Cal Jepsen didn’t need much time to think it over.
Shortly after his on-campus visit to Western Kentucky University, the East High senior gave his verbal commitment to play baseball for the Hilltoppers.
“I took a visit down there a few weekends ago and loved it,” Jepsen said. “The coaches were great, the facilities were great. They have a new $53 million facility going up, so hopefully I’m going to make good use out of that and work my tail off, I’m excited for the opportunity to get down there when the time comes.”
Jepsen’s junior season was highlighted by being named to the all-class Super Team by the IHSBCA, his second all-state baseball nod.
He was also a first team all-Missouri River Activities selection after he helped the Black Raiders reach the Class 4A state tournament.
He hit for a .428 average with a 1.300 OPS, recorded 59 hits, 67 runs scored and 28 extra base hits with 47 RBIs. He led the state in runs scored, had the third most hits, doubles and total bases in the state (all classes).
On the mound Jepsen went 4-0 with four saves, throwing more than 20 innings with 39 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA to go with a 0.84 WHIP.
In football, he a first team selection in Class 5A Group 2 after threw for 2,373 passing yards on 180 of 283 attempts with 24 passing touchdowns. He had the fourth-most passing yards in Class 4A, tied for fourth most passing touchdowns
Jepsen was also played basketball for East and averaged two points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
As a sophomore, he earned a 4A all-Northwest District nod and made the all-MRAC first team by going or 31 RBIs, nine doubles, four home runs, one triple and 35 runs with a .308 average and .943 OPS.
“It was probably in the spring,” he said. “I didn’t have a great spring season but I got into the summer, we had a good season as a team and I got my name out there, talked to a few different schools and made the decision.
“It’s a weight lifted off my shoulders, for sure. I’m looking forward to finishing out (the school year) with my guys here and really enjoying my senior year.”
Kaitlyn Hardie, Sergeant Bluff-Luton junior, Wayne State volleyball
Hardie made the second team all-MRAC as sophomore libero in 2024. She helped SB-L reach the Class 4A state semifinals last season by recording a team highs in digs, with 321, and ace servers (55) while also chipping in 63 assists and going for a serve success rate over 90%.
“It was good for her to get that off her plate early on,” said SB-L head coach Renee Winkel. “It’s a great fit for her and now she can focus on playing.”
Joslyn Vogt, North High senior, Northwestern College softball
As a junior last summer, Vogt was named to the all-MRAC second team as she posted a 15-13 record in throwing 176 innings to the tune of a 4.18 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and .215 batting average against. She had 203 strikeouts and also contributed on offense by hitting for a .333 batting average with a .383 on-base percentage with 16 RBIs, two home runs and four doubles.
She had a breakout sophomore campaign in 2023 in nabbing a first team all-conference nod and amassing 283 strikeouts (which led Class 5A) and going for a 23-7 record with 204 â…“ innings pitched. She maintained a 2.74 ERA and 1.41 WHIP and held batters to a .196 batting average against. At the plate, Vogt had a .246 batting average with 14 RBIs and 10 extra-base hits.
Maggie Van Schepen, Western Christian senior, Dordt University volleyball
Last fall, Van Schepen was a IGCA Class 3A fourth team all-state setter in helping the Wolfpack reach the 3A state title game. She tallied 1,046 assists (8.9 per set), 276 digs, 34 blocks and 26 aces while notching a 91.1% serve success rate during the 2024 season.
As a sophomore on the Class 3A state championship Wolfpack squad, Van Schepen had a team-high 560 assists and had 172 digs.
Scarlett Winterfeld, Western Christian senior, Dordt University volleyball
An outside hitter for the Wolfpack, Winterfeld was included on the IGCA Class 3A second team all-state squad. And after Western Christian reached the 3A state championship, Winterfeld was named to the 3A all-state tournament team.
Her junior season saw her go for 365 kills (three per set with .167 efficiency, 373 digs, 41 total blocks and 56 aces as she led the 3A state runner-up in kills and aces and was second on the team in digs.
Jaida Barrow, Unity Christian senior, Dordt University volleyball
Barrow, a middle blocker, led the Knights in blocks last season with 60 while also ranking second on the squad in kills with 252 to go with a team-best .333 swing percentage as she nabbed a spot on the all-Siouxland Conference first team.
So far in 2025, Barrow lead the team in kills (137), swing efficiency (.394) and blocks (30).
As a sophomore, she went for 81 kills with a .303 efficiency.
Mia Riibe, Dakota Valley senior, William Penn softball
Riibe hit .379 for the Panthers last spring with a .493 on-base percentage and .638 slugging mark. She scored the second-most runs on the team with 25 runs and was fourth on the squad with 13 RBIs to go with nine extra-base hits. Riibe’s 22 hits on the season tied for second-most on the club and her 11 stolen bases tied for the Panther high.
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