Dupage Policy Journal

Carthage junior outfielder Clare Rettler and Illinois Wesleyan senior shortstop Jen Kuhn have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America First Team. The announcement was made Wednesday evening during the NCAA Division III Championship banquet in Bloomington, Illinois.

The NFCA All-America teams are determined by votes from the Association’s All-America Committees. In Division III, this committee includes one member head coach from each of the NCAA’s 10 regions. Eligibility for consideration requires nomination by a member head coach and selection to the first, second, or third team All-Region squads. This year’s All-America squads include 26 seniors, 13 juniors, 10 sophomores, four graduate students, and two freshmen.

Clare Rettler led Carthage with an impressive performance throughout the 2025 season. With 169 at-bats, she collected 124 hits, 31 RBIs, and scored 67 runs. Her .618 batting average was the highest in NCAA Division III. Additionally, she led in on-base percentage (.646) and ranked third in stolen bases per game (1.20).

Rettler achieved two significant hitting streaks this season: a 32-game streak that tied for sixth all-time in NCAA Division III with Lisa Cancilla of Chapman from 1996; and a consecutive hit streak of twelve beginning with standout performances against Augustana and North Central in early April. Rettler also earned All-CCIW First Team honors for her achievements this season.

Jen Kuhn's season was equally notable as she recorded a career-best .449 batting average with 70 hits including 17 doubles and eight home runs while driving in 57 runs and scoring another 38 for Illinois Wesleyan. She led her team in several categories including hits, doubles, RBIs, slugging percentage (.712), and on-base percentage (.473). Defensively strong as well, Kuhn maintained a fielding percentage of .983 with only three errors over the season.

Kuhn's efforts secured her a place as First Team All-CCIW pick along with being named CCIW Defensive Player of the Year due to her solid defensive play at shortstop. Her remarkable statistics rank among some of IWU's best historical marks.