Jenny Briggs (Pritchard) poses for a photo after receiving a plaque for being inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Softball Hall of Fame during this year’s softball state tournament. She was an outstanding player for Boone in the early 2000s.                                                                                      – Photo Credits: Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union                

  – Photo Credits Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union                

A former Boone Toreadors softball player recently took their spot in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Softball Hall of Fame during this year’s state tournament. 

If you are a Boone Toreadors sports fan, you likely know the name Jenny Pritchard from the late 90s and early 2000s. Even though her name is different now, as she is now known as Jenny Briggs, her legendary high school career remains the same. During her time with Boone, Briggs racked up more than 100 wins and struck out more than 1,200 batters from the pitcher’s circle. That’s big time. 

Being inducted into any sports hall of fame is a big deal, regardless of what level of play it’s happening at. For Briggs, finding out she was receiving this honor happened in quite a unique way. 

“I received a phone call from an IGHSAU representative that I declined from an unknown number. They left a message stating they had some good news, so I called back, and they asked if I would officially accept the honor to be inducted into the state hall of fame. It felt surreal when it happened, because it has been so long since I played, and being in my 40’s now, it’s definitely one of the more exciting things to happen, and I was honored to accept,” Briggs said. 

Briggs’ career with softball is a great example of what happens when you work hard at something you are passionate about. Briggs also played at the collegiate level for Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. For Briggs, this award serves as tangible proof to her four daughters of what hard work can get you. 

“I’d say this is the best part about receiving an award at this stage of my life. It has given me an opportunity to do a little more than just tell them it pays off,” Briggs added. 

A lot has changed since Briggs’ playing days in the late 90s and early 2000s for girls’ high school sports. This year was the beginning of one major change for softball: the inclusion of the double elimination format for the state tournament. Briggs is supportive of this change. 

“Class 2A Grandview Christian is the perfect example of the beauty of double elimination in this tournament; watching them claw back with the grit and fortitude after an early loss is one of the reasons I love this game so much. I got a taste of this early on when the 12U team I played on went to the Little League World Series after an early regional loss in a double-elimination tournament. I think it’s a great decision by the IGHSAU,” Briggs said.

Just because the game has changed since her playing career officially ended doesn’t mean her memories of playing in high school have faded. For Briggs, some of her favorite memories from her playing days involve her teammates, a testament to her ability to lead. 

“I think back to my five years playing as chapters making up the best book I love to remember.  Each year with new characters, new adventures, stories of challenges and perseverance, sacrifice, camaraderie, and friendships. Everything I ever accomplished was because of who I had around me, and that’s what I will always remember about my days playing Boone softball,” Briggs added. 

Her experience at Boone in high school not only provided her with amazing memories she carries with her every day but also taught her important lessons that have helped her remain successful off the softball field. 

“Mental fortitude. Being consistently concerned with doing everything in your power to not let down your teammates helped me develop a different type of mentality in the circle. It gave me a sincere feeling of accountability, and I got five years in Boone to practice it. That, and the fact I played with so many great athletes, helped shape (my) perspective that still proves beneficial to my life as an adult,” Briggs said of what her time at Boone taught her. 

While her playing days have been over for some time, it’s clear that softball still plays an important role in Briggs’ life. She shares that three of her four daughters are playing for Waukee Fastpitch this year. For Briggs, her relationship with softball is currently right where she wants it to be. 

“I adore watching my girls show interest in learning the sport, and I most look forward to the inevitable shift that will occur as they age from learning the sport to the sport teaching them. My husband Josh coaches our 10-year-olds’ team, and we help as we can for the other kids. I think softball is going to be around in my family for at least another 10+ years, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Briggs said. 

Of course, Briggs still has that love for her former high school and offers sound advice to current players on how they can continue working hard toward success on the field, with two important notes: work hard and have fun. 

“It’s hard to do one without the other. But to take it a step further, any advice I would have would be to harness the power of your mind as young as you can so you have longer to master its power and let it work for you. So many things as athletes we try to put solely on our physical capability, and we forget how powerful our mental contribution is. When the game is over, and your mind is more exhausted than your body, you will know you’ve arrived,” Briggs added. 

Briggs’ career was more than spectacular enough to land her in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Softball Hall of Fame, as her name will be etched in the record books for everyone to see. Like all good athletes, Briggs gives credit to the amazing people who were around her and helped her become the successful person she was and still is. 

“I do believe the biggest reason for my success was the system I had around me. My parents got me the lessons, found places for me to practice all year, exposed me to great resources, and positioned me well to be able to compete. My dad and uncle John would scout teams and hitters, formulate unique pitch calling plans, and help me learn visualizing and mental strength. Without their sacrifices, I would not be receiving this honor,” Briggs concluded. 

Briggs was inducted into the 2026 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Softball Hall of Fame alongside Krista Unger from Missouri Valley, Susan Slycord from Valley, and Skylar Shellmyer from Urbandale. 

Briggs’ career with the Boone Toreadors softball program spanned from 1997-2002.