Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: 2025 Carol Donnelly Award winner Mariah Myers stands with her parents, Giselle and Bill. The Donnelly Award is given annually to the top female senior student-athlete at St. Edmond.

The time Mariah Myers spent at St. Edmond was short, but the impact she made will be felt for generations to come.

Myers was named the 2025 Carol Donnelly Award winner, sharing the honor with Lauren Gibb — another standout and a teammate of Myers in both volleyball and softball. The honor is given yearly to the top Gael girl senior student-athlete.

“Earning the Donnelly with Lauren was very rewarding,” Myers said. “I’m proud of Lauren. It’s no surprise to me that she received the award, too.”

A future University of Iowa softball player, Myers earned numerous accolades in three sports, including a state track and field championship in the shot put this past spring.

“It really has meant a lot to me to have been a Gael these last two years,” she said. “I love being able to play in front of my family and friends.”

Myers was tabbed the 2024-25 Iowa Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, adding to a laundry list of all-state, all-conference and all-district awards. St. Edmond reached the state tournament both years with Myers at shortstop, as she provided consistent defense with a loaded arm and power at the plate.

“Mariah is not only a tremendous softball player and athlete, but she is an exceptional person and role model,” SEHS head softball coach Bill Shirbroun said. “From the moment she joined our softball team, she raised the bar for us. And that wasn’t only in games, it was each and every practice.

“Kids wanted to be around her because she made everyone better.”

This past season, Myers again earned first team all-state honors on the diamond in Class 1A. She led all of Iowa with an on-base percentage of .799 — the highest mark on record for any Iowa prep in at least the last 20 years.

Myers hit .627 overall, ranking fifth in the entire state, while slugging 1.360 (fourth best in Iowa). Her 61 walks were 23 more than any other hitter across all classes.

For her senior year, Myers had 12 home runs, 38 RBI and scored 58 runs, also stealing 44 bases. In her two summers with the Gaels, Myers had 26 home runs, 74 RBI, 103 runs and 67 steals.

In her entire high school career, which also included two seasons at Fort Dodge, Myers batted .514 with 41 home runs and 168 RBI, racking up 392 total bases. She competed in four state tourneys, and made the all-tournament team all four times.

Myers was also a state runner-up in the shot put in 2024, along with previously competing in the discus at state. She qualified for the Drake Relays, and set school records in both throwing events.

In her one season with the Gael volleyball program, Myers tallied 299 kills with 310 digs and served at a nearly 90 percent clip.

“One thing I will miss about begin a Gael is the community,” Myers said. “I love being able to be a role model for the little kids.”

Myers plans to major in biology at Iowa.

The Donnelly award is named after Carol Donnelly, who was the first girl physical education instructor at St. Edmond. It has been handed out every year since 1997.

Other finalists were Payton Bradley, Josie Harvey and Ansley Oswald.

TIMEOUT WITH MARIAH MYERS

Vacation destination: Italy.

People I would like to have dinner with: my future self.

It would surprise people that I: always wanted to be a Hawkeye cheerleader.

My sports role model: Teagan Kavan.

Can’t go a day without: my breakfast yogurt.

Nickname: Soyo.

Superstition: pregame shower followed by a nap.

Main rival: Webster City.

Favorite road trip: CYO.

I’m currently listening to: Tate McRae or Sabrina Carpenter.

Favorites…

Team: Iowa Hawkeyes.

Athlete: Caitlin Clark.

Class: math.

Movie: Benchwarmers.

Book: Pride and Prejudice.

Binge watch: Gilmore Girls or Love Island.

Phone app: TikTok.

CAROL DONNELLY AWARD WINNERS

2025 Lauren Gibb, Mariah Myers

2024 Michaela Leiting

2023 Anna Kolacia

2022 Gracie Harvey

2021 Aubrey Bemrich

2020 Cambrie McBride

2019 Jacque Oberg

2018 Audrey Kolacia

2017 Megan Flattery

2016 Madi Reel

2015 Anna Yung

2014 Allison Huss

2013 Mary Eide

2012 Theresa Doyle

2011 Hillary Hotz

2010 Allison Nagel

2009 Liz Crimmins

2008 Jade Condon

2007 Rose Crimmins

2006 Dani Huss

2005 Amy Black

2004 Kelsey Clemens

2003 Abby Bianchi

2002 Kristin Shanks

2001 Beth Mann

2000 Julie Drzycimski

1999 Erin Kersten

1998 Jennifer Perkins

Theresa Yetmar

1997 Kelli Dressen