RIPON, Wis. -- Following a historic season that saw the Red Hawks return to the Midwest Conference Tournament for the first time in 15 years, the Midwest Conference announced its 2026 Softball All-Conference honors Saturday, with Ripon College once again well represented among the league's top performers.
Ripon finished the season with a 25-13 overall record after posting a 25-11 mark during the regular season and placing third in the Midwest Conference standings. The Red Hawks' return to postseason play marked one of the program's most successful seasons in recent history.
Freshman pitcher Peyton Vandeloo (Kaukauna, Wis., Freedom HS) headlined Ripon's selections after being named the MWC Newcomer of the Year while also earning First Team All-Conference honors. Joining Vandeloo on the first team was senior first baseman Kayla Cruz (Anaheim, Calif., Anaheim HS), while freshman outfielder Desirae Kallstrom (DeForest, Wis., DeForest HS) and freshman infielder Callissa Keller (La Valle, Wis., Wonewoc-Center HS) each received Second Team recognition. In addition, Ripon's coaching staff, led by head coach Emilia Jackson, was named the MWC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Ripon's success throughout the season was reflected in the conference honors after the Red Hawks established themselves as one of the league's top teams on both sides of the ball. The combination of strong pitching, timely hitting and steady defense helped power Ripon to one of its best seasons in over a decade and a return to the conference tournament.
Vandeloo's standout freshman season quickly established her as one of the top pitchers in the conference. Earning both First Team All-Conference honors and MWC Newcomer of the Year recognition, she emerged as a key piece of Ripon's pitching staff throughout the season and immediately made an impact against conference competition.
Cruz secured First Team honors after serving as one of the anchors of the Red Hawks lineup throughout the year. Her consistency at the plate and defensive presence at first base helped lead one of the conference's most productive offenses.
Kallstrom earned Second Team recognition following a strong campaign in the outfield. Her playmaking ability defensively combined with her contributions at the plate provided an important spark for Ripon throughout the season.
Keller was also named to the Second Team after putting together a reliable all-around season for the Red Hawks. Her versatility and steady production helped strengthen Ripon's lineup during a championship-caliber campaign.
The Coaching Staff of the Year honor recognizes the continued growth and success of Ripon's program under Jackson's leadership. Guiding the Red Hawks back to the conference tournament for the first time since 2011, the coaching staff helped oversee one of the most memorable seasons in program history.
With four all-conference selections, a Newcomer of the Year award and Coaching Staff of the Year recognition, Ripon's 2026 season showcased the resurgence of a program that reestablished itself among the Midwest Conference contenders.
