KJCCC Announces 2026 All-KJCCC D2 Softball Teams
2026 D2 Softball All-KJCCC Teams
COLBY, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference has announced the 2026 KJCCC D2 Softball All-KJCCC teams and winners of the major postseason honors. The awards, which were voted on by each of the league head coaches, include two individuals each from both Allen Community College and Johnson County Community College bringing home major accolades.
Major award winners from the 2026 regular season are Most Valuable Player Taylor Damme, Pitcher of the Year Kyleigh Whitehurst, Freshman of the Year Kennedy Glassford, and Coach of the Year Nicole Peters.
Most Valuable Player: Taylor Damme (Allen)
The KJCCC D2 softball leader in home runs this year, Damme belted 16 home runs and ranked fifth in the KJCCC in slugging percentage (.863) and sixth in runs scored (48). The freshman drove in 55 total runs and stole 18 bases, batting .417 at the plate with 28 hits going for extra bases. Nationally, Damme ranks 27th among all NJCAA D2 softball players in home runs and 73rd in RBI.
Freshman of the Year: Kennedy Glassford (Johnson County)
A key piece to Johnson County’s conference-best .422 batting average, Glassford did more than hold her own in her first collegiate season by batting .468 at the plate with 59 hits in 126 at bats which included 18 doubles, six triples, and 11 home runs. The six triples led all KJCCC D2 softball players as Glassford added five stolen bases and was second in the KJCCC in total bases (122), on-base percentage (.548), and slugging percentage (.968). Among national leaders in NJCAA Division 2 softball, Glassford ranks 28th in triples, 15th in slugging percentage, and 50th in RBI.
Pitcher of the Year: Kyleigh Whitehurst (Johnson County)
Ranking second in KJCCC D2 softball in all major pitching categories (earned run average, wins, strikeouts, and saves), Whitehurst did whatever needed for Johnson County in the circle this season to help the Cavaliers secure their fourth KJCCC D2 Softball regular season tile in the past five years. Racking up 17 wins and 102 strikeouts in 152.2 innings pitched, Whitehurst tossed five shutouts which ranks eighth among all NJCAA D2 softball players and had 19 complete game performances which ranks 10th. Of her six appearances that did not come as starts, Whitehurst earned three saves, which ranks ninth nationally and held opponents to a .255 batting average against.
Coach of the Year: Nicole Peters (Allen)
After being picked sixth in the KJCCC Division 2 Softball preseason poll, Peters led Allen to a tie for third place in the KJCCC after going 13-7 in conference play. Earning four sweeps in 10 conference doubleheaders, Allen was one of just two teams to defeat Johnson County in conference action this year and earned at least one win against nine of the other 10 conference foes. Over the final five weeks of the regular season, Allen won 15 of their final 24 games for their best conference finish since 2010.
