After advancing through the USA Softball High Performance Program (HPP), USA Softball has announced the athletes that will represent the U.S. on the international stage at the 2026 U-18 Women’s Pan American Championship.

Known as “The Pipeline to the Women’s National Team Program,” the selected athletes worked their way through the HPP at the local level before ultimately being chosen by the Junior Women’s National Team Selection Committee (JWNTSC) after competing in the 2025 HPP National Selection Event.

“Seeing these athletes earn the opportunity to represent Team USA is truly special,” said Chris Sebren, Chief Sport Development/Performance Officer.

“Their hard work as they went through the High Performance Program has brought them to this moment. The process is competitive and requires commitment at every step, from local identifiers to the National Selection Event. We’re proud of this group and look forward to watching them compete on the international stage.”

*****

The Players

The 2026 U-18 Pan American Championship roster features a mix of familiar faces and rookie talent, including six returning U-18 WNT veterans that were a part of the World Championship squad last year:

• Anabela Abdullah
• Aspen Boulware
• Brielle Gardiner
• Lilly “Goose” Goodwin
• Julianna “Goose” Hutchens
• Brooklyn Paratore.

Among those with prior USA Softball experience are five athletes from previous U-15 Women’s National Teams, including Macie Bryant (2023) and Michaela Landers (2025), while Abdullah, Boulware and Paratore were also members of the 2023 U-15 team.

Eight athletes will make their debut wearing the Red, White and Blue.

The roster includes athletes from nine different states and four USA Softball regions:

California (Region 10) leads with six players, followed by Texas (Region 5) with three. Arizona (Region 10) and Georgia (Region 3) each have two athletes represented, while Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina (Region 3), along with Oklahoma (Region 5) and Utah (Region 9), each have one athlete on the roster.

*****

The Head Coach

A part of the Junior Women’s National Team program since 2019, Kyla Holas will return as head coach of the Eagles.

Holas previously led the U-18 squad to a gold medal finish at the 2025 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup Finals, marking her third World Championship title as head coach, while securing a record-setting fifth consecutive World Championship for the program.

Under her leadership, the U-18 WNT has not lost a game since 2021 and currently holds a 48-game winning streak at the World Championship level.

“Representing the USA is always a blessing,” said Holas.

“I am excited to go into the tournament with so many returners who have previously won a World Cup and know the standards that comes with wearing USA on your chest.

The committee did a great job of selecting some of the best athletes in their age groups and positions, and I am looking forward to seeing them perform at training camp and on the international stage,” she added.

*****

The HPP Program

This roster marks the fourth group of athletes to advance through the HPP program, following the selection of the U-15 WNT in 2023, the U-18 WNT in 2024 and both JWNT squads in 2025 — showcasing the opportunity of being involved in the Pipeline to the Women’s National Team Program.

The HPP was created in 2020 with the goal of identifying a pool of athletes to train, compete and represent USA Softball in domestic and international competition.

The program focuses on providing an equal opportunity for players to showcase their talent while growing the game of softball in the United States.

*** Click HERE for more info on the Women’s National Teams Program

Additional information on the upcoming 2026 U-18 Women’s Pan American Championship will be announced at a later date.

To learn more about the HPP or to get involved, click HERE.

*****

2026 U-18 Women’s Pan American Championship Roster