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With the high school sports season behind us, it's time to look back.
This is the fourth poll in a series the Journal Star will roll out this summer, asking readers to select various superlatives across the 2025-26 season — including top teams, coaches, plus male and female athletes.
It's time to name the Peoria-area high school female athlete of the year. Head to pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Thursday. Information about the nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for next week's boys Coach of the Year honor, email us at [email protected] or tag us on X @pjstarsports. Last week, Manual basketball star Josh Humbles was named the fans' choice for 2026 Journal Star boys Athlete of the Year.
The 2026 Journal Star Softball Player of the Year helped lead Dunlap to a historic season during her senior campaign. The Eagles (30-10) finished fourth in the state in Class 3A and won the Mid-Illini Conference title. Centoni, a right-handed pitcher, had a 21-5 record with 279 strikeouts, 41 walks and a 0.73 ERA in 172 innings. She recorded 10-plus strikeouts in 16 games, including a 17-strikeout effort against Moline. The Illinois recruit threw two no-hitters during the regular season and a perfect game for the regional title. She batted .291 on 32 hits, with six doubles, two triples, one home run and 26 RBIs. She was first-team all-state and had the walk-off hit to send Dunlap to the state finals.
The junior forward took Morton to new heights in 2026. She scored 37 goals with 25 assists for the Potters (26-2-1), who were Class 2A state runner-ups. Ceresa's offensive output contributed to Morton scoring over four goals a match. She was named Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-sectional. As a libero, Ceresa contributed 208 digs and 62 assists for the Potters (33-4), who lost in the Sweet Sixteen to eventual Class 3A state champion Normal U-High.
The 2026 Journal Star Small-School Basketball Player of the Year led Dee-Mack to the promised land in 2026. Dejesus guided the No. 1-ranked Chiefs to the Class 1A state championship. The 6-foot-1 senior forward averaged 20.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists highlighted by a 16-point, 13-rebound, six-block and five-assist performance in the title game. She was an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state first-team selection for the Chiefs (34-3).
The 2026 Journal Star Girls Soccer Player of the Year was an offensive force during her senior season. The senior forward scored 57 goals and had seven assists for the Irish (23-1-2), who made a Class 3A Sweet Sixteen. In 2025, she also scored 57 goals, which is tied for the 16th most goals in a single IHSA season. She was a part of an Irish offense that outscored opponents, 147-7. She scored 166 goals, putting her at No. 10 on the IHSA all-time career scoring list.
The 2026 Journal Star Large School Player of the Year led the Panthers to the Class 3A state championship. Tibbs went on an 11-0 personal run to help put the title game out of reach for a game-high 24 points. Tibbs averaged 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists for Washington (35-2), which won the Mid-Illini Conference outright. She graduates as Washington's all-time leading scorer. The IBCA all-state first-teamer will play at McKendree University.
The 2025 Journal Star Tennis Player of the Year made Peoria-area history during her sophomore season. Her Class 1A second-place finish made her the first-ever local singles player to compete for a tennis state championship. That helped the Eagles finish second as a team in Class 1A. She ended her run at state with a 5-1 record, picking up first-team all-state honors and posted a record of 29-5. Yu was also the Mid-Illini Conference and sectional champion.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Vote now for Peoria Journal Star girls athlete of the year for 2025-26
Continue reading...
This is the fourth poll in a series the Journal Star will roll out this summer, asking readers to select various superlatives across the 2025-26 season — including top teams, coaches, plus male and female athletes.
It's time to name the Peoria-area high school female athlete of the year. Head to pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Thursday. Information about the nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for next week's boys Coach of the Year honor, email us at [email protected] or tag us on X @pjstarsports. Last week, Manual basketball star Josh Humbles was named the fans' choice for 2026 Journal Star boys Athlete of the Year.
Sutton Centoni, Dunlap
The 2026 Journal Star Softball Player of the Year helped lead Dunlap to a historic season during her senior campaign. The Eagles (30-10) finished fourth in the state in Class 3A and won the Mid-Illini Conference title. Centoni, a right-handed pitcher, had a 21-5 record with 279 strikeouts, 41 walks and a 0.73 ERA in 172 innings. She recorded 10-plus strikeouts in 16 games, including a 17-strikeout effort against Moline. The Illinois recruit threw two no-hitters during the regular season and a perfect game for the regional title. She batted .291 on 32 hits, with six doubles, two triples, one home run and 26 RBIs. She was first-team all-state and had the walk-off hit to send Dunlap to the state finals.
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Claire Ceresa, Morton
The junior forward took Morton to new heights in 2026. She scored 37 goals with 25 assists for the Potters (26-2-1), who were Class 2A state runner-ups. Ceresa's offensive output contributed to Morton scoring over four goals a match. She was named Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-sectional. As a libero, Ceresa contributed 208 digs and 62 assists for the Potters (33-4), who lost in the Sweet Sixteen to eventual Class 3A state champion Normal U-High.
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Dalia Dejesus, Deer Creek-Mackinaw
The 2026 Journal Star Small-School Basketball Player of the Year led Dee-Mack to the promised land in 2026. Dejesus guided the No. 1-ranked Chiefs to the Class 1A state championship. The 6-foot-1 senior forward averaged 20.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists highlighted by a 16-point, 13-rebound, six-block and five-assist performance in the title game. She was an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state first-team selection for the Chiefs (34-3).
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Ava LaFollette, Peoria Notre Dame
The 2026 Journal Star Girls Soccer Player of the Year was an offensive force during her senior season. The senior forward scored 57 goals and had seven assists for the Irish (23-1-2), who made a Class 3A Sweet Sixteen. In 2025, she also scored 57 goals, which is tied for the 16th most goals in a single IHSA season. She was a part of an Irish offense that outscored opponents, 147-7. She scored 166 goals, putting her at No. 10 on the IHSA all-time career scoring list.
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Avery Tibbs, Washington
The 2026 Journal Star Large School Player of the Year led the Panthers to the Class 3A state championship. Tibbs went on an 11-0 personal run to help put the title game out of reach for a game-high 24 points. Tibbs averaged 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists for Washington (35-2), which won the Mid-Illini Conference outright. She graduates as Washington's all-time leading scorer. The IBCA all-state first-teamer will play at McKendree University.
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Anna Yu, Dunlap
The 2025 Journal Star Tennis Player of the Year made Peoria-area history during her sophomore season. Her Class 1A second-place finish made her the first-ever local singles player to compete for a tennis state championship. That helped the Eagles finish second as a team in Class 1A. She ended her run at state with a 5-1 record, picking up first-team all-state honors and posted a record of 29-5. Yu was also the Mid-Illini Conference and sectional champion.
You must be registered for see images attach
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Vote now for Peoria Journal Star girls athlete of the year for 2025-26
Continue reading...
