Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Jalen Adams waves to the crowd during her recognition for being a 100-game winner during her career at Fort Dodge Senior High. Adams is a sophomore-to-be for the University of Iowa softball program. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Jalen Adams spent a lot of time at the state tournament in her career for Fort Dodge.

On Thursday, she returned as an honoree.

The 2022 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate was officially placed in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union 100-win club in a ceremony before the start of the Class 5A state championship game.

“It was such a cool experience, getting to go back on the field at the state tournament and hearing all the fans cheering,” Adams said. “It brought me back to my happy place here in Fort Dodge.”

Adams was a vital cog in the best stretch of Dodger softball in program history. With Adams in the circle, FDSH qualified for five straight state tournaments and reached three consecutive championship games.

Adams helped lead the Dodgers to the school’s only state championship in 2021.

“The state tournament will never be comparable to any softball game I ever play in,” Adams said. “Playing with my mother was such a blessing. I wouldn’t trade my (former Dodger) teammates for anyone else.

“It was so cool to be able to soak in the tournament from a different perspective as well (this week).”

The daughter of Fort Dodge softball coach Andi Adams finished her career with a record of 111-13. She was 9-4 at Rogers Park during the state tournament. Adams had 880 career strikeouts.

The five-time all-state selection and four-time first team pick just finished her freshman season in the circle for the University of Iowa. She appeared in 34 games, with 23 starts.

Adams’s 2.02 ERA led the Hawkeyes and was fourth best in the Big Ten. She held hitters to .230 batting average and earned Big Ten all-freshman team honors.