Ankeny Centennial junior Gracie Anderson has verbally committed to play softball at the University of South Dakota.
Anderson, an outfielder, announced her decision via social media on Monday night.
“I am beyond excited and blessed to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of South Dakota,” Anderson tweeted. “Most importantly, thank you to my family for every sacrifice you have made to help reach my goals. A huge thank you to my dad for the countless hours in the cage and always being there for me. To every coach and teammate who has been part of my journey, thank you for pushing me to be my best and helping shape the person I am today. I am extremely grateful for the support, guidance, and encouragement throughout the years.”
Anderson helped the Jaguars to a 41-4 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A as a sophomore, when she played in 37 games and made 22 starts. She batted .338 with one home run, two doubles and 16 RBIs.
As a freshman, Anderson batted .393 in 56 at-bats. Centennial went 34-10 and earned a third-place finish in Class 5A.
South Dakota is a Division I program and a member of the Summit League. The Coyotes posted a 21-36-1 record in 2026.
Former Ankeny standout Aubrey Lensmeyer is a sophomore pitcher for USD. She appeared in 21 games last season, going 2-1 with a 5.77 ERA.
“A special thank you to (head coach Shannon Pivovar, assistant Tyler Fuller and graduate assistant Lexi Baumgartner) for seeing my potential, believing in me, and giving me the opportunity to be part of the program,” Anderson tweeted. “I am beyond grateful to be a part of the family. Go Yotes!”