The 2026 high school softball season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Record Newspapers coverage area.

It was a calendar year of outstanding achievements for many Kendall County athletic programs and individuals. Teams recording historic seasons. Record-setting accomplishments. Individual glory on the greatest of stages. Here are the Top 5 Sports Stories of 2025 in Kendall County

Annie Scaramuzzi, who starred for Oswego in high school and was co-coach for this past season's state championship team, has been named the Panthers' next head coach.

Here is the 2025 Record Newspapers All-Area softball team.

Oswego junior and Purdue recruit Jaelynn Anthony, who led the Panthers to the program's first state championship as a dynamic two-way threat pitching and hitting, is the 2025 Record Newspapers softball Player of the Year.

Senior catcher Kiyah Chavez and junior pitcher Jaelynn Anthony of Class 4A state champion Oswego were among those named Class 4A First Team All-State by the Illinois Coaches Association in voting announced this week.

Aubriella Garza hit her program record-breaking 14th homer of the season, a solo shot, for Oswego's first run, and Jaelynn Anthony struck out 18 as the Panthers beat Barrington 4-1 in the Class 4A final for the program's first state championship.

Oswego defeated Barrington 4-1 to win the Class 4A State softball championship on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria.

Kennedy Gengler made many dazzling plays at shortstop. Second baseman Adalynn Fugitt had four hits. Oswego's first-year middle infield drove in the team's first two runs and the Panthers went on to a 13-2 win in over Oak Park-River Forest in the Class 4A semifinal.