With the 2026 Women’s College World Series upon us, it’s also time for major news—including top seasonal awards—to be announced.

Last night, two players were honored for their outstanding 2026 seasons… here are the reports…

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Nebraska’s Jordy Frahm Named 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year

Hailing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Jordy Frahm makes her mark in history as the program’s first-ever USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award winner after receiving the prestigious honor at tonight’s 2026 NCAA Softball Women’s College World Series (WCWS) banquet in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The award has recognized outstanding athletic achievement by Division I softball players across the country for the past 24 seasons, with Frahm representing the sixth two-way recipient since the award’s inception in 2002.

“I just want to say thank you to USA Softball and recognize how much amazing talent is in our sport right now and in this room,” said Frahm during her acceptance speech at tonight’s banquet.

“There are so many people who could be standing here, so this is an incredible honor.”

Frahm, a three-time Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honoree and All-Big Ten First Team selection, cemented herself as one of the nation’s top two-way players, ranking among NCAA leaders on both sides of the ball with a 1.15 ERA (No. 4), 12 saves (No. 1), a 3.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio (No. 3) and a .848 slugging percentage (No. 39).

During the 2026 season, the Nebraska standout set a new program single-season record with 12 saves.

Frahm remained a steady force in the circle throughout her senior campaign, compiling an 19-4 record while tossing 225 strikeouts in 163.2 innings pitched — a total that ranked ninth nationally.

Claiming her second career Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honor (2025, 2026) and third overall conference pitcher of the year accolade (Big 12 in 2023), Frahm helped guide the Huskers to the program’s first-ever Super Regional host bid, where Nebraska welcomed No. 15 Oklahoma State to Lincoln.

Against the Cowgirls, she recorded a .500 batting average and tossed eight innings with nine strikeouts to help the Huskers punch their ticket to the 2026 WCWS.

“I just want to thank my teammates, my coaches and all of the support staff for Nebraska Softball,” said Frahm.

“This has been such a special year, and without all of you, it’s not happening. I have just never been more motivated by the love of the people I get to spend every day with.”

Along with Frahm, the Top 3 Finalists for the 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year included UCLA’s Megan Grant and Florida State’s Isa Torres.

The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year is voted on by coaching representatives of 10 Division I Conferences in the 10 USA Softball Regions, members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country as well as past winners of the award.

Previous winners of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year

Stacey Nuveman (UCLA – 2002), Cat Osterman (Texas – 2003, 2005, 2006), Jessica Van der Linden (Florida State – 2004), Monica Abbott (Tennessee – 2007), Angela Tincher (Virginia Tech – 2008), Danielle Lawrie (Washington – 2009, 2010), Ashley Hansen (Stanford – 2011), Keilani Ricketts (Oklahoma – 2012, 2013), Lacey Waldrop (Florida State – 2014), Lauren Haeger (Florida – 2015), Sierra Romero (Michigan – 2016), Kelly Barnhill (Florida – 2017), Rachel Garcia (UCLA – 2018, 2019), Jocelyn Alo (Oklahoma – 2021, 2022), Valerie Cagle (Clemson – 2023), NiJaree Canady (Stanford – 2024) and most recently, Bri Ellis (Arkansas – 2025).

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Record-Breaking Campaign Earns OU’s Wells 2026 NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year Honors

Following a record-breaking rookie season, University of Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells was voted the 2026 NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year, the Association revealed on Tuesday evening at the 2026 NCAA Women’s College World Series banquet in Oklahoma City.

An unanimous selection, Wells is the record fifth Sooner to win the award and just the second catcher to take home this honor (Annie Aldrete, inaugural co-winner in 2014). She is fifth recipient from the Southeastern Conference, the first for the Sooners as members of the league.

Wells’ rookie campaign will go down as one of the finest in Division I softball history. The standout catcher, who earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors, shattered Oklahoma’s and the NCAA Division I freshman single-season home run record. A first-team NFCA All-Region selection, Wells leads the SEC with 39 home runs, 81 RBI, and a 1.030 slugging percentage – stats that all rank in the top-five nationally, including second in home runs and tied for third in RBI – and earned her a spot as an USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 10 finalist.

Joining Wells as finalists were University of Nebraska’s Alexis Jensen and Sooner teammate Kai Minor. 

The winner, along with the top-10 and top-three lists, is voted on by the NFCA Division I All-America Committee. To be eligible, student-athletes must be nominated by their member head coach and in their first year of NCAA Division I collegiate competition as a true freshman or redshirt freshman.

The NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award was created in 2014 to honor outstanding athletic achievement among Division I freshmen softball student-athletes. The NFCA awards Freshman of the Year plaudits to a student-athlete from NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII and NAIA. For more information about all NFCA Awards, visit nfca.org.

NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Winners

2026 – Kendall Wells, Oklahoma; 2025 – Taylor Shumaker, Florida; 2024 – Jaysoni Beachum, Florida State; 2023 – NiJaree Canady, Stanford; 2022 – Jordy Bahl, Oklahoma; 2021 – Tiare Jennings, Oklahoma; 2019 – Danielle Williams, Northwestern; 2018 – Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma; 2017 – Rachel Garcia, UCLA; 2016 – Amanda Lorenz, Florida; 2015 – Paige Parker, Oklahoma; 2014 – Annie Aldrete, Tennessee & Kasey Cooper, Auburn