Bison ink athletes in early signing season –

Multiple athletes signed letters of intent to attend North Dakota State University in the early signing period which opened last Wednesday. Wednesday was the first day of the one-week early signing period for Division I basketball and the initial signing date for all other Division I sports except football.

Women’s Golf –

Norah Roberts – will join the Bison in the fall of 2023 and was a four-year letter winner at Union Grove High School in Wisconsin.

“Norah is a very talented golfer who has shown an ability to compete and win against top competition,” head coach Matt Johnson said. “She will bring a wealth of experience to our team, and I expect her to make a significant impact right away.”

Men’s Basketball –

Head coach David Richman announced Wednesday that Darik Dissette, a guard from Minot, N.D., and Eli Bradley, a guard from Las Vegas, Nev., will continue their education and compete at North Dakota State.

“Darik’s infectious energy and passion for life and the game of basketball really stood out to us in the recruiting process, and those things will make him and his family a great fit with our Bison Family,” Richman said. “Darik’s relentless motor, along with his size, strength and skill will allow us to use him many ways on both ends of the floor.”

“Eli’s genuine approach to life and all of his relationships, along with his ties to NDSU and the Fargo-Moorhead community, make him and his family a natural fit into our Bison Basketball Family,” said Richman. “Eli has an elite skillset with his smooth lefty stroke. Combine that with his drive and his understanding of the development process, and his best basketball is ahead of him.”

Women’s Basketball –

Head coach Jory Collins has announced the addition of four players on signing day.

Taryn Hamling, Miriley Simon, Avery Koenen and Abby Krzewinski are set to join the Bison in the fall of 2023.

“Obviously, a familiar last name to our fanbase,” said Collins. “Taryn is a combo guard from Grand Rapids, Minn. We think she’s one of the best shooters in the Midwest and is open as soon as she walks in the gym. Her ability to stretch the floor will benefit her teammates and our offense in general. She played for her mom, Kris, at Grand Rapids High School, so her basketball IQ and feel for the game are terrific. It will be fun having two Hamlings on the team together and we’re excited they will get to play together.”

“We were so excited to get a local talent like Miriley,” said Collins. “She is a great athlete for her size, her soccer background has given her tremendous feet and ability to maneuver in small spaces.  For a young post player, Miriley has great touch, plays physical, and will be a good three-point shooter as well. She has a very high ceiling and the work ethic to go with it.

“For us, Avery is one of the best all-around athletes in the upper Midwest, and for sure in the state of Minnesota,” said Collins. “You could see early in high school that she was going to run and jump at a high level. These past two AAU seasons she’s made big strides in basketball skill and feel for better competition. She could play up to three positions for us at 6-2. As a top 200 kid nationally, she will have a chance to leave a major impact on NDSU women’s basketball.”

“Abby is a strong, fast, versatile player,” said Collins. “What stands out about Abby is how hard she plays on both ends of the floor. She has really good length and plays with a toughness we like. As we continue to try and play faster she brings athleticism to our transition offense. She brings position versatility as well and will be able to fit into multiple spots for us.”

Softball –

Head coach Darren Mueller has announced the signing of six student-athletes on signing day to the program for the 2023-24 signing class.

The Bison add three from the state of Minnesota; Addie Bowers, Macy Fry, and Madison Wihlm, along with three from California; Star Cortez, Kaitlyn Dunford, and Jasmyn Yessian.

Addie Bowers has had a prolific career at Saint James under head coach Sam Baumgartener … Heading into her senior season, tossed over 400 innings in the circle with 47 wins and 709 career strikeouts, posting a 1.9 era … Has tossed 13 career no-hitters, including three perfect games and has a career-high 19 strikeouts in a 7-inning game … Three first-team all-conference and all-section honors in eighth grade, sophomore and junior seasons.

Star Cortezhas played primarily as a middle infielder and outfielder for Grand Terrace High under Bobby Flores and her club program, Explosion, under the direction of Rey Sanchez, alongside fellow signee Kaitlyn Dunford … Played for Team Mexico-White at the TCS International Challenge … Earned first-team All-Sunkist Conference honors during her junior season while also lettering in golf…holds a 4.0 GPA and has received a Biliteracy Seal.

Kaitlyn Dunford was named the No. 23 pitcher in the class by Extra Innings Softball … Also plays heavily at first base … Primarily plays for her club program, Explosion, under the direction of Rey Sanchez, alongside fellow signee Star Cortez … Pitched for Crescenta Valley High School as a freshman before moving to club full time.

Macy Fry played primarily as an outfielder under head coach Tiffany Rose at Rosemount High … Also pitched and played at third base … Did not play as a junior, but hit .397 with 32 hits, six doubles, two triples, three home runs, 28 runs scored, 17 RBIs and six stolen bases during her sophomore season on her way to First Team All-State and First Team All-South Suburban Conference accolades.

Madison Wihlm played primarily as a pitcher under Jim Koltes at Maple Grove … Also played in the outfield and corner infield positions … As a junior, tossed 129 innings, limiting opponents to a .118 batting average against with 227 strikeouts and a 1.69 earned run average … Went on to earn First Team All-Conference honors during junior season, as well as all-section honors, CCX All-Area Team and Maple Grove’s Defensive MVP. Has earned four straight years of A Honor Roll and academic letters …

Jasmyn Yessian plays at the high school level for Beckman High, under the direction of Lou Simon … Split time behind the plate and on the left side of the infield at third and short … Two-year captain at Beckman, earning First Team All-Pacific Coast League as a sophomore and junior, as well as Pacific Coast League MVP honors last season … Hit .510 as a junior, slugging 1.067 with 11 home runs and nine doubles … Had 38 total hits with 32 RBI and 43 runs scored in 75 at bats…has been named to the Principals Honor Roll and a Scholar-Athlete all three years at Beckman.

Volleyball –

Head coach Jennifer Lopez has announced the addition of three players on signing day. Ari Blohm, Emma Tallman and Lauren Jansen are set to join the Bison in the fall of 2023.

“Ari is a middle blocker out of Stewartville, Minn., and plays for one of the top club programs in the state,” said head coach Jennifer Lopez. “She’s got great size and a strong physical presence that is needed in that position. Ari’s got a blue-collar, nose-to-the-grindstone type of mentality and she is going to be fun to watch in the BBF.”

“Emma has the length and size that we are looking for as we continue to add to our middle and pin positions,” said Lopez. “She’s an aggressive blocker and her skillset as a middle has only continued to develop in really strong ways.”

“Lauren is an extremely dynamic and versatile pin attacker who plays smart and finds ways to score,” said Lopez. “Her ball control and ability to read and anticipate on the defensive end will be a huge addition to our program.”

Wrestling –

Head coach Roger Kish has announced the signing of five to the 2023-24 signee class. The Bison bring in five wrestlers from across the country, with signees from Arizona, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Luke Barker claimed the 2022 Kansas 61 State Championship after a 41-1 season as a junior under Tate Lowe at Dodge City … Two-time state champion overall, as well as a three-time state finalist … Posted a career record of 114-12 …Member of the National Honor Society and earned WAC All-Academic Team honors.

Boeden Greenley is a four-time State Champion under Richard Lacina and Kevin McCleary at Lisbon … Most recently claimed the 160-pound Class B North Dakota State Championship after a 43-0 season … Has a 208-11 career record, including a 97-3 dual record … Posted a third-place finish at the state championships as a seventh grader …Holds the state record for most consecutive wins, currently at 172 … School record in most consecutive wins, career wins, single-season wins, career takedowns, and career pins.

Zane Licht claimed the Wisconsin State Championship after a 50-1 junior season at Lodi under head coach Cody Endres … Named the Capital Conference Wrestler of the Year as a junior … Recorded a second-place finish at the state championships as a sophomore … Placed fourth overall at the 17U US Open Championships.

Markell Rivera-Cain is coming off of an undefeated 33-0 season at Ironwood that included 26 pins … Has a career record of 108-5, including a 58-0 dual record with 75 pins and six tech falls … Has a career total of 133 takedowns and 149 near falls … Owns the school pin record with 36 in a season … Has a career pin percentage of 78.8. Carter Schmidt is coming off of a 41-0 state championship-winning season as a junior at Belgrade under the direction of Bryce Weatherston … Also has a Montana State runner-up finish and a sixth-place finish … Posted a career record of 89-6 in three seasons … Two-time Academic All-State honoree.

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