In an area loaded with softball talent and as the season gets underway, here are our picks for five players to watch across The Times coverage area.

Behind a strong group of veteran players, the St. Bede softball team hopes to make another postseason run after reaching a sectional final last season.

The Marquette softball team will be young but returns a number of players with experience that will be looking to build off a 26-win, Class 1A regional championship season a year ago.

The TigerTown Tanglers have qualified eight wrestlers for the IKWF State Tournament this weekend in Peoria, including three first-time qualifiers.

The Ottawa softball team has a solid mix of talent and experience coming off a 20-10 season in which it captured a third consecutive Class 3A regional championship.

The St. Carlos Acutis seventh grade volleyball team beat Kewanee Visitation to win a Class 1A sectional title and advance to the state tournament.

Princeton's Keighley Davis and Bureau Valley's Libby Endress were special mention IBCA All State, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

Here is the 2025-26 All-Kishwaukee River Conference girls wrestling team, as voted on by KRC coaches.

Here is the 2025-26 All-Kishwaukee River Conference boys wrestling team, as voted on by KRC coaches.