Sophomore pitcher Calista Stahlhut has been named the UIS Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month for February 2026 after a dominant stretch in the circle for the Prairie Stars.

Stahlhut went 5-0 across 7 appearances in February, pitching 37.1 innings with a 0.72 ERA while allowing just three earned runs on 20 hits. She struck out 36 batters and issued only 12 walks, recording four complete games during the stretch.

On Feb. 23, Stahlhut was recognized as GLVC Pitcher of the Week after a dominant two-game stretch at the Capital City McDonald's Classic. She threw two complete games, going 15 innings without allowing an earned run. Against Davenport, Stahlhut scattered three hits across seven innings with seven strikeouts and just two unearned runs allowed. She followed that performance with an eight-inning shutout of Ohio Dominican, allowing five hits and striking out six as the Prairie Stars secured a 1-0 walk-off victory in the eighth inning against the regional opponent. 

Stahlhut also contributed offensively, going 5-for-13 (.385) with two doubles and two runs scored.

UIS Softball went 10-3 during the month of February, starting 2-2 at the Chattanooga Invitational before returning home and winning eight of its next nine games. 

Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month
Athlete of the Month honorees will be recognized at the annual UIS Athletics banquet and will also be considered for UIS Male, Female, or Rookie of the Year, based on their respective categories.

The Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month award is presented in partnership with Jimmy John's in Springfield, reflecting a shared commitment between Jimmy John's and UIS Athletics to celebrate excellence across all Prairie Stars programs.

February 2026 Nominees
Calista Stahlhut, Softball
Emme Steward, Softball
Rosie Bartletti, Softball
Tommy Atkinson, Baseball
Corey Boyette, Baseball
Ben Benoit, Baseball
Isaac Graf, Baseball
Madelyn Miller-Ross, Women's Indoor Track & Field
Isaac Cortes, Men's Indoor Track & Field
Kennedy Osterman, Women's Basketball
Julia Mingus, Women's Basketball
Kayla Rice, Women's Basketball
Jordan Rice, Men's Basketball
Alex Stell, Men's Basketball
Cristina Mendoza Romero, Women's Tennis
Lin En Tan, Men's Tennis
Pablo Herrera, Men's Tennis