Oklahoma State received nine first-place votes as the Cowgirls were selected as the 2025 preseason favorites while leading the preseason team with six selections, voted by the Big 12 softball head coaches who were not allowed to vote for their own teams or student-athletes.
Coming off its fifth consecutive Women’s College World Series appearance, OSU makes its first appearance in program history atop the preseason poll with 99 points.
Texas Tech came in a No. 2 with a tally of 90 points and two first-place votes. This is the first time the Red Raiders ranked within the poll’s top three spots in Conference history.
Arizona, entering its first softball season in the Big 12, was tabbed third with 81 points. Baylor was voted fourth with 75 points and BYU rounded out the top five with 54 points.
Earning First Team honors last season, Baylor’s Shaylon Govan and OSU’s Karli Godwin headline the preseason team which features 18 players, regardless of position.
OSU garnered six selections to the team followed by Arizona, BU, Kansas and TTU with two honors. Arizona State, BYU, Iowa State and Utah earned one selection each.
Govan is joined by Arizona’s Dakota Kennedy and Regan Shockey, BYU’s Lily Owens, and TTU’s NiJaree Canady as unanimous selections.
Twelve of the 18 selections earned 2024 All-Conference honors last season.
The 2025 season marks the debut of Arizona, Arizona State and Utah to the Big 12, expanding the league to 11 teams. The season begins Thursday, Feb. 6 with Conference play beginning Thursday, March 6 and ending Sunday, May 4. The 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship returns to Oklahoma City, May 7-10 at OGE Energy Field at Devon Park.
2025 Big 12 Softball Preseason Poll
1. Oklahoma State – 99 (9)
2. Texas Tech – 90 (2)
3. Arizona – 81
4. Baylor – 75
5. BYU – 54
6. Utah – 52
7. UCF – 51
8. Arizona State – 36
9. Kansas – 34
10. Iowa State – 23
11. Houston – 10
2025 Big 12 Softball Preseason Team
Dakota Kennedy, Arizona, Jr., OF*
Regan Shockey, Arizona, So., UTL*
Kelsey Hall, Arizona State, Gr., OF
Turiya Coleman, Baylor, Sr., C/INF
Shaylon Govan, Baylor, Sr., INF*
Lily Owens, BYU, Jr., UTL*
Angelina Allen, Iowa State, Sr., OF
Katie Brooks, Kansas, Sr., P/UTL
Presley Limbaugh, Kansas, Jr., OF
RyLee Crandall, Oklahoma State, Jr., P
Megan Delgadillo, Oklahoma State, Gr., OF
Tallen Edwards, Oklahoma State, Jr., UTL
Karli Godwin, Oklahoma State, So., INF
Ruby Meylan, Oklahoma State, Jr., P
Claire Timm, Oklahoma State, Jr., OF
NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech, Jr., P*
Mihyia Davis, Texas Tech, Jr., OF
Kaylah Nelsen, Utah, Sr., OF
() – first-place votes
*unanimous selection