The 2026 High School Baseball season was the most successful one yet at the top end in my 5 years at KQWC, highlighted by a state tournament appearance by Roland-Story, and Webster City baseball’s 4th NCC title of the decade. There were plenty of standout performers to rave about, and they will be rewarded as such in the following.

Awards

Player of the Year: Aiden Frey, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .437 AVG/.564 OBP/.670 SLG/1.234 OPS, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 45 H, 8 2B, 2 3B, 50 SB, 59 R, 46 putouts, 6 assists, .981 F%

The man who set the table for one of Iowa’s most prolific offenses all season long, Roland-Story junior Aiden Frey receives the honors for player of the year for his command of the game at the plate, in the field and on the bases, including leading 2A in stolen bases (50) and runs scored (59).

Pitcher of the Year: Matt Tesdahl, Sr. (Webster City)

Stats — 8 starts, 10 appearances, 7-1 record, 49.2 IP, 0.85 ERA, 12 walks, 72 strikeouts, .142 BAA, 6 ER allowed

This award truly could have gone to 5 different players, but Webster City senior Matt Tesdahl took home the honors after tearing through the North Central Conference and finishing top 5 in ERA (0.85), strikeouts (72) and innings pitched (49.2).

Defensive Player of the Year: Kaleb Hansen, Jr. (Webster City)

Stats — .271 AVG/.410 OBP/.376 SLG/.786 OPS, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 23 H, 6 2B, 205 putouts, 5 assists, 12 runners thrown out, .986 F%

The catcher position in Webster City has been a hallmark of excellent defense in the 2020’s, as junior Kaleb Hansen continued the tradition with his stellar play in 2026. Hansen led the NCC in putouts (205), total chances (219) and runners caught stealing (12).

Newcomer of the Year: Chance Georgius, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .400 AVG/.500 OBP/.700 SLG/1.200 OPS, 7 HR, 53 RBI, 48 H, 13 2B, 1 3B, 14 SB, 44 R

After flashing huge potential during last year’s postseason, Roland-Story junior Chance Georgius cashed in on that potential in 2026, finishing top 5 in Class 2A in most major power categories, including home runs (7) and RBI (53).

Coach of the Year: Chris Hill (Roland-Story)

Accomplishments — 37-4 record, most wins in a season in school history, HOIAC Co-Champions, Waterloo Bucks Tournament Champions, Class 2A State Baseball Qualifier

Many saw the build of Roland-Story coming after a strong second-half of 2025, but Chris Hill’s squad was able to put substance over hype and cash in on the high expectations in 2026, qualifying for their first state tournament since 2015, as well as claiming a Heart of Iowa Conference title.

First-Team

Catcher – Kaleb Hansen, Jr. (Webster City)

(See Defensive Player of the Year)

First Base – Jaxon Griffith, Sr. (Webster City)

Stats — .519 AVG/.645 OBP/.728 SLG/1.374 SLG, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 42 H, 2 2B, 3 3B, 47 R, 32 SB, 128 putouts, 5 assists, .971 F%

Another serious contender for Player of the Year honors, Jaxon Griffith’s senior season provided an astronomical slash line, finishing top 5 in Class 3A in average (.519) and on-base percentage (.645), while also providing an anchor on the corner of the infield.

Second Base – Jake Knoll, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .342 AVG/.453 OBP/.477 SLG/.930 OPS, 2 HR, 50 RBI, 38 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 49 R, 25 SB, 30 putouts, 56 assists, .851 F%

No one exemplified the execution of a small-ball philosophy quite like Roland-Story junior Jake Knoll in 2026. Knoll drove in 50 RBI to finish top 5 in Class 2A, while registering over 10 less hits and kept opposing defenses working.

Shortstop – Braden Wallace, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats –.291 AVG/.443 OBP/.402 SLG/.845 OPS, 40 RBI, 34 H, 11 2B, 1 3B, 33 R, 40 SB, 47 putouts, 67 assists, .950 F%

Without having his pitching services, Braden Wallace worked himself into an everyday shortstop for Roland-Story and became a vacuum defensively for the Norsemen. Wallace also finished with 40 RBI and 40 stolen bases, providing high-end offensive production in multiple facets.

Third Base – Carter Mickelson, Sr. (Webster City)

Stats — .341 AVG/.487 OBP/.366 SLG/.853, 32 RBI, 28 H, 2 2B, 23 R, 13 SB, 25 putouts, 31 assists, .848 F%

Mickelson was a stalwart on the left-side of the Webster City defense, platooning between third base and shortstop, while also providing pure hitting presence similar to a Nico Hoerner by driving in 32 runs with just 2 extra-base hits.

Outfield – Aiden Frey, Jr. (Roland-Story)

(See Player of the Year)

Outfield – Colin Willis, So. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .403 AVG/.519 OBP/.484 SLG/1.003 OPS, 41 RBI, 50 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 35 putouts, 5 assists, .952 F%

Willis emerged as the best pure hitter for the Norsemen in 2026, tallying a team-high 50 hits while driving in 41 RBI. Willis provided a stable glove defensively, committing just 2 errors all season and holding a fielding percentage above .950.

Outfield – Adrian Whipple, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — .316 AVG/.441 OBP/.395 SLG/.836 OPS, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 24 H, 3 2B, 22 R, 5 SB, 35 putouts, 3 assists, .950 F%

Whipple came alive as one of Eagle Grove’s top bats in the 2nd half of the season, while also providing a stable and rangey glove in the outfield.

Utility – Chance Georgius, Jr. (Roland-Story)

(See Newcome of the Year)

Pitcher – Matt Tesdahl, Sr. (Webster City)

(See Pitcher of the Year)

Second-Team

Catcher – Derek Acevedo, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .247 AVG/.458 OBP/.306 SLG/.764 OPS, 21 RBI, 21 H, 5 2B, 27 R, 13 SB, 295 putouts, 17 assists, 5 runners thrown out

First Base – Cael Faber, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .317 AVG/.500 OBP/.416 SLG/.916 OPS, 32 RBI, 32 H, 10 2B, 44 R, 14 SB, 124 putouts, 17 assists, .959 F%

Second Base – Braylon Dyvig, Sr. (Webster City)

Stats — .432 AVG/.579 OBO/.511 SLG/1.090 OPS, 27 RBI, 38 H, 7 2B, 35 R, 18 SB, 41 putouts, 24 assists, .929 F%

Shortstop – Ethan Hasty, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Stats — .266 AVG/.420 OBP/.291 SLG/.711 OPS, 15 RBI, 21 H, 1 3B, 13 R, 4 SB, 26 putouts, 46 assists, .923 F%

Third Base – Gavin Pedersen, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

Stats — .269 AVG/.420 OBP/.299 SLG/.719 OPS, 12 RBI, 18 H, 2 2B, 16 R, 5 SB, 65 putouts, 38 assists, .936 F%

Outfield – Aiden Hrnicek, Sr. (Webster City)

Stats — .271 AVG/.410 OBP/.376 SLG/.786 OPS, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 23 H, 6 2B, 19 R, 12 SB, 38 putouts, 3 assists, .953 F%

Outfield – Cooper Triggs, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats — .256 AVG/.460 OBP/.478 SLG/.938 OPS, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 23 H, 7 2B, 2 3B, 42 R, 18 SB, 26 putouts, 1.000 F%

Outfield – Alex Staley, Jr. (Webster City)

Stats — .319 AVG/.467 OBP/.362 SLG/.829 OPS, 13 RBI, 22 H, 3 2B, 33 R, 6 SB, 26 putouts, 2 assists, .848 F%

Pitcher – Reece Blaisdell, So. (Roland-Story)

Stats — 16 appearances, 8 starts, 9-0 record, 55.1 IP, 1.77 ERA, 23 walks, 81 strikeouts, .134 BAA, 14 ER allowed

Utility – Garrett Johnson, So. (South Hamilton)

Stats — .283 AVG/.484 OBP/.370 SLG/.854 OPS, 13 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 11 R, 3 SB, 9 appearances, 8 starts, 1-5 record, 30.0 IP, 7.00 ERA, 39 walks, 36 strikeouts, .221 BAA, 30 ER allowed

Honorable Mention

Syrus Willard, Sr. (Webster City)

Gavin Jeter, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Wyatt Ramus, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Gavin Griffith, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Charlie Campbell, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Tristan Kakacek, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Huxley Lingenfelter, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Trenton Robinson, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

Jackson Babcock, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

Holden Moore, So. (South Hamilton)

Brody Harris, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Parker Stuck, Sr. (South Hamilton)