​Scenes from the Division 2 state track and field championships held on Saturday, May 30, at Hamilton High School. (Lenny Padilla/Sentinel Contributor) Another high school season has come to a close, bringing with it a slate of elite performances across the sports calendar. But who was the girls’ top performer of the 2025-26 school year? The finalists include each sport’s player of the year and a core group of multi-sport standouts who left a mark in multiple events. Vote here. The poll will remain open for two weeks. Below are details on each nominee.
Scenes from the Holland Christian vs. Holland girls swim meet highlight the season’s standout swimmer of the year, a multi-state champion who was also the Division 3 Swimmer of the Year. She finished second in the state in the high jump, marking one of the area’s most notable multi-sport achievements. The Chix’s multisport star also earned volleyball player of the year honors and has been a strong contributor on the basketball court as well. The Hamilton junior captured the Division 3 title in diving and earned all-state honors for the second consecutive year.
The cross country runner of the year earned all-state recognition in both cross country and track. The Maroons’ sophomore was named golfer of the year after reaching the state tournament. The senior guard earned first-team all-state honors in basketball and was named co-basketball player of the year after guiding Saugatuck to its third district title in four years, while also delivering a solid season as a volleyball setter. The junior guard followed with first-team all-state basketball honors and co-basketball player of the year honors for leading Saugatuck to another district title in four years.
The Panthers’ senior wrestler was named wrestler of the year after finishing third in the state, becoming only the second female wrestler in area history to reach 100 career wins. The Dux’s senior was named competitive cheerleader of the year after guiding Zeeland West to the state finals. The state qualifier claimed girls bowling’s player of the year award after earning top results. The junior was a top-three finisher statewide in three events—an exceptional feat in area history—taking second in the pole vault and third in the 100 hurdles and the long jump, marking a comeback season after missing the entire previous year with a knee injury.
The Panthers’ junior runner was named runner of the year after finishing as the state runner-up in Division 1 in the 800 meters, marking her second all-state finish in the event. The all-state catcher for the Trailblazers was named softball player of the year after delivering perhaps the best catching defensive season in area history. The season and career all-time leader for goals and assists, she helped Saugatuck reach the regional final for the first time. She was also an all-state skier for the second year in a row.
The No. 1 singles player for the Panthers earned Division 1 regional champion status and helped West Ottawa achieve its highest-ever state placement in school history. The junior midfielder was named girls lacrosse player of the year. This season’s nominees represent the pinnacle of girls’ athletics across the area, highlighting remarkable achievements across multiple sports and paving the way for continued success in the years to come.