Oklahoma star named National Player of the Year top 10 finalist

Yahoo Sports2h ago10 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells has been named a top 10 finalist for USA Softball's National Player of the Year after setting home run records. She is competing against other notable players from various colleges.

Key points

Kendall Wells named top 10 finalist for National Player of the Year
Set Oklahoma and SEC home run records
Competing in the Norman Regional this weekend
Finalists include players from Alabama, Texas Tech, Nebraska, and UCLA

Kendall WellsOklahoma SoonersUSA Softball National Player of the YearAlabama

Oklahoma star named National Player of the Year top 10 finalist

Oklahoma Sooners freshman Kendall Wells has had a phenomenal season, making history by setting Oklahoma and SEC home run records. She has a chance at more history as the Sooners prepare for the Norman Regional this weekend. On Wednesday, Wells was named a top 10 finalist for USA Softball's National Player of the Year.

Wells joins Alabama's Jocelyn Briski, Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady, Nebraska's Jordy Frahm, UCLA's Megan Grant, Belmont's Maya Johnson, Texas' Katie Stewart, Florida State's Isa Torres, Texas Tech's Kaitlyn Terry, and UCLA's Jordan Woolery.

Ella Parker, Gabbie Garcia, and Kai Minor were top 25 finalists but didn't make the cut to the top 10.

Wells leads the Sooners with 36 home runs and 77 RBIs this season. She also has 38 walks this season. She will be the frontrunner for National Freshman of the Year awards and will have a chance to be a finalist for national player of the year as the Texas Tech and UCLA stars steal votes from each other.

Whether she hoists the top player awards or not, it's still been a fantastic season for Wells who has lived up to the hype in her first season in Norman.

Feb 22, 2026; Cathedral City, CA, USA; OU softball catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits the ball vs Washington during the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Wrigley Field Big League Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Karl Anderson-Imagn Images

Q&A

Who is Kendall Wells and why is she a finalist for National Player of the Year?

Kendall Wells is a freshman softball player from Oklahoma who set home run records and was named a top 10 finalist for USA Softball's National Player of the Year.

What records has Kendall Wells set during her freshman season?

Kendall Wells has set both Oklahoma and SEC home run records during her phenomenal freshman season.

Who are the other finalists for USA Softball's National Player of the Year?

Other finalists include Jocelyn Briski, NiJaree Canady, Jordy Frahm, Megan Grant, Maya Johnson, Katie Stewart, Isa Torres, Kaitlyn Terry, and Jordan Woolery.

What is the significance of the Norman Regional for Kendall Wells and the Sooners?

The Norman Regional is significant as it provides an opportunity for Kendall Wells and the Sooners to compete further in the postseason, potentially adding to her accolades.