University of Northern Iowa Athletics
2026 Softball Roster
Roster
Ella Smithson
- Position:
- First Base
- Class:
- Sophomore
- High School:
- Johnston HS
- Hometown:
- Granger, Iowa
2026: MVC Scholar-Athlete Team … Appeared in 29 games, making 25 starts at first base for the Panthers … Recorded nine hits over the season, including five doubles … Scored 20 runs and drove in 10 with 14 total bases … Recorded a .974 fielding percentage, with 189 putouts and an assist in 194 chances … Batted in a season-high three runs against Lamar (2/21).
2025: MVC All-Defensive Team … MVC Honor Roll ... Appeared in 37 games making 30 starts … Batted .256 with 21 hits and 12 runs in 82 at-bats and 13 walks … Recorded a .390 slugging percentage with three home runs, including a grand slam against Drake (4/15), and two doubles … Led the Panthers with 267 putouts and three assists in 273 chances for a .989 fielding percentage … Recorded a season-high 3 hits at Wofford (2/25) and 14 putouts three times ... Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete.
HIGH SCHOOL: Five-year letterwinner playing first base at Johnston High School under coach Todd Merical … Three year first team All-Conference (2021,2022,2024) ... Second team All-Conference (2023) ... Four year 5A All-District (2021-24) ... Three year 5A All-State (2021-2023) ... 5A first team All State (2023) ... CIML Conference Champions (2022) ... Also played Volleyball earning CIML third team All-Conference (2023), an Honorable Mention (2021), and two year State qualifier (2021,2023) ... A four time track state qualifier (2021-2024) … Earned a 4.1 GPA … Four year Johnson Achievement (2020-2024) ... Two year IGHSA Academic Achievement (2021-2022, 2023-2024) ... Three year National Honor Society (2022,2023,2024).
PERSONAL: Daughter of Abby and Todd Smithson … Has one sibling, Ava, who played Softball for UNI … Majoring in Biomedical Sciences.
