Most of the players from the back-to-back state-title-winning GHS softball teams have graduated. The expectations may change, but standard hasn't.
GAYLORD ― The Gaylord softball program has built quite a name for itself over the past five seasons.
Winning back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024 made it clear across the state, but those around Northern Michigan had been well aware of the juggernaut the GHS team was becoming. The achievements they left behind tell the story: a 172-19 record over five seasons, the top two seasons in home runs hit by a team in MHSAA history (73 HR in 2023, 72 in 2024) and eight current players on college softball rosters.
Now, a relatively new group will fill attempt to fill those large shoes (or cleats) left behind, and while the coaching staff is not lowering the standard, the team understands that nothing will come easy just because of the name on the front of their jersey.
"I tell the girls that even though we're the Gaylord softball program, we're not the teams that have been here before," said senior Nora Bethuy. "We're going to have to work hard for every single thing we get."
Gaylord Blue Devils softball 2026
Last season: 24-8, Advanced to Division 2 regional finals (lost 10-0 to Escanaba).
Key departures: Aubrey Jones, Kennedy Wangler, Jenna Sircely.
Key returners: Nora Bethuy, Makayala Kozlowski, Lily Ryckman-Hall.
With a player like Aubrey Jones on the roster, a state championship was always the ceiling for the GHS softball team.
There was certainly more that went into back-to-back state titles than one dominant player, but it was players like Jones, her sister Jayden, and other standouts like Alexis Shepherd, Alexis Kozlowski and others down the lineup that made Gaylord the most feared softball team in the state, regardless of division.
Slowly but surely, those key players have graduated and moved on. The roster now only features two players from the state-title-winning rosters and only one starter from either title game (senior Nora Bethuy).
That may change outside expectations, but it won't affect how the coaching staff views their team or the standard they hold them to.
"We're not lowering the bar for them," coach Bill Bethuy said. "The expectations are still here, and we're going to have to work hard to get there."
Seniors Nora Bethuy, Makayla Kozlowski and Lily Ryckman Hall will be key to GHS reaching its larger goals. They've seen the level of commitment it took to reach the mountaintop back in 2023 and 2024 and bring that college-level talent that people expect from the GHS lineup.
This year, a state title may be a bit far out of reach, but it'll be up to this group to prove the ceiling is still high for the Blue Devils' program.
Remaining schedule
Saturday, April 25 at Dow Invite
Tuesday, April 28 vs. Sault Area
Wednesday, April 29 vs. TC St. Francis
Wednesday, May 6 at Alpena
Saturday, May 9 vs. TBD
Tuesday, May 12 at Petoskey
Thursday, May 14 at Shepherd
Tuesday, May 19 vs. Cadillac
Wednesday, May 20 vs. Kalkaska
Saturday, May 23 vs. TBD
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord high school softball 2026 season preview
Category: General Sports
