University of Minnesota Athletics
2026 Softball Year in Review

>> Despite losing four starters to injury before mid-October, the Golden Gophers rallied to finish 24-10 and 12-8 in the Big Ten and reached the program's 11th straight NCAA Tournament.
>> With wins against Fairfield and Iowa State at Maturi Pavilion, Minnesota advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2022.
>> Head coach Keegan Cook was named AVCA Northwest Region Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career and first with the Golden Gophers.
>> After earning honorable mention honors last year, senior Julia Hanson capped her Gopher career with second-team All-American accolades. She was also named AVCA Northwest Region Player of the Year and first-team unanimous All-Big Ten honors.
Big Ten Pitcher of the Week
Sydney Schwartz (2/16)
CSC Academic All-District
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Academic All-Big Ten
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Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
Maggie Werner
Gallery: 2026 Gopher Softball Season
















































