Iowa Softball Signs 5 for 2026

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Five preps, including two Iowans, have signed scholarship agreements with the University of Iowa softball team, it was announced Wednesday by head coach Stacy May-Johnson. 

Ireland Heer (RHP/OF, Broomfield, Colo.), Kayla Kersting (3B/C/UTIL, Yorkville, Ill.), Paige Opheim (IF, Humboldt, Iowa), Carly Potts (RHP/UTIL, Haubstadt, Ind.) and Julia Roth (IF/P, Dubuque, Iowa) will join the Hawkeyes in the fall of 2026.

Ireland Heer
RHP/OF
Broomfield, Colo.
Broomfield High School
Nebraska Gold National

- CHSAA 5A Player of the Year
- Two-time CHSAA First-Team All-State selection… also was an honorable mention all-state honoree
- Two-time conference pitcher of the year
- Three-time first-team all-conference selection… first-team all-district honoree
- First-team academic all-state

May-Johnson on Heer
“Ireland is a hard throwing pitcher who will make an immediate impact. She has proven that she can handle a lot of innings while putting her nose down and competing.  She changes speeds well and has the ability to get high level hitters out.  In addition, she brings power to the plate and will help elevate our program.”

Kayla Kersting
3B/C/UTIL
Yorkville, Ill.
Yorkville High School
2025 – Alliance Nationals 16 Tier II All-Tournament

- Three-time Illinois 4A all-state honoree, earning two first-team and one second-team nod
- Three-time Kendal County first-team all-area selection
- Three-time SPC all-conference honoree
- Two-time Offensive Most Valuable Player
- Recipient of the Kendall County Player of the Week

May-Johnson on Kersting 
“Kayla is a grinder on the softball field. She comes to us as an everyday high-level contributor at third base for one of the top clubs in the country and her talent is without question. What I enjoy most about Kayla is her love for the game. She plays with an unpretentious and unassuming passion for softball. She has all the tools, physical and mental, to become an elite athlete.”

Paige Opheim
IF
Humboldt, Iowa
Humboldt High School
Iowa Premier National Team

- Played with the Iowa Premier National Team 16U & 18U
- Hit .402 with a .958 fielding percentage as a sophomore
- All-state and all-district honoree as a freshman
- Two-time first-team all-conference as an eighth grader and freshman… hit .400 as an eighth grader and .386 as a freshman with a .732 on-base percentage

May-Johnson on Opheim
“Paige is a strong hitter who also brings excellent athleticism in a power bat. When she connects with the ball, it goes a long way. Her physical tools coupled with a high-level work ethic make her the ideal Hawkeye. She is a proud Iowan and will no doubt help elevate our program the highest level.”

Carly Potts
RHP/UTIL
Haubstadt, Ind.
Southern High School
Tennessee Mojo

- 2024 Indiana all-state selection after hitting .448 with 34 RBIs, 14 doubles and four home runs with a .500 on-base percentage… also had a 1.67 ERA and a .971 fielding percentageTwo-time All-Southwest Indiana selection, two-time all-county and all-conference honoree
- Posted a .407 average and .485 OBP with 31 RBIs, eight home runs and seven doubles as a junior… also had a 2.00 ERA and a .980 fielding percentage
- Hit .391 with 18 RBIs, three home runs and a .408 on-base percentage in an injury-shortened freshman season… also had a 2.50 ERA and a 1.000 fielding percentage 

May-Johnson on Potts
“Carly is a pitcher with a great ability to throw weak contact. She will play a vital role in the success of our bullpen and will see innings immediately. She also comes to us as a talented two-way player who competes in the field when she isn’t pitching. I think she is only scratching the tip of the iceberg right now, and I believe she will develop into a great player.”

Julia Roth
IF/P
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque Wahlert
Lady Expos

- Sports Illustrated Elite Team All-State as a senior after hitting  .479 with 24 home runs, 161 total bases, 64 RBIs and 67 total hits… also posted a 2.14 ERA in the circle with 131 strikeouts
- Three-time first-team all-state, all-district and all-conference selection… also first-team all-state as a junior by SI
- Two-time Mississippi Valley Conference Player of the Year (freshman, junior)… two-time All-Area Player of the Year (sophomore, junior)
- Two-time 3A State All-Tournament team honoree… two-time team Most Valuable Player
- Hit .481 (62 hits), 14 home runs and 47 RBIs… also had a 1.80 ERA with 93 strikeout as a freshman… hit .396 (55 hits) with 15 home runs and 116 total bases as a sophomore… finished with a 2.00 ERA with 135 strikeouts
- Holds school records in single-season home runs (25) and career home runs (57)… also holds single-season RBIs (64) and wins (21) records
- Has led team to four top-eight finishes at the state tournament, including a runner-up finish in 2025 and a third-place in 2024… led team to three consecutive conference titles (2023-25)
- Hit a walk-off home run in state tournament quarterfinal game in 2024 and three home runs in a regional quarterfinal in 2025
- All-Academic honoree (2024, 2025) and a National Honor Society member
- Also participated in volleyball and swimming
- Plays club ball for the Lady Expos 

May-Johnson on Roth
“Julia is an incredible athlete who does so many different things well on the field. She hits for power, runs, pitches and plays shortstop. She is a multi-sport Iowan who reminds me of so many in-state athletes before her -- those who came to Iowa as athletes and left as elite softball players. I have no doubt that Julia is going leave her mark on this program.”