LINFIELD UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL VERSUS WILLAMETTE • MARCH 14-15, 2026

WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY

Casey Powell

COMMUNICATIONS

Kelly Bird, Chase Fisk, Joe Stuart

STATISTICS

Camren Hanamoto

PUBLIC

Steve Oleson

VIDEO WEBCASTS

Joe Stuart, Maddie Funk

Ethan Kline, Kalina Zagyva

GAME PROGRAM

Kelly Bird, Chase Fisk, Felipe Unker

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

seizing every opportunity

Her softball career impacted by an injury, Annika Dayberry is using the adversity to discover new ways to contribute

by kalina zagyva ’29

What makes the Linfield softball program so consistently successful, says junior Annika Dayberry, “is that we’re all committed to excellence and we’re all very hardworking individuals.”

Dayberry describes the team as having an exceptional culture that knows when to be serious and when to keep things light and carefree.

“We like to have fun, but we also know when the appropriate time is to lock in and put in our all.”

Linfield softball finished the 2025 regular season at the top of the Northwest Conference and went on to claim third place in NCAA Division III Championships. However, the team has undergone drastic changes this spring. The Wildcats graduated 10 seniors yet fortunately gained 10 freshmen to begin the new season.

“It’s a tradeoff,” says Dayberry. “It’s a lot of growth and learning, but I think that’s the best part.”

The Redmond, Washington, native prides herself in being able to pass the torch of the “Catball” culture to the under classmen.

“Even though we are young, we still have the ability to compete with some of the top teams in the nation.”

Due to the competitive nature of softball, Dayberry finds it important to always trust her teammates.

“It can get stressful, but I know that my team is behind me.”

Through this competitive environment, Dayberry is able to apply softball skills to her everyday life.

“Sports have taught me how to manage highpressure situations and I’m so grateful for that.”

She has kept a positive mindset throughout her athletic journey, never faltering, even when faced with adversity.

“I’m coming off of two years being injured,” referring to a torn labrum suffered during the early spring of her freshman year. While partici pating in the team’s annual marathon game fundraiser, Dayberry forcefully dove for a fly ball, with the heavy impact damaging cartilage in her shoulder.

“I haven’t been able to throw or hit for a while. It’s been a huge adjustment for me, but my teammates have made it feel very welcoming to be back.”

Despite her role being limited to that of a situational base runner, Dayberry still found herself at practice each and every day, relentlessly supporting her team. Fellow junior Meara Sain admires her teammate’s perseverance.

“Anni has handled her injury with positivity and resilience,” says Sain. “She finds a way to work hard and get better, even when facing adversity.”

Long after Dayberry’s surgery, her recovery continues.

“I’m playing through a little bit of adversity. But I wouldn’t want it any other way, just to be playing alongside my girls. It’s made me a lot stronger as a person and as a player.”

Softball was not always Dayberry’s primary athletic pursuit, having originally competed in gymnastics for 10 years. She began her softball journey in third grade but wasn’t competitive until middle school. As soon as she stepped into the excitement of the high school sports scene, Dayberry knew she wanted to compete at the collegiate level.

“It was definitely a big transition from high school to college,” reflecting back to her freshman season. “I had never practiced or lifted weights so much.”

With the team-centered environment being her favorite aspect of the game, Dayberry had no problem committing entirely to Linfield softball.

“I had to up my standards and up my game for myself to be able to compete here.”

Dayberry’s relentless hard work, both on and off the field, led her to be named to the NFCA Scholar-Athlete All-America list for her sophomore season, a credit to her success and commitment both on the diamond and in the

As a top-end student at Linfield, Dayberry is pursuing a major in data science.

“I knew I wanted to work with sports and numbers. This career path seemed to align with both goals. I’ve just had such a fun time.” Outside of classes, Dayberry continues to live in the data science world as she serves as a math mentor for her Linfield peers, as well as local middle school students. She finds that involving herself in the tight-knit major community benefits herself and everyone around her.

Prior to the start of softball season, Dayberry enrolled in a Linfield class that connected in person with alumni at companies in Portland, Seattle and New York City, expanding her knowledge of finance and business.

After she graduates from Linfield, Dayberry hopes to pursue a master’s degree in data science and is eyeing Syracuse University in upstate New York.

“I just loved my trip (to New York) so much. I would love to go back and live there for a year or two.”

As she takes the field for her third season, Dayberry is grateful for her health and teammates. She’s focused simply, she says, on “taking every opportunity to succeed.”

AROUND THE NATION

Linfield slips to No. 8 in the NFCA poll after two recent losses

Unbeaten Virginia Wesleyan is the unanimous choice to take over the top spot in the NFCA/GoRout Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Marlins (8-0), who were the national runner-up to Trine last year, replace the Thunder in the No. 1 position, following Trine’s loss in the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.

Virginia Wesleyan logged six wins last week, including a sweep of then-No. 9 Christopher Newport by a 22-2 margin.

Reigning national champion Trine (11-1) drops to No. 2 following a 5-1 run at the Leadoff, that included a 6-4 loss on Saturday to eventual Leadoff titlist Berry (12-2). The defeat ended the Thunder’s 22-game win streak, with its last loss coming last May in the MIAA Tournament, 8-7 to Adrian.

Texas Lutheran (12-1) kept winning and gained two places to No. 3, while Saint Mary’s (14-2) stayed fourth in the poll after going 4-2 at the Leadoff, including a ranked victory over Emory Berry was the biggest mover of the week — 18 places — going from 23rd in the rankings last week all the way to No. 5 after winning five straight games at the Leadoff. The Vikings lost their tournament opener, 9-6, to new No. 21 DePauw, but defeated Trine and shut out both then-No. 8 East Texas Baptist, 3-0, and Denison, 8-0, and rolled past Spalding, 12-2, and Bethel, 13-3, in five innings apiece.

WashU, at No. 6, also made a climb up the rankings — 12 spots — after running its perfect record to 10-0. East Texas Baptist (12-2) is the new No. 7. Linfield (6-2) goes to eighth after absorbing two losses to NWC rival George Fox. Huntingdon (13-2) moved up to ninth after dealing Saint Mary’s one of its two losses at the Leadoff. No. 10 Redlands (11-4), stayed home in California and was 6-1 this past week to round out the revised top 10 teams.

1 kya lindell

AROUND THE NATION

DEL SMITH STADIUM

Del Smith Stadium has steadily evolved into a jewel among college softball facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Named in honor of trustee emeritus and longtime Linfield College athletics supporter Del Smith, the facility slowly took shape over a 30-year period.

In 1990, the softball field became a permanent, softball-only facility. Prior to the 1990 season, the softball field was also used as the Wildcats’ soccer field in the fall. At that time, the field underwent a facelift as the playing surface was moved back 25 feet from the street to allow for portable bleachers, a temporary outfield fence was installed and a single batting cage was erected.

In 1995, a substantial upgrade was undertaken which added two covered team dugouts and a home-team dressing room. In addition, a six-foot cyclone fence was installed around the field’s perimeter.

The move toward permanent seating began in 1997 when an elevated platform was constructed. Stadium lighting was added in 2001. By 2008, an all-aluminum 400-seat grandstand replaced three sets of portable bleachers, doubling seating capacity.

An enclosed pressbox replaced a makeshift plywood shelter that provided protection from the weather for statisticians and game officials. During the same period of

time, an enhanced scoreboard with capability to display each score by inning, replaced the aging model in right field.

The facility took another major step forward in 2010 with the completion of two covered and partially enclosed batting cages beyond the outfield wall.

More improvements followed in the fall of 2020. The perimeter of the field was completely encircled with mesh branding, honoring Linfield’s graduated All-Americans as well as the Wildcats’ many conference, regional and national championships. New branded padding was added to the backstop and new netting system was installed.

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HEAD COACH JACKSON VAUGHAN

1997 graduate Jackson Vaughan has become nationally renowned in two sports

J setting a standard of excellence

ackson Vaughan has transformed the Linfield softball program into an annual national-championship contender during 24-plus seasons as coach. Entering this week, Vaughan has amassed a career record of 898-206-2, including a 550-93 mark in the Northwest Conference. Over the past two decades, he has led Linfield to unprecedented success, a span that includes the 2007 and 2011 NCAA Division III national championships, 11 regional titles and 17 conference crowns. Twice, in 2007 and 2011, he was honored as the Division III Coach of the Year by the NFCA and has been named NWC Coach of the Year 13 of the last 17 seasons. He was selected as the top coach in the West Region in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

In 2004, Vaughan engineered an upset of No. 1-ranked East Texas Baptist in the

regional playoffs. In 2011, he guided the Wildcats to their second national championship and third NCAA title appearance in five seasons.

Prior to becoming head coach, he served four seasons as a Wildcats assistant softball coach. He has served as a defensive coordinator and assistant football coach for the past 26 years, helping the Wildcats amass a 205-36 record since 2000. Linfield qualified for the Division III playoffs 15 of the last 22 seasons and captured the 2004 national championship with a 13-0 record.

A native of Hereford, Oregon, Vaughan received a bachelor’s degree from Linfield in accounting in 1997, graduating with honors.

He and his wife, Shelly, live in McMinnville where they are raising their three school-age daughters, Hallie, Reese and Finley.

vaughan by the numbers

900-208-2 in 24+ Seasons

5th-Highest Winning Pct. (81.2) in NCAA Division III Softball History

Led Linfield to NCAA Division III National Championships in 2007 and 2011

8 Top-Four Finishes at the NCAA Championship Finals

9 NCAA Championship Finals Appearances

14 Regional Championship Game Appearances

18 Northwest Conference Championship Teams

Led Linfield to 20 NCAA Postseason Appearances

22 Consecutive Seasons of 30 or more Victories

Coached 48 NFCA All-Americans

Coached 108 NFCA All-Region Award Recipients

2-time National Softball Coach of the Year

7-time NFCA Regional Coach of the Year

14-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year

205-36 as Defensive Coordinator of the Linfield Football Team

15 NCAA Championship Football Playoff Appearances

Member of Linfield’s 2004 NCAA Division III Championship Football Team Coaching Staff

Honored as 2015 NCAA Division III Defensive Coordinator of the Year by website FootballScoop.com

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LINFIELD COACHING STAFF

Jamie Vasas began his softball coaching career in 2014, leading the 10U Oregon Panthers. That year, he guided his team to the 10A State Tournament before finishing third at the ASA National Championship in Stockton, Calif. The following year, he led 12U NW Bullets, placing third at the 12A State Tournament. In 2016, his Oregon Titans club achieved a runner-up state tournament finish.

In 2017, he helped launch new a club program called the NW Vandals. Since its formation, the Vandals has grown fivefold, increasing from two teams to 10 “Class A” level squads as of 2023.

Jordan Bennett enjoyed a distinguished four-year playing career with the Wildcats as a pitcher and pinch runner.

Appearing in 56 games, she posted a 7–1 record in the circle and earning NWC Pitcher of the Week honors during both her freshman and sophomore seasons. During her career, Bennett contributed to three straight NWC titles and three NCAA playoffs appearances.

The San Jose, California, native is a graduate of Leland High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner, twoyear team captain, and an instrumental leader in her team’s CCS playoff run.

Boulder, Colorado, native Amanda Knopf was a four-year starting pitcher at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she graduated from in 2012. She holds Macalester career and single-season strikeouts records for strikeouts.

In 2012, she led the Scots to their first and only winning season since 1997.

Knopf represented the United States as part of USA Athletes International and traveled to the Caribbean in 2011 to play on a team with college players from around the U.S.

She previously served as an assistant pitching coach at Macalester from 2012 to 2014.

Assistant coach Emily Allen was a two-time all-West Region and all-conference catcher for the Wildcats, competing from 2015 until 2018. She was a member of Linfield’s 2015 team that placed third in the nation and the 2018 squad that captured the NWC crown.

A three-year starter, Allen recorded a .381 career batting average and a .988 career fielding percentage.

Allen has served as an assistant coach at Aloha High School and at the youth club level with The Bat Company She also tutored young softball players through private hitting and catching lessons.

LINFIELD WILDCATS

ASSISTANT COACHES:

WILLAMETTE BEARCATS

LINFIELD VERSUS WILLAMETTE

series BREAKDOWN

THE RECORDS

Coming off a series win over Puget Sound, Willamette enters this weekend’s series with a 6-8 overall record and a 3-1 mark in the NWC. Linfield enters at 6-2 and 2-2 in the NWC after splitting its four-game series at George Fox to open conference play.

LINFIELD AT A GLANCE

Tyler McNeley continues to be the go-to Wildcat in the circle. The junior righthander made three starts last weekend and is now 4-1 on the season with a 2.97 ERA. She has struck out 37 batters and walked 15, going the distance is all of her five starts. At the plate, returners Lexiss Antle, Ashlyn Aven, Cydney Hess and Meara Sain continue to lead the young team, each carrying an OPS over .900 and are among the top-five leaders in the NWC in runs batted in. Aven and Hess lead the league with four home runs each, and both sport double-digit runs batted in through eight games. Antle ranks No. 3 in the NWC with a .471 batting average, tallying 16 hits in 34 at bats.

WILLAMETTE

AT A GLANCE

Junior infielder Desirae Hatfield leads the Bearcats offensively, hitting .361 with 11 RBIs. Catcher/outfielder Maris Pinheiro owns a team-high 12 RBIs and a .481 on-base percentage. Freshman pitcher Mckenzee Patersen (3-3) has made six starts while posting a 4.50 ERA and a 2:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. She also ranks sixth in the NWC at the plate with 14 hits and a .318 batting average. Petersen is trailed closely by senior Lizzie Brasher with four starts (2-2) and a 4.20 earned run average inside the circle.

SERIES HISTORY

The Wildcats have dominated the all-time series against the Bearcats, winning 102 of 125 matchups. Linfield has won the last 20 head-to-head meetings with Willamette, the longest such streak in the history of the two programs. Eight of Linfield’s 20 recent wins have come via the eight-run rule.

THE NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

RECENT HONORS

At the plate, Hess was chosen as the NWC Player of the Week. The West Linn, Oregon, native showcased her power at the plate, going 5 for 12, including hitting three home runs and driving in nine runs. Hess drove in four runs in Game 2 against Redlands, opening with a sacrifice fly before putting the ‘Cats on top with a three-run homer in the fifth. The senior third baseman was walked three times in the finale against Pomona-Pitzer, but went 1 for 1 with a home run in the second inning. McNeley was chosen as NWC Pitcher of the Week, beginning her season with a complete-game shutout of Redlands. The junior righthander went seven strong innings, walking three and Cydney Hess and Tyler McNeley

receive honors from the NWC following a 4-0 weekend in California

Linfield opened the 2026 campaign two weekends ago with a trip to California. Senior Cydney Hess and junior Tyler McNeley led the Wildcats, earning honors as Northwest Conference Student-Athletes of the Week.

striking out six batters. The Lakeview, Oregon, native also earned a save in the second game of the Redlands series. McNeley’s weekend was capped off with a complete-game victory against the Sagehens in which she allowing one run on three hits. She allowed just one extra-base hit the entire weekend.

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RECENT HONORS

Longtime sports information director Kelly Bird is chosen for induction into the CSC Hall of Fame

Over his 36-year career as Linfield sports information director, Kelly Bird has built the Athletic Communications office from the ground up. From a part-time role, to growing the office of one upwards to three, Bird has not only served as a leader on the Linfield campus, but also as an awardwinning communicator on the national stage.

Bird started his retirement process in 2025. He is now in a hybrid role as the athletic marketing and events coordinator, though remains Linfield’s primary media relations contact for football, track and field and softball while continuing his roles as sponsorship coordinator, Hall of Fame historian, and department photographer.

In recognition of his service to Linfield, Bird will be inducted into the 2026 Hall of Fame class as part of the College Sports Communicators annual convention in Las Vegas in June.

“I feel totally blessed to have worked within the sports communications field and at Linfield University for as long as I have,” said Bird. “Being singled out for induction into the CSC Hall of Fame is a dream come true.”

As SID, Bsuccessfully promoted 103 NWC championship teams, 21 individual national champions in swimming and track, four national title teams, four Elite 90 Scholar-Athletes, and 30 CSC Academic All-Americans, and a Gagliardi Award winner.

KEEPING TABS ON THE WILDCATS

can’t attend the game? catch the action on lsn

The Linfield Sports Network continues to bring fans live action of all home Linfield baseball games in 2026. Fans can enjoy live video webcasts and play-by-play commentary on their computer, tablet, mobile device or Smart TV.

Live coverage begins 10 minutes prior to the start of each game. Broadcasts include a complete postgame wrap-up with analysis and statistical breakdown.

LSN broadcasts are under the direction of Joe Stuart, the athletic department’s Broadcast Operations Coordinator. In his sixth year in the position, Stuart oversees all technical production and management of LSN broadcasts as well as providing play-by-play

commentary on football, basketball, baseball and softball webcasting in addition to assisting with other athletics communications needs.

A trio of Linfield students will all contribute to the on-air production. Junior Maddie Funk starts her first year behind the microphone. She began as a basketball cameraperson this winter before taking on the role of play-by-play announcer for women’s lacrosse. He also provided play-byplay during soccer and lacrosse games. Junior Ethan Kline serves on the camera crew during his first season of Linfield softball. He previously announced Linfield baseball and soccer games.

LSN broadcasts can be accessed at golinfieldwildcats.com/watch.

All Linfield Sports Network webcasts are now carried on FloSports, a conference-wide pay-to-watch platform

Linfield University has joined together with its eight fellow Northwest Conference institutions in support of a new partnership with streaming provider FloSports to offer live and on-demand video coverage of nearly every athletic event Linfield participates in

An annual subscription costs $107.88 ($8.99 per month). A monthly subscription runs $19.99.

Linfield students, faculty and staff with linfield.edu email addresses will enjoy discounted rates of $71.88 per year ($5.99/ month) or $9.99 if purchased monthly.

Schools are expected to receive annual investments from FloSports to build and expand broadcast capabilities and make other investments within the athletic department. Linfield personnel will continue to staff and operate all home broadcasts.

FloSports subscribers will have the capability to access more than 40,000 events nationwide spanning 25 different sports.

FloSports expects to deliver live and on-demand coverage of Linfield events across 15 different sports: Football, volleyball,

WATCHING flosports MADE EASY

REGULAR RATES

$107.88 ANNUALLY

$19.99 MONTHLY STUDENTS & STAFF

men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball, and women’s lacrosse. Northwest Conference Championship events in all sports except golf and cross country will also be streamed as part of the annual agreement.

The NWC joins several of its regular non-conference opponents in partnering with FloSports, the industry leader and primary media rights partner for Division III conferences.

Each year, FloSports will provide a global platform to live stream over 800 regular-season and postseason events.

PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS

LINFIELD ALL-AMERICANS

NAME YEAR HONOR

Katie Harding 1997 NAIA Second Team

Shelly Steinke 2006 NFCA Third Team

Jenny Marshall 2007 NFCA First Team

Stephanie Rice 2007 NFCA Third Team

Jenny Marshall 2008 NFCA First Team

Stephanie Rice 2008 NFCA First Team

Brittany Miller 2008 NFCA Second Team

Brittany Miller 2009 NFCA First Team

Staci Doucette 2009 NFCA First Team

Alex Hartmann 2009 NFCA Third Team

Emily Keagbine 2009 NFCA Third Team

Staci Doucette 2010 NFCA First Team

Karleigh Prestianni 2010 NFCA First Team

Alex Hartmann 2010 NFCA Third Team

Emily Keagbine 2010 NFCA Third Team

Staci Doucette 2011 NFCA First Team

NAME YEAR HONOR

Emilee Lepp 2011 NFCA First Team

Emily Keagbine 2011 NFCA First Team

Kayla Hubrich 2011 NFCA First Team

Karleigh Prestianni 2011 NFCA Second Team

Claire Velaski 2011 NFCA Third Team

Emilee Lepp 2012 NFCA First Team

Karleigh Prestianni 2012 NFCA First Team

Staci Doucette 2012 NFCA First Team

Karina Paavola 2012 NFCA Third Team

Karleigh Prestianni 2013 NFCA First Team

Lisa Yamamoto 2013 NFCA First Team

Erin Carson 2013 NFCA Second Team

Ashley Garcia 2014 NFCA First Team

Karina Paavola 2014 NFCA Third Team

Melanie Oord 2016 NFCA Second Team

Cheyenne Fletcher 2017 NFCA Second Team

NAME YEAR HONOR

Melanie Oord 2018 NFCA Third Team

Makenna Clizer 2019 NFCA Third Team

Katie Phillips 2022 NFCA First Team

Tayah Kelley 2022 NFCA Second Team

Katie Phillips 2023 NFCA First Team

Tayah Kelley 2023 NFCA First Team

Claire Seats 2023 NFCA Second Team

Kaili Saathoff 2023 NFCA Second Team

Tayah Kelley 2024 NFCA First Team

Brynn Nelson 2024 NFCA First Team

Claire Seats 2024 NFCA First Team

Kaili Saathoff 2024 NFCA Second Team

Tyler McNeley 2024 NFCA Third Team

Claire Seats 2025 NFCA First Team

Brynn Nelson 2025 NFCA Second Team

Jacey Leyvas 2025 NFCA Second Team

Ashlyn Aven 2025 NFCA Second Team

SEASON-BY-SEASON

YEAR COACH OVERALL NWC NWC FINISH NAIA

1958 Barbara Olsen

1959 Barbara Olsen 1960 Barbara Olsen 1961 Barbara Olsen 1962 Barbara Olsen

1st

2nd

5th

1975 Ed Willig 2-4

1976 Nick Santangelo

1977 Dave Cargni

1978 Dave Cargni 1981 Ethel Gregory 9-6 5-3

Jane McIlroy 3-12

Jane Wahl 18-15 11-6 16-9

Jane Wahl 13-18 4-11 1985 Joanne English 14-13 4-4 12-11 1986 Joanne English 20-15 7-1 1st 14-4 1987 Joanne English 14-16 6-11 3rd 16-11

1988 Joanne English 25-16 10-4 17-7

1989 Joanne English 21-19 7-9 2nd 17-9 1990 Becky Heidesch 22-18 8-8 3rd 16-8

Becky Heidesch 22-14 5-9 4th 14-5

Linda Kilgore 17-16-1 6-10 3rd 11-4-1

Laura Kenow 15-14 7-7 3rd 8-4

Laura Kenow 18-13 10-6 3rd

Laura Kenow 21-12 16-4 2nd 1997 Laura Kenow 23-18 14-6 2nd

1998 Laura Kenow 20-22-1 14-9-1 3rd NCAA

1999 Laura Kenow 20-17 17-7 3rd

2000 Laura Kenow 24-10 14-7 4th

2001 Laura Kenow 24-17 14-7 2nd

2002 Jackson Vaughan 21-17 13-8 3rd

Jackson Vaughan 39-8-1 25-3 1st

Jackson Vaughan 12-2 4-0 DNF

Vaughan 38-9 22-6 2nd

THE TOPCAT CLUB

The Linfield University TopCat Club serves as a support organization to the 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams and the more than 500 students who participate in athletics each year. Each year, support from the TopCat Club is essential to maintaining and expanding each of these programs.

The mission of the TopCat Club is to provide students with an outstanding athletic and academic experience and to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the overall Linfield athletics program.

At Linfield, we continually strive to improve programs and facilities so that our teams may compete at the highest level. Roughly 75 percent of the athletic department’s annual operating budget comes from the university’s general fund. The remainder is generated through a wide variety of external sources, including annual gifts to the Linfield TopCat Club.

IN THE NEWS

Participating in a national competition, Linfield’s cheer team returns with a pair of fifth-place trophies

Linfield cheer competed recently at the 2026 USA Spirit Nationals & Collegiate Championships, bringing home a pair of fifth-place trophies in two categories.

“Having the opportunity to come to Anaheim for USA nationals, was one of a kind and something we will all cherish forever,” said freshman Taylor Mason following the competition.

In the Game Day Fight Song College Finals category, the Wildcats placed tenth with an event score of 87.4.

Linfield earned its first trophy in the Game Day Situational Sideline/Cheer College Finals, totaling an impressive 94.8 event score. The ‘Cats finished fifth out of 12 teams in the category.

“It’s always so rewarding to represent Linfield in a positive light, but there was something special about doing it at USA Nationals 2026,” said senior captain Miki Dunham on the opportunity to compete at the national level.

In the finals for the 4-Year Game Day Band Chant, Linfield took home another fifth-place trophy, racking up a 91.3 event score.

“As a team we were determined to bring hardware back to McMinnville,” said Dunham. “We were disciplined and driven to meet our goal. I’m so proud that we have not just met our goal we exceeded it by bringing 2 trophies back to Mac! Being a part of this team the last four years has helped me grow as a person and as an athlete, I am so lucky to have been surrounded by such amazing teammates pushing me to my best every single day.”