WINTER HAVEN – After putting together consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in more than a decade, Polk State Softball has the look of a program on the rise. As he enters his fourth season, Head Coach Kevin Lewis believes a star-studded incoming recruiting class will ultimately put the Eagles over the top.

In addition to returning All-Citrus Conference performer Kirsten Aldridge, Polk State's group of incoming freshmen is perhaps the most accomplished that the program has ever seen. Despite posting its highest win total in a decade in 2025 with a 29-30 record, Polk State is still looking for its first postseason berth since 2015.

"We're pretty excited," Lewis said. "The sky really is the limit for this team, but our success will depend on how hard they're willing to work. Hard work is the culture that we have created."

This year's class features a plethora of players from talent-rich Florida, including locally in Polk County. In fact, four Polk State signees recently played for the East team at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Classic in DeLand on May 28 and 29. Polk State signee Athena Childs, a catcher from Crystal River, earned MVP honors for her team.

"It was special to get to meet my new Polk State teammates," Childs said. "As soon as we realized we were all teammates, we kind of bonded and got closer."

During the game, Childs went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored.

"I chose Polk because I knew how competitive this class is going to be," she continued. "I wanted to go somewhere I would be pushed to be my best and Polk State felt like that place."

Polk County talents Keira Davis, an outfielder from Lake Wales High School, and Ryleigh Knowlton, a pitcher from Bartow High School, were among Childs' future teammates to be chosen for the East team. Davis was recently named the Polk County Hitter of the Year by The Ledger while Knowlton took home Polk County Pitcher of the Year honors.

"I wanted to attend Polk State because of the relationships I've made with the coaching staff," Davis said. "They recruited me for a long time. Coach Lewis' goals aligned with my goals."

"Being able to keep the Polk County kids here and have them excited to play at Polk State again is very exciting," Lewis added. "We were intentional about the way we assembled this team – position by position. This will be the most complete team I've had here at Polk."

Infielder Kamya Brassell, from Avon Park, is also a Polk State signee who played in the classic in DeLand. Davis played against Knowlton in recent years. Davis and Brassell were already travel ball teammates with CRUSH Fastpitch.

"It was nice for us all to get to know Athena a little bit," Davis explained. "Since a lot of us know each other, I think the chemistry between us will already be there. I'm excited to get to play at the next level and to improve every day. I want to get on the radar of a good four-year program and continue playing after my two years at Polk State."

While most of Lewis' incoming talent is from the Sunshine State, he has been able to find talent elsewhere as well. Teammates and best friends Mollie Johnston and Kenzie Mingus from Bullitt East High School in Mount Washington, Ky. were each named All-Region.

"On our visit, Coach Lewis and the team were all very welcoming," Johnston explained. "I felt so comfortable with the team and coaches. To continue playing with my best friend is a dream come true."

In addition to the Kentucky teammates earning All-Region, Johnston was the Sixth Region Player of the Year. She was later named the Louisville-Area Player of the Year by the Courier Journal.

"It was such a blessing," Johnston said of the recognition. "I've worked so hard. It's exciting for someone from our school to earn that honor."

Lewis has had success recruiting in the Bluegrass State previously. Recent graduate Leia Hurst, from Carlisle, Ky., was a two-year starter at catcher and earned All-Conference accolades as a freshman in 2025. Lacey Osborne, from Lawrenceburg, Ky., returns after hitting .281 as a freshman and ranking third on the team with five home runs and second with 32 RBIs. She also became the first Polk State player in seven years to hit a walk-off home run – a feat she accomplished twice.

"Kentucky to Florida is such a big change but I just can't wait for the experience," Johnston added. "Coach Lewis is such a personality. There were no dull moments during our visit. You can tell he really cares about his players and that he motivates them without tearing them down."

In a conference that had six teams finish nationally ranked and a region that had four teams make the national NJCAA Tournament, Lewis realizes the importance of talent acquisition. With 12 wins over nationally ranked teams over the last two seasons, Polk State has already proven it can play with the nation's best. The next step is doing so consistently and getting back to the postseason.

"It would be great to break records, but most of all, I want to win," Childs concluded. "I want to help Polk State get further than it has ever been. There's a lot of talent coming in. I know we're going to be a dominant team."