Clemons Named to Big 12 Preseason Team

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State sophomore Jessie Clemons was named to the 2026 Big 12 Softball Preseason Team, the league announced Wednesday.

The 18-player team was voted on by league coaches. Players were picked regardless of position, and coaches could not vote for their own student-athletes.

Clemons, a Bettendorf, Iowa native, burst onto the scene in her rookie campaign as she earned a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team honor. Clemons had one of the best freshman seasons in program history, leading the team in batting average (.367), hits (65), doubles (13), RBI (36) and total bases (95). Clemons flashed her versatility for the Cyclones on the defensive side, as she made starts at first base (17), second base (1), shortstop (16), center field (8), right field (11) and designated player (1).

With her Big 12 Preseason Team honor, it is now the third-straight season that ISU has seen an athlete earn the recognition. She joins Milaysia Ochoa (2024) and Angelina Allen (2025) as previous honorees.

Also released on Wednesday was the Big 12 Preseason Poll, which slotted the Cyclone seventh out of 11. ISU, which is coming off a third-place finish in the Big 12 last year, will open its 2026 campaign on February 6 against Omaha in Cedar Falls.

2026 Big 12 Softball Preseason Team
*Regan Shockey, Arizona
*Sydney Stewart, Arizona
*Kenzie Brown, Arizona State
Tanya Windle, Arizona State
Brooklyn Carter, Baylor
*Ilove'a Brittingham, BYU
Lily Owens, BYU
Isabella Vega, UCF
Jessie Clemons, Iowa State
Rosie Davis, Oklahoma State
*Ruby Meylan, Oklahoma State
Lauren Allred, Texas Tech
Jasmyn Burns, Texas Tech
*NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech
*Mihyia Davis, Texas Tech
Alana Johnson, Texas Tech
Taylor Pennell, Texas Tech
Kaitlyn Terry, Texas Tech