2025‑26 Peoria Girls Coach of the Year Finalists

This summer’s Journal Star poll wraps up with a final matchup for the Peoria‑area high school Girls Coach of the Year award. Readers have been asked to pick top teams, standout coaches and elite athletes across the 2025‑26 season, and now the field is narrowed to six nominees. The voting window closes at noon Thursday, so fans can still influence which coach is crowned the region’s best.

In the boys category, Metamora track and field coach Sheridan Ray captured the fans’ choice last week, but today the focus shifts to the female leaders who guided their teams to historic runs. Each of the six contenders brought unique stories of breakthrough seasons, program records and personal accolades that set them apart.

Patrick Gornik – Dunlap Girls Tennis

Gornik’s squad made school history by finishing second in the Class 1A tennis tournament, the deepest run ever for a local girls team. Sophomore Anna Yu, named the Journal Star Girls Tennis Player of the Year, became the first Peoria‑area singles competitor to reach a state championship match. Yu contributed 12 of Dunlap’s 28 points, with doubles partners Isabella Gusso and Katherine Brewer adding eight more, singles standout Alassea Michel tallying five, and the pairing of Melaina Humbles and Berkeley Stigall securing three points.

Tiffany Klaus – Tremont Girls Volleyball

Klaus guided the Turks to an unexpected run that culminated in a fourth‑place finish, the best ever for the program. Tremont posted a 23‑19 record, upset two No. 1 seeds and a No. 3 seed en route to the Final Four. The biggest win came in the Elite Eight when they downed top‑seeded Hartsburg‑Emden in a three‑set classic before falling to eventual champion Cissna Park in the semifinals and Norris City in the third‑place match. Sophomore Nora Parsons earned a spot on the Journal Star Small‑School All‑Area Team.

Joni Nightingale – Deer Creek‑Mackinaw Girls Basketball

Nightingale’s Chiefs captured the Class 1A state title, ending a streak of consecutive sectional losses at the Class 2A level. The 34‑3 squad won the championship game by 15 points and posted double‑digit victories in both state semifinal contests. After four blowout wins, the team needed a nail‑biter against Wethersfield in the supersectional to secure its place in the finals. Senior Dalia Dejesus was the offensive engine, receiving Journal Star Small‑School Player of the Year honors for her season.

Kim Barth – Washington Girls Basketball

Barth delivered Washington’s first state championship in the Class 3A division, posting a 35‑2 record and averaging nearly 30 points per victory in the postseason. Four seniors—Avery Tibbs, Becca McDougall, Mazzy O’Brien and Dani Guedet—anchored the lineup, joined by freshman sensation Kate McDougall. Tibbs captured the Journal Star Large‑School Player of the Year award, while Guedet, O’Brien and Becca McDougall all earned All‑Area honors.

Zach Statham – Morton Girls Soccer

Statham turned Morton into a national contender, leading the Potters to a Class 2A state‑runner‑up finish and program’s first Final Four appearance. The squad posted a 26‑2‑1 record and set an Illinois HS Association mark with 19 consecutive shutouts. In his inaugural season, Statham broke through with standout all‑stars Abby Brooks, Madi Greiner and 37‑goal scorer Claire Ceresa, all of whom earned spots on the Journal Star Girls Soccer All‑Area team.

Germaine Fairchild – Dunlap Girls Softball

Fairchild returned Dunlap to the state semifinals after a 34‑year absence, finishing the season 30‑10. The Mid‑Illini Conference squad secured dramatic walk‑off wins in the supersectional and recorded three shutout postseason victories, including double‑digit wins in regional and sectional play. Despite losing to eventual champion Antioch in the semis and Oak Park Fenwick 1‑0 in the third‑place game, the season featured Illinois signee Sutton Centoni earning Journal Star Softball Player of the Year honors and Lexi Hamer landing an All‑Area spot.

The six coaches each left a lasting mark on their programs, and fans still have a few hours to cast their ballots. Head to pjstar.com/sports before Thursday noon to help decide which leader takes home the 2025‑26 Peoria Journal Star Girls Coach of the Year title.