Top 10 most improved softball teams in Nebraska

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Watch this amazing grab as the outfielder refuses to give up.


As each season gets set to unfold, several softball teams make an adjustment or two, or return a ton of talent, and make large strides in the won-loss column. An upgrade in wins leads to a certain climb in the polls as well.

Using MaxPreps Nebraska High School Softball Computer Rankings, presented by the Army National Guard, we tracked each Cornhusker State softball program's ranking this season versus its ranking from a year ago to see which 10 programs have improved the most since last fall.

The data shows Lincoln East earned the nod as Nebraska's "Most Improved Softball Program" with its 36-rung climb in MaxPreps' Cornhusker State softball poll regardless of class. Fremont kept it close with a 35-notch climb to 39th, while Nebraska City was right on the heels of the Tigers after improving 34-rungs to 57th.

North Platte, No. 6 in this week's poll, is the only member to have qualified for the state softball tournament a year ago. The Bulldogs upset No. 2 seed Beatrice 5-3 in opening-round action before losing to eventual Class B runner-up Elkhorn South 13-2 in the second round and 8-0 to Hastings in the consolation rounds.

North Platte may face fellow Top 10 team Alliance later this week when District B-6 action begins. The Bulldogs, 19-20 a year ago, will take the No. 1 seed into this week's tournament. Meanwhile, Lincoln East has claimed the No. 2 seed in District A-7 action with defending Class A champion Omaha Marian earning the top seed.

This week's Top 10 No. 5 Waverly will compete in possibly the toughest district of this Top 10's members. Including the Vikings, five schools ranked in MaxPreps' Top 10 will compete in District B-4 action for a berth in next week's state softball tournament.

MaxPreps ninth-ranked David City Aquinas, also listed this week, is set to compete in District C-3, which includes MaxPreps top-ranked Raymond Central and No. 2 Malcolm.

District action in all three classes (A, B and C) gets under way this Thursday with the state tournament set to commence Wednesday, October 12 and continue through the 14th.


1. Lincoln East
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 54th (14-20)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 18th (21-12)

2. Fremont
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 74th (7-23)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 39th (17-12)

3. Nebraska City
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 89th (4-21)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 57th (6-15)

4. Alliance
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 106th (1-21)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 78th (9-13)

5. Waverly
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 41st (10-15)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 15th (16-8)

6. North Platte
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 39th (19-20)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 14th (20-9) 7. Cass County Central (Louisville)
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 93rd (6-23)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 69th (11-13)

8. Aquinas (David City)
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 68th (14-17)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 46th (16-6)

8. Wisner-Pilger (Wisner)
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 84th (14-18)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 62nd (17-10)

10. Lincoln
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 104th (4-27)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 85th (8-21)

10. Boone Central/Newman Grove (Albion)
Final 2015-16 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 107th (4-31)
2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 88th (13-16)