kennedy and Ott were stars on the 2023 Centennial team that captured the Class 5A state title. Lincicum played a key role last year as the Jaguars earned a third-place trophy in Class 5A.
That trio, though, is just part of a deep and talented roster.
“We are very fortunate to have nine seniors and eight juniors along with a very talented sophomore class pushing each other every single day to be the best group we can be,” said Centennial coach Brett Delaney, whose team is second in the Class 5A preseason rankings from the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union. “These girls have grown up playing together against the best in Iowa and across the U.S. They all bring their unique leadership characteristics.”
Kennedy, a Minnesota recruit, has helped Centennial to a 124-38 record over the last four seasons. She nearly won the Class 5A Triple Crown as a junior, leading all large-school players with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs while finishing second in batting average with a .547 mark.
Kennedy will attempt to earn all-state honors for the fifth time. She has been a first-team pick in each of the last three years after earning third-team honors in 2022.
Kennedy is also a three-time first-team selection in the CIML Conference. She has twice been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team along with Ott.
Ott will again provide some protection for Kennedy in the Jaguars’ lineup. She batted .417 with 14 homers and 57 RBIs last season, when she placed third in Class 5A in RBIs and tied for sixth in home runs.
Ott, who had a team-high 12 stolen bases, was a repeat pick to the Class 5A first team and to the all-conference first team. She also joined Kennedy as a repeat selection to the Class 5A West all-district team.
Lincicum batted .429 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs while also going 9-4 with a 2.72 ERA in the pitcher’s circle. She went 4-for-4 in the Jaguars’ 10-2 win over Cedar Falls in the Class 5A consolation final.
Lincicum was a Class 5A third-team pick and was named to the Central Conference first team at a utility position. She will join Ott at Drake next year.
Centennial also boasts four other returning all-conference players. They are senior Ava Faber, juniors Lauren Bartine and Cami Starr, and sophomore Peyten Spiegel.
Spiegel helped the Jaguars to a 34-10 record as a freshman, when she became a key part of the pitching staff. She went 11-2 with a 3.62 ERA.
Spiegel was named to the all-conference third team along with Starr and Faber, who was selected to a utility position. Starr and Faber are both infielders.
Faber batted .336 with two homers, eight doubles and 24 RBIs. She will play for DMACC.
Starr batted .368 with five doubles and 18 RBIs. She has also committed to Drake.
Bartine, who was used primarily as a designated player, earned all-conference honorable mention after batting .281 with two homers, nine doubles and 34 RBIs. She is headed to Iowa Central Community College.
Senior first baseman Delaney Wyble is also back after starting all 44 games in 2025. The Wartburg College recruit batted .162 with eight RBIs while playing primarily on defense.
Sophomore outfielder Gracie Anderson and senior pitcher Ashley Sterling are among the team’s other returnees.
Anderson played in 31 games and started 17 times last year. She batted .393 with three RBIs.
Sterling made five appearances and compiled a 1.40 ERA as a junior. She has committed to Augustana.
“The weather has been amazing, and the practices have been great,” Delaney said. “We had a great offseason in the weight room and our open field opportunities. That momentum has carried over to the first two weeks of the season. We have nine very talented seniors, and their leadership has been in full display this first week. I’m very proud of them.”
One of those seniors is Mylie Hatfield, who has joined the squad after previously focusing on club ball. The South Dakota State recruit could see some action on the mound.
The Jaguars have also been strengthened by the addition of juniors Audrey and Lauren Sandholm. Audrey, an outfielder and a Missouri State commit, is playing school ball for the first time.
Lauren, a pitcher, has returned to the Jaguars after playing club ball as a sophomore. The Mississippi State recruit is a two-time all-state pick who went 14-7 with a 1.58 ERA while racking up 150 strikeouts in 2024.
“The work our pitchers and catchers put in this offseason was amazing,” Delaney said. “We have seen that on display these first few weeks of the season challenging some of the best hitters in the state. I am confident in our pitching staff this season and excited for them to show off all their hard work.”
Centennial will open the season on Wednesday by hosting a non-conference game against Norwalk, the No. 7 team in Class 4A.