Sheldon High School out of California claimed the top spot in the inaugural USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25 Poll of 2008, the association announced Thursday. Softball hotbeds California, Florida, and Texas each have four teams in the year’s first poll. 

Sheldon, which is off to a 12-1 start to the season, returns to the poll after finishing 2007 at No. 6. Eau Gallie (Fla.) claimed second after starting the season with a 22-0 record, and Aledo (Texas) took the third position following a 23-1 start to the year. The state of California is represented again at No. 4 with 12-1 Santiago filling the spot. Broad Run (Va.) begins 2008 in the same position they ended 2007 in as they round out the top 5. 

Chamberlin is off to a 15-0 start and is ranked No. 6, followed by Kennedy (Calif.), and Canyon del Oro (Ariz.), which finished last season as the No. 2 team in the nation. Plano (Texas) and St. Amant (La.) are Nos. 9 and 10 respectively. 

Butler (N.C.) is back in the Top 25 at No. 11 after finishing 2007 in tenth. Pembroke Pines Charter (Fla.) and Lubbock Coronado (Texas) are in the 12th and 13th positions. Shadle Park (Wash.) comes in at No. 14, followed by 25-2 Sparkman (Ala.). 

Ooltewah (Tenn.) finds itself at No. 16 with Wren (S.C.) debuting at No. 17. Byrd (La.), Valencia (Calif.), and Sandburg (Ill.) fill out Nos. 18-20. 

Smithson Valley (Texas), St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), Ryle (Ky.), Cibola (N.M.), and South Panola (Miss.) rounds out the poll which will run weekly through June 19. 

The rankings were compiled by representatives and committees from each state across the nation.