We’re a week into 2026 and it’s already shaping up to be a brand new year in Gaylord area sports.. Before we completely move on from 2025, it’s time to take one last look back.
While some of the best teams of 2025 were on the male side, many of the best individual athletes were female athletes at Gaylord, St. Mary and Johannesburg-Lewiston High School, with state titles, all-state honors and individual accolades aplenty for the girls that call Otsego County home, leading to opportunities at the next level.
Which girls sports athlete had the best 2025 around Gaylord? Vote now:
Aubrey Jones, Gaylord softball
Jones finished an illustrious high school softball career with the second-most home runs in state history (71), hitting 16 home runs and 52 RBIs in her senior season while going 7-3 with 140 strikeouts and a 1.62 earned run average in the circle.
Allie Nowak, JoBurg track and field
Now a Division 1 runner at Michigan State, JoBurg’s Allie Nowak won her second-straight 800-meter state championship with a time of 2 minutes, 18.45 seconds on Saturday, May 31.
Katie Berkshire, Gaylord cross country, track and field
Berkshire was a D2 state runner-up in the 1600-meter (4:58.4) and the 3200-meter (10:36.05) at the track and field finals, then was also runner-up at the D2 cross country state finals (17:03) and the third-fastest time in D2 state meet history.
She went on to qualify for the Nike XC Nationals after finishing sixth at the regional qualifier with a time of 17:16.3.
Payton Glasby, Gaylord St. Mary basketball
Glasby is a key contributor in all three sports she plays, but it’s the basketball court where she stands out the most; she recently joined the 1,000-point club on Friday, Dec. 12, starting off her senior year strong after earning the Gaylord Herald Times Player of the Year last season.
Kaylee Jeffers, Gaylord St. Mary basketball
Joining her friends on the softball, volleyball and basketball teams, Jeffers is also known for her efforts on the basketball court, helping Gaylord St. Mary reach the Division 4 regional finals in back-to-back seasons. She averaged 13.5 points, 4 assists and 3.7 steals, playing a vital role as the point guard in GSM’s high-pressure defense.
Mady Peppin, JoBurg volleyball and softball
Peppin plays shortstop for a talented JoBurg softball team, finishing last season witha .427 batting average with 38 total hits and four home runs. Where she stands out, however, is on the volleyball court; a back-to-back GHT Player of the Year recipient, Peppin led the area in kills (445) and blocks (49) and received All-State honors from the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: VOTE: Gaylord Herald Times 2025 Female Athlete of the Year
