Former Iowa High School Softball Coach Sentenced, Speaks Publicly About Case

Former West Lyon High School softball coach Alexis Severson has been sentenced after pleading guilty to two charges in a sexual exploitation case involving a student.

Severson, 27, received a deferred judgment, according to KCAU. She previously coached West Lyon to the 2025 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 2A state championship game.

Severson initially pleaded not guilty in late 2025 after being charged with three counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee and one count of grooming. She later entered guilty pleas to one count of sexual exploitation by a school employee and one count of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist.

Severson Receives Deferred Judgment, Probation

Severson was placed on probation for two to five years and ordered to pay a statutory civil penalty of slightly more than $1,000, according to KCAU. She also must undergo a mental health evaluation and complete any treatment recommended by health care professionals and her probation officer.

The Northwest Iowa Review reported that Severson was also ordered to pay an $855 fine and complete a sex-offender evaluation. The outlet reported that the student involved was a senior on West Lyon's softball team at the time.

Prosecutor, Defense Attorney Address Sentencing

“Time goes on. Supervision ends,” said Lyon County attorney Nolan McGowan, who represented the state of Iowa in the case. “If this defendant is granted deferred judgment, it’s entirely possible that someday she will be able to convince school authorities somewhere else that she is a worthy person of coaching athletics, and that should not be permitted to happen.”

Along with her attorney, Jared Weber, Severson appeared in the Lyon County Courthouse in Rock Rapids to receive her sentencing earlier this week.

“I don’t think jail time in a case like this has any deterrent effect on somebody who will, for the next 10 years, as the court knows, have to register on a sex offender registry,” Weber said.

According to reports, a no-contact order between Severson and the student also remains in place.

Severson Says She Accepts Responsibility

During the sentencing, Severson offered up a statement, thanking those who remained by her side through it all.

“Their support has reminded me that I still have the opportunity to become a better person,” she said. “I pled guilty because I accept responsibility for what I did. I cannot change the past, but I can choose who I become going forward.”

Severson, a 2017 Rock Valley High School graduate, became West Lyon's head softball coach before the 2024 season. She compiled a 52-6 record over two seasons and led the Wildcats to the Class 2A state championship game in 2025.

West Lyon did not renew Severson's coaching contract following the 2025 season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google