LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Illinois Wesleyan University softball's senior shortstop Anna Beckman (Bourbonnais, Ill.-Bishop McNamara) hauled one of the most prestigious honors in the sport Thursday, May 28, as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced its 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove winners.
Beckman is the fourth Titan in program history to reel in the prestigious honor, joining Ava Khoury and Casey Wissmiller, who grabbed the nod in 2024, and Jen Kuhn's 2025 selection. All four honorees have come courtesy of the infield, with Beckman and Kuhn going back-to-back at shortstop. Overall, IWU's four selections are second-most across Division III since the awards expansion in 2024.
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Moving from her role as IWU's starting centerfielder, where she was a Gold Glove nominee, Beckman did not miss a beat in her move into the infield. Stepping in as the Titans' everyday starter at shortstop following Kuhn's graduation, Beckman followed suit with highlight-reel plays as she compiled a .961 fielding percentage.
In all, Beckman recorded 57 putouts and 92 assists to six errors while turning 10 double plays. She was a key part of IWU's defense as the Titans compiled a team fielding percentage of .971, the 16th-best in all of Division III. Beckman's play up the middle was a key piece of IWU's 19 double plays turned through the year, good for 15th-most nationally.
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the 10 regional representatives of the NFCA's NCAA Division III All-America Committee, following regional voting to identify the finalists at each position. The group utilized fielding statistics and school-submitted video to closely examine finalists and select the winners at every defensive position.
Any student-athlete who competed in the current championship year and was nominated by their head coach who is a member in good standing with the NFCA was eligible for consideration for this prestigious accolade.
2026 NCAA Division III Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, presented by the NFCA
- Pitcher: Emma Adams, Virginia Wesleyan University
- Catcher: Rylee Dunkin, Central College
- First base: Haley Leimbach, Tufts University
- Second base: Caelee Clark, Texas Lutheran University
- Third base: Mallory Pyle, East Texas Baptist University
- Shortstop: Anna Beckman, Illinois Wesleyan University
- Left field: Sam Flowers, Salisbury University
- Center field: Payton Dolecki, University of Wisconsin-Stout
- Right field: Karley Trine, Trine University
About Rawlings
Established in 1887, Rawlings is an innovative leading global brand and manufacturer of premium baseball and softball equipment, including gloves, balls and protective headwear. Rawlings' quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings.
Rawlings is the Official Baseball, Helmet, Face Guard and Glove of Major League Baseball, the Official Baseball of Minor League Baseball and the Official Baseball and Softball of the NCAA and the NAIA. The company is headquartered in St. Louis. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com.
The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels, from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and the National Convention.
