The start of the 2026 high school softball is just over a week away, and preseason expectations are for most of last year’s defending state champs to pick up where they left off.
Four of the five state champs from a year ago will open this season ranked first in the annual Deseret News preseason coaches rankings.
Riverton (6A), Bear River (4A), Grantsville (3A) and South Sevier (2A) are the four champs who begin the year with sky-high expectations. The preseason favorite in 5A is Box Elder, a final four team loaded with returning starters.
Last year’s 5A state champ West Jordan checks in at No. 4 in the coaches preseason rankings.
Class 1A will have its own state tournament this year, and Altamont gets the early nod the state’s smallest classification.
In 6A, Riverton has won four of the past five state championships — including the past two — so its no surprise the ‘Wolves are the favorites again this year.
“We graduated a phenomenal senior class and appreciate the legacy our past players have left. Our roster is still incredibly stacked, and our kids have continued to grind,” said Riverton coach Whitney Haimin.
Headlining the list of returns for Riverton is reigning 6A Player of the Year Peyson Sanchez, Ute commit first baseman Maggie Hamblin and last year’s fantastic freshman Grace Leary.
Riverton’s toughest competition will again come from within its own region as the top four teams in the 6A rankings are all Region 2 teams.
In 5A, Box Elder coach Brian Merrill said he hopes back-to-back final four appearances for the Bees will help the program take the next step in 2026.
Box Elder returns a pair of first team all-staters from last year Kailee Hall and Kennadie Blackmer.
The voting in 5A was very tight, with Salem Hills narrowly behind Box Elder, followed by Spanish Fork and West Jordan.
A year ago, Bear River and Desert Hills battled in a fantastic 4A state championship series, with Bear River prevailing in three games. Both teams return their ace pitcher — Bear River’s Kate Wilson and Desert Hill’s Lulu West — so it’s no surprise they got the preseason love from the rest of 4A’s coaches.
“We’re excited for season to get underway and can’t wait to see how our girls compete. Their hard work and commitment in the offseason have been fun to watch. We’ve got upper classmen and younger classmen who are ready to lead,” said Bear River coach Jordan Theurer.
Brielle Gardiner, who was named the Deseret News Ms. Softball award as a freshman at Ridgeline in 2024, transferred to Bear River and the junior adds a huge bat to the line-up and another power arm to the pitching staff.
In 3A, Grantsville is loaded with talented as it looks to make a run at a fourth straight state championship. The Cowboys are led by returning 3A Player of the Year Hayden Bytheway along with fellow first team all-staters Payten Bytheway and Kira Hart.
“While the program has enjoyed significant success, the team remains focused on improvement, having dedicated the offseason to an expanded summer schedule and increased weight room training,” said Grantsville coach Tony Cloward.
North Sanpete, Morgan, Union and Emery round out the preseason top five in 3A.
In 2A, fresh off its first state championship since 2004, South Sevier will be the heavy favorite to repeat with a roster loaded with returning starters. The Rams only had two years and one junior on last year’s squad.
South Sevier went 30-1 last year, and it returns first team all-staters Kloe Donohue, Navey Lindsay and Kinsey Parsons this season.
“There’s a solid mix of returning players and new faces, and we’re excited to see how the group develops as the season progresses. We’re ready to get on the field and get to work,” said South Sevier coach Elle Woolsey.
Last year’s 2A runner-up Beaver opens 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 Piute. Altamont was the highest-placing 1A team in last year’s 2A tournament.
Deseret News preseason coaches rankings
Class 6A
Team (2025 record)
- Riverton (31-5)
- Herriman (18-12)
- Bingham (21-9)
- Mountain Ridge (24-6)
- Lehi (24-10)
Class 5A
Team (2025 record)
- Box Elder (28-5)
- Salem Hills (27-6)
- Spanish Fork (16-14)
- West Jordan (24-4)
- Maple Mountain (21-10)
Class 4A
Team (2025 record)
- Bear River (33-3)
- Desert Hills (32-4)
- Ridgeline (21-15)
- Crimson Cliffs (15-12)
- Uintah (17-9)
Class 3A
Team (2025 record)
- Grantsville (25-8)
- North Sanpete (17-13)
- Morgan (18-8)
- Union (18-12)
- Emery (21-14)
Class 2A
Team (2025 record)
- South Sevier (30-1)
- Beaver (25-10)
- Duchesne (24-9)
- Enterprise (21-12)
- South Summit (20-13)
Class 1A
Team (2025 record)
- Altamont (21-9)
- Milford (19-11)
- Panguitch (14-9)
- Wayne (10-12)
- Piute (8-14)