The Northern State soccer team has signed eight student-athletes for the upcoming 2013 season.
The signing class includes Anna Bondy (Pierre), Shayli Kirsch (Watertown), Michaela "Kay" Hernandez (Austin, Texas.), Stephanie Carillo (Ronert Park, Calif.), Bobyye Pendelton (Anchorage, Alaska), Elle Bruno (Madison, Ala.), Allison Johnston (League City, Texas) and Cydney Martin (Bozeman, Mont.).
"This is a fantastic class for us and it was a complete group effort as the entire campus community had a hand in their recruitment." NSU soccer coach Steve Kehm said. "I would especially like to thank our coaching staff, players, admissions counselors and the professors who took the time to meet with them. We are really excited about this group and are looking forward to getting them on campus. They are all proven winners with great experience at both the club and high school level. On top of being good people they are all solid student-athletes and we are excited about what they can do for the campus, the community and soccer program."
Bondy was a three-time Class AA all-state selection, while also being selected to the South Dakota Elite Eleven AA team in 2012 and the South Dakota Olympic Development Team. As a high school player since seventh grade, Anna capped off her senior season as a team captain while compiling the most goals and assists for the Governors in each season.
Kirsch is a five-year letter at Watertown and played six years of high school for the Arrows as a midfieler. She was awarded the Spirit Award in her junior season while being named team MVP defense, team captain and all-state honorable mention in her senior campaign.
Hernandez was a four year letter winner in high school. The forward/midfielder was a second team All-District and academic All-District selection. As a member of the No. 1 ranked Lonestars 95G Red in Texas South, Hernandez has played games in both the Southern Premier League and Premier League West as the team's leading scorer.
Carillo is a transfer from Napa Valley College. She finished her high school career as a four year varsity player at Rancho Cotati High School while also receiving second team all-conference honors. At two year team captain at Napa Valley, Carillo was undefeated in her freshmen season as a member of the team defense who only allowed three goals in the season. She was named to both the first and second team All-Conference rosters in her two years.
Pendelton, a defenseman from Diamond High School, received many awards and accomplishments throughout her high school career participating in both soccer and volleyball. She racked up all-region first team and second team, all-state first and second team, all-state honorable mention, Team MVP, state high for goals scored (29), Region Champion and State Champion honors in soccer.
Bruno was a team captain and midfielder for the Bob Jones High School. Her senior campaign, Bruno was named to the Birmingham News All-State Girls Soccer Team honorable mention, an ASHSAA North South All-Star Team pick as well as the recipient of the Bob Jones Patriot Award, given for 100% effort in skill and attitude. Bruno's brother is current NSU wrestler Anthony Bruno.
Johnston was a goal keeper for Clear Springs High School in League City, making it to regionals in three seasons. In addition, Johnston has made regional appearances in cross country, track and wrestling throughout her career.
Martin was a midfielder out of Bozeman High School. She was a team captain, Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee, Montana Super State Designation honoree, Montana all-stater and state champion. In addition she was also named to the Montana All-Conference team in the 2011 season.
Northern State will begin their 2013 campaign on the road taking on Washburn University, in Topeka, Kan., and Northwest Missouri State, in Maryville, Mo., before returning home for their yearly match-up with Jamestown College.
Staff reports
NSIC golf championships
Northern State will head for some warmer weather this weekend.
The Wolves will compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference spring championships this Saturday and Sunday at the Paradise Point Golf Complex in Kansas City, Mo. The meet was orginally slated for the Jewel Golf Course in Lake City, Minn., but the coaches decided to move it to Missouri due to the weather. NSU has not had much time on the courses in Aberdeen due to the weather. The team has been practing hitting golf balls into nets at the Barnett Center.
"We decided to move the event down there," NSU coach Mike Brown said about himself and the conference coaches, "where there won't be any snow."
The course is also somewhat of a neutral setting for all the teams. Brown said that Upper Iowa is the only conference team with any experience at the course.
"It is really nice for us to see something brand new," Brown said.
The Wolves will leave for Missouri early on Friday morning and will have a practice round the day before the meet. The two days of the tournament will be 8 a.m. shotguns starts. The Wolves will take five golfers, but only four of the scores will count towards the team standings.
The spring championships is a carry over from the fall championships in October at Brainerd, Minn. The Wolves are ninth place out of 12 teams from the fall tournament. NSU is only 10 strokes away from sixth place Concordia-St. Paul.
It will be the last meet for NSU's three seniors - Curry Kuehl, Joe Klipfel and Rob Smith.
"I wish those guys the best and I'm really hoping that they can step up for us before our season officially ends," Brown said.
Sports writer Ryan Deal
Quickly
NBA prospect Nate Wolters of South Dakota State has signed with Knoxville-based Allegiant Athletic Agency. His agent will be Jared Karnes, who also represents Ramon Sessions of the Charlotte Bobcats.
Augustana head men's basketball coach Tom Billeter won the national DII coach of the year award named for Clarence "Big House" Gaines. Billeter became the all-time winningest men's basketbll coach (166-124 in 10 seasons) in Augustana history this season surpassing athletic director Bill Gross (153-104 in nine seasons).
Northern State recruit and Watertown senior Tanner Heiser made the Argus Leader first five statewide basketball team. Dupree senior Nate Widow made the second team.
Lewis-Clark State's Brandon Rinta won the 2013 Don Meyer National Coach of the Year award presented annually to the top NAIA men's basketball coach.
South Dakota native and Marshall University history professor recently wrote a 200-page book on the successful coaching career of Amherst native Rollie Greeno of Jamestown College: The Coach and the College, $20 at ndsu.edu/ahss/ndirs.
College Plus is a weekly feature on Tuesdays in the American News during the college sports season. If you have news tips or suggestions, email jpapendick@aberdeennews.com or call 605-622-2323.