​As the 2025-26 academic year closes, the standout achievements of several student-athletes continue to shine. For some, it was a continuation of a dominant high school run; for others, it marks the moment they begin to make their mark. Now, readers are invited to vote for the Record Searchlight’s 2026 Girls Athlete of the Year. The field has been narrowed to 12 finalists, each of whom competed in at least two sports during the recently completed year. A combination of individual statistics, honors, and team success helped shape the list of finalists. Read about what each nominee accomplished in the 2025-26 year and cast your vote. The voting period allows one vote per person per hour and will stay open through Thursday, June 16. Cast your vote here.
Nominees
Joleen Short, Jr, Central Valley
Joleen Short emerged as a three-sport standout for the Central Valley Falcons, excelling across volleyball, basketball, and softball. She earned All-NAL honorable mention in volleyball and basketball and was an All-NAL selection in softball. In softball during 2026, Short posted a 2.94 ERA with 175 strikeouts in 119 innings. She threw three hitless outings of at least three innings, including a complete-game no-hitter against Oroville in March. Offensively, she slashed an impressive .577/.639/.915 with 41 total hits and 25 RBIs. She finished her junior year with more than 500 career strikeouts. For coverage: “Central Valley’s Joleen Short tosses no-hitter, continues hot season.”
Aubrey Caudell, Sr, U-Prep
Aubrey Caudell earned All-NAL honors in both basketball and softball during her senior year with the Panthers. A key defender, scorer, and playmaker, Caudell helped lead U-Prep to a section championship appearance. In softball, she led the Panthers in batting average (.393) and hits (33) and contributed to the team’s advancement to the NSCIF Division IV title game.
Kelsey Morton, So, West Valley
After just her sophomore year, Kelsey Morton established herself as one of the North State’s top all-around athletes. She showcased versatility across fall volleyball, winter basketball, and spring track and field. Morton led the Eagles in kills, blocks, and hitting percentage in volleyball and earned All-NAL and All-Section honors. In basketball, she was a dominant frontcourt presence, earning an All-NAL selection and helping West Valley win a sectional title. In the spring, Morton captured an NSCIF title in shot put and placed seventh at the CIF state track and field championships, becoming the only North State athlete to place at the event in 2026.
Cadynce Gippner, Sr, West Valley
Cadynce Gippner starred in two sports for the West Valley Eagles, soccer and softball. On the soccer pitch, she contributed nine goals as part of an undefeated team that won a sectional title. In softball, Gippner posted a .473 batting average with 52 hits, 48 RBIs, and 20 extra-base hits. She also pitched 57.2 innings with a 2.43 ERA for an Eagles squad that went 29-2 and captured an NSCIF title. This dual-sport excellence helped cement her status as one of the year’s top competitors.
Note: This rewrite preserves the core information about the nominees, their achievements, and the voting process while presenting it in a cohesive, engaging narrative suitable for readers seeking to understand the season’s highlights and participate in the award selection.