-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Mariah Myers of St. Edmond connects for a three run homer against Southeast Valley on Tuesday at Rogers Park

Mariah Myers has been a household name around both the state and national softball scene for several years.

Now, the St. Edmond senior has the accolades to back that up even more.

Myers was named the 2024-25 Gatorade Iowa Softball Player of the Year on Monday.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states across 12 different high school sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.

“It means a lot to me to get such a prestigious award and to be named with 49 other girls around the country,” Myers said. “I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without my amazing teammates and many coaches. I am very grateful for St. Edmond giving me an opportunity to play the sport I love and represent them along with Fort Dodge.”

The University of Iowa commit is hitting .667 with an on-base percentage of .800 and a slugging of 1.625 and an OPS of 2.425. She has hit five home runs with 11 RBI, 21 runs, four doubles and two triples through 11 games while being walked 16 times.

As a junior, Myers hit .600 with an OBP of .714, a slugging of 1.360 and an OPS of 2.074 with 14 homers, 13 doubles, 36 RBI, 45 runs scored and 29 walks.

“Mariah is one of the best players I’ve watched play the game of softball,” North Union head coach Kim Price said. “Mariah is a force at the plate and defensively on the field. She has impeccable discipline at the plate, and she can adjust to the pitch to get a solid hit regardless of the location.”

Along with being a softball standout for the Gaels, Myers captured a state track and field title in the shot put and was a multi-time medalist in both events at state while breaking school records in both. She also competed at the Drake Relays and was on the SEHS volleyball team this past fall.

Myers had a 3.8 grade point average in high school and was a co-recipient of the 2025 Carol Donnelly Award with Lauren Gibb, which goes to the top senior girl at the school.

Every winner of the Gatorade Player of the Year award receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $5.6 million in grants to winners across more than 2,000 organizations.

Myers is just the ffith Gatorade Player of the Year from Fort Dodge, joining Jalen Adams (softball, 2022), Jordan Crosby (track, 2003), Nik Moser (track, 2001) and Randy Reiners (football, 1994). Other Messenger-area winners include Aaron Graves of Southeast Valley (football, 2021), Elle Ruffridge from Pocahontas Area (basketball, 2015 and ’16), Tyler Nielsen of Humboldt (football, 2006) and Kelli Riesdesel of Lohrville (track, 1987).