Volleyball

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska volleyball program and Head Coach John Cook announced the 2020 signing class on Wednesday, the first day of the National Letter of Intent November signing period.

The Huskers' 2020 class includes 6-3 middle blocker Kalynn Meyer (Superior, Neb.), 5-9 setter Annika Evans (Waverly, Neb.) and 6-4 middle blocker/opposite hitter Abby Johnson (Aviston, Ill.).

"We are very pleased with the caliber of athletes who make up our 2020 class," Cook said. "We are adding three outstanding young women that will undoubtedly have a very positive impact on the Nebraska volleyball program. Kalynn, Anni and Abby exemplify what it means to be a Husker, and we believe they will represent Nebraska with pride."

Meyer is ranked the No. 21 overall prospect according to PrepVolleyball.com. She was named an Under Armour First-Team All-American this fall, becoming the first native Nebraskan to earn the distinction since Kadie and Amber Rolfzen in 2012. Meyer is a two-time Lincoln Journal Star Girls Athlete of the Year and a two-time Nebraska Gatorade Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year at Superior High School.

Evans set Waverly High School to back-to-back Class B state semifinal appearances and dished out more than 3,000 career assists as a four-year starter for the Vikings. She tallied 10.6 assists per set as a senior with 3.1 digs per set and 35 ace serves.

Johnson stood out to the Husker staff at a summer camp in 2019, and she finished a standout career at Breese Central High School in Illinois this fall. Johnson led the Cougars to the Illinois 2A sectional semifinals with 3.3 kills per set and a .358 hitting percentage.

2020 Nebraska Volleyball Signing Class
Kalynn Meyer, 6-3, Middle Blocker, Superior, Neb. (Superior) (VCNebraska)
• Ranked the No. 21 overall prospect and the No. 4 middle blocker by PrepVolleyball.com
• Named an Under Armour First-Team All-American as a senior in 2019
• As a senior, led Superior High School with 5.6 kills per set and a .389 hitting percentage while adding 77 blocks and 59 service aces
• Won the Nebraska Class C2 state title with Superior as a sophomore in 2017
• Is a two-time Lincoln Journal Star Girls Athlete of the Year and first-team Super-State selection
• Was the 2018 and 2019 Nebraska Gatorade Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year after winning state titles in the discus and shot put
• Broke the Nebraska all-class state meet record in the discus (176-8) and set a shot put Class C state meet record of 49-5
• Is a three-time state discus champion and two-time state shot put champion
• Also won a Class C2 state championship in basketball as a sophomore in 2018
• Played club volleyball for VCNebraska
• Mother, Peggy, played volleyball at Nebraska under Terry Pettit from 1991-94, and older sisters Alex and Leah were throwers on the Nebraska track and field team

Coach Cook: "Kalynn is one of the best middles in the country and we are thrilled she chose to stay in Nebraska. A talented multi-sport athlete, she comes from a true Husker family. Kalynn is dominant at the net and has a chance to contribute on the court right away."

Annika Evans, 5-9, Setter, Waverly, Neb. (Waverly) (VCNebraska)
• Was a four-year starter at setter for Waverly High School, recording 3,294 career assists
• Led the Vikings to the Class B state tournament semifinals in 2018 and 2019
• Tallied 10.6 assists per set as a senior with 3.1 digs per set and 35 ace serves
• Received Class B all-state honorable mention from the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star following her sophomore and junior seasons
• Played club volleyball for VCNebraska
• Older brothers, Tyler and Erik, were members of the Nebraska football team

Coach Cook: "Anni is an exceptional setter from Waverly. She took a big risk choosing to be a Husker, and we are proud to add yet another Nebraskan to our roster. She is a great all-around volleyball player with an outstanding court presence and phenomenal work ethic. Anni is a great leader and will look to lead this freshman class."

Abby Johnson, 6-4, Middle Blocker/Opposite Hitter, Aviston, Ill. (Breese Central) (H2 Sports Worldwide)
• Was a three-year starter at Breese Central High School in Illinois
• Led Central to the Illinois 2A sectional semifinals and a 27-11 final record as a senior in 2019
• Averaged 3.3 kills per set with a .358 hitting percentage while adding 67 blocks and 16 service aces
• Was awarded "Outstanding Player" honors at a Nebraska summer camp in 2019 and was named the "Top Attacker" at the "Dream Team" camp
• Played club volleyball for H2 Sports Worldwide Volleyball Club, based out of St. Louis

Coach Cook: "Abby worked extremely hard to become a Husker. After attending two camps this summer, her talent could not be denied. We knew we had to get her to Nebraska. She is without a doubt going to raise the level of competition and hard work in our gym, and her outstanding character will fit right into the Nebraska culture."

Baseball

The Nebraska baseball team unveiled its first recruiting class under Head Coach Will Bolt and his staff on Thursday, which includes 10 student-athletes. The seven National Letter-of-Intent signees and three walk-ons will join the Husker program during the fall 2020 semester.

"We are incredibly excited about the quality of talent and character assembled for this year's class," Bolt said. "The class is a direct reflection of the hard work of Coach Harvell and Coach Christy on the recruiting trail. These student-athletes exhibit winning traits both on and off the field that will allow them to develop and flourish here at Nebraska."

Garrett Anglim • OF • 6-0 • 190 • La Vista, Neb. (Papillion-La Vista)
An in-state product, Garrett Anglim joins the Huskers from Papillion-La Vista High School. Anglim is the top-ranked outfielder in Nebraska by Prep Baseball Report and Perfect Game, which also selected him as a Rawlings Preseason All-American in 2018. During his junior season in 2019, Anglim earned all-state honors after being among the Class A leaders in several offensive categories, including hits, runs, triples and stolen bases.

Recruiting Coordinator Lance Harvell on Anglim: "Garrett is a really good athlete that has a chance to be a versatile player for us. Given his athleticism, we feel he could make the transition to not only play outfield, but also play third base. We love the strong bat and aggressive approach that he brings at the plate. Garrett has produced at a high level in high school and summer ball against really good competition. We're really excited about what Garrett brings to our program."

Stacey Bailey • INF • 6-0 • 200 • Kerens, Texas (Navarro College/Kerens)
Stacey Bailey is a junior college transfer from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. A top-50 Texas JUCO prospect, Bailey led Navarro to a third-place finish at the 2019 NJCAA World Series. In 56 games during the season, he hit .328 with 15 doubles, 11 home runs (11th-most in the NJCAA) and 71 RBIs (ninth-most in the NJCAA).

Coach Harvell on Bailey: "Stacey is extremely strong and has the ability to run the ball out of the ballpark to any part of the field. We expect him to come in and make an immediate impact as a run producer in the middle of our lineup next year. He is a small town kid with a blue-collar work ethic and knows what it means to grind. He'll make our team better on and off the field."

Caleb Bennett • RHP • 6-4 • 200 • Perris, Calif. (Corona Centennial)
Caleb Bennett comes to Nebraska from Corona Centennial High School in Perris, Calif. Ranked as the No. 27 pitcher in California by Prep Baseball Report, Bennett was also named a 2019 Underclass All-American by Perfect Game.

Coach Harvell on Bennett: "Caleb is a prototypical power pitcher. He has good command of three pitches. His fastball sits at 88-92 mph to both sides of the plate. In addition, he has a power slider at 80-83 mph and a good change-up. As impressive as he is physically with broad shoulders and a strong lower half, his mentality is what will set him apart. His competitiveness and drive to get better are beyond his years and will serve him and our team well during his time at Nebraska."

Griffin Everitt • C • 6-0 • 200 • Lincoln, Neb. (Kansas City Kansas CC/Southwest)
Griffin Everitt is a junior college transfer from Kansas City Kansas Community College. Behind the plate, Everitt threw out 71 percent of base runners last season. Offensively, he ranked second on the team in slugging percentage and averaged an extra-base hit every five at-bats.

Coach Harvell on Everitt: "Griffin is one of the best junior college catchers in the nation. He is a game changer behind the plate with his arm. He has a very strong and, more importantly, accurate arm. Offensively, Griffin has a mature approach with gap power and we believe there is more to come in that area. Griffin is a well-rounded player and, as an added bonus, is a hometown kid who bleeds Husker red."

Brice Matthews • INF • 6-0 • 175 • Humble, Texas (Atascocita)
Brice Matthews hails from Texas, where he attends Atascocita High School. Matthews is ranked as a Top-100 player in Texas and the No. 3 player at his position by Prep Baseball Report. During a breakout junior season, Matthews was selected as the 6A Utility Player of the Year and Greater Houston Area Infielder of the Year. In addition, he earned a spot on the USA Baseball NTIS South Texas Team, Houston Area High School All-Star Team and the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team. Matthews is also the starting quarterback for Atascocita's football team and was named the Offensive MVP in 2018.

Coach Harvell on Matthews: "Brice is a special athlete. He has a rare blend of both strength and speed, which are the two things we look for and value the most in our position players. To this point in his career, he hasn't played as much baseball as most of his peers due to his commitments with football. As a result, he's not even close to realizing his full potential as a baseball player, which is through the roof. We're incredibly excited that he is a Husker."

Jack Steil • INF • 6-2 • 205 • Cold Spring, Minn. (Rocori)
A product of Cold Spring, Minn., Jack Steil joins the Huskers from Rocori High School. The top-ranked shortstop in Minnesota, Steil is the No. 3 overall player by Prep Baseball Report and was named a 2019 Rawlings Preseason All-American by Perfect Game. A multi-sport athlete, he is also the football team's quarterback.

Coach Harvell on Steil: "Jack is a very talented and highly motivated player. He brings physicality, toughness and competitiveness to our program. As far as tools, there isn't anything he can't do on a baseball field. He has a fluid swing and uses the whole field. He can generate bat speed easily to hit for power. He has an exceptional arm across the infield and can play anywhere on the dirt. Jack is our type of guy both on and off the field. We are thrilled he is coming to Lincoln."

Tyler Palmer • UTL • 6-1 • 175 • Columbus, Neb. (Scotus Central Catholic)
A walk-on from Columbus, Neb., Tyler Palmer attends high school at Scotus Central Catholic. Ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect in Nebraska and the No. 2 outfielder by Prep Baseball Report and Perfect Game, Palmer was also tabbed an Underclass All-American in 2018 and 2019. He had a stellar career on the gridiron as a quarterback and safety, earning all-state honors.

Coach Harvell on Palmer: "Tyler may very well have the most speed of anyone in this class. He is a versatile, multi-sport, pure athlete and flashes power at the plate. Tyler has the arm, actions and ability to lock down center field or come and play on the infield if needed. He is going to come in and compete right away, not only because of his talent, but also because that's what type of kid he is."

Will Walsh • LHP • 6-3 • 210 • Leawood, Kan. (Rockhurst)
Will Walsh comes to Nebraska as a walk-on from Rockhurst High School in Leawood, Kan. Ranked as the No. 6 left-handed pitcher in Kansas by Prep Baseball Report and No. 3 LHP by Perfect Game, Walsh is also an Underclass All-America selection.

Coach Harvell on Walsh: "Will is as competitive of a kid as they come. When he toes the rubber, he's on the attack from the word 'go.' Will has a really good three-pitch mix. His fastball is mid-80s with some natural tilt, but given his size and arm action, it's easy to project a jump in velocity. He has a sharp 12-to-6 curveball and good command of his change-up. He is the type of player that every championship team has on the roster because of his tremendous work ethic. He knows how to get hitters out and he's a winner. We're thrilled that he's a Husker."

Drew Wessel • C • 6-0 • 180 • Omaha, Neb. (Millard South)
A walk-on from Omaha, Neb., Drew Wessel attends high school at Millard South. An Underclass All-American by Perfect Game, Wessel is the No. 3 catcher in Nebraska and No. 10 overall prospect by Prep Baseball Report. As a sophomore in 2018, he batted .408 en route to second-team Super-State honors and helped Millard South to a runner-up finish at the state tournament. During his junior season in 2019, he earned first-team All-Nebraska and first-team Super-State accolades.

Coach Harvell on Wessel: "Drew is rock solid defensively behind the plate. He is a well above average receiver, blocker and has a very good arm. He also comes from an extremely competitive and well-coached program at Millard South. Drew is a bit of a rare breed these days because he has a 'team first' mentality in everything that he does. We don't often see that kind of selflessness from players all the time. That combined with his passion for the University of Nebraska, we know he is going to make a positive impact on our team."

Efrain Cervantes • INF • 5-11 • 180 • Tucson, Ariz. (South Mountain CC/Salpointe Catholic)
Efrain Cervantes is a junior college transfer from South Mountain Community College in Arizona. As a freshman last season, Cervantes hit .300 with 13 doubles and three home runs in a wood bat league and was named to the ACCAC All-Region and all-conference teams. During the fall, he was one of the top performers in the Arizona Fall JUCO All-Star game.

Coach Harvell on Cervantes: "Efrain is a premium defender in the infield. He can make every play, has smooth actions, a plus arm and outstanding range. He has produced at every level and we don't expect that trend to stop in his time at Nebraska."

Wrestling

Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraska Head Coach Mark Manning announced the addition of six wrestlers on Wednesday who will join the Huskers next season.

Rated as the No. 6 class in the nation by FloWrestling, Manning is eager to welcome this group to Lincoln: "We're excited about how these guys fit into the culture of our program and the goals they want to achieve," he said.

Dominick Serrano
Windsor, Colo. (Windsor)
Projected Weight: 133 pounds
Dominick Serrano is a three-time state champion from Windsor High School in Windsor, Colo. Serrano has won Colorado Class 4A titles at 120 pounds (2017), 126 pounds (2018) and 132 pounds (2019) and went into his senior season unbeaten in 139 career matches as a high school wrestler. He also has a 2019 Fargo Junior Freestyle National Championship (132 pounds) and 2018 Cadet national title to his credit. A Super 32 All-American, Serrano is ranked No. 2 at 132 pounds by Intermat.

Nathan Haas
Norwalk, Calif. (St. John Bosco)
Projected Weight: 184 pounds
Nathan Haas won the 2019 California state title at 182 pounds and owns a 2019 USAW National Folkstyle Wrestling title at 181 pounds. A 2018 Junior Cadet title winner, Haas added a first-place finish at the California World Challenge in October. He is the seventh-ranked wrestler at 182 pounds by Intermat.

Silas Allred
Muncie, Ind. (Shenadoah)
Projected Weight: 197 pounds
A 2019 Indiana state title winner at 195 pounds after taking fifth in 2018 at 182 pounds, Silas Allred became the first-ever wrestler at his high school to win a state title. He also won the 2018 Cadet Freestyle Championship at 195 pounds and earned a USA Wrestling National High School Folkstyle title in April. He is ranked fifth at 195 pounds by Intermat.

Jeremiah Reno
Kansas City, Mo. (Liberty)
Projected Weight: 125 pounds
Jeremiah Reno comes to Nebraska having won Missouri Class 4 state titles in 2017 (106 pounds), 2018 (106 pounds) and 2019 (113 pounds) . He also earned a second-place finish at the 2018 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals. He is the sixth-ranked wrestler at 120 pounds according to Intermat.

Brock Hardy
Brigham City, Utah (Box Elder)
Projected Weight: 149 pounds
Brock Hardy is a four-time Utah high school state champion and five-time first-place finisher at the USA Folkstyle Nationals. He was ranked as high as No. 2 at 145 pounds by some services. Hardy graduated from high school in 2018 and is currently serving a two-year LDS mission to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He will join the Nebraska wrestling program for the 2020-21 campaign.

Brandyn Van Tassell
Mapleton, Utah (Maple Mountain)
Projected Weight: 184 pounds
Brandyn Van Tassell won a Class 5A Utah state championship at 182 pounds in 2018. He also won a state title in 2017, wrestling less than one year removed from tearing both his ACL and LCL in his knee. Like Brock Hardy, Van Tassell graduated from high school in 2018 and is currently serving a two-year LDS mission. He will join the Nebraska wrestling program for the 2020-21 campaign.

Softball

The Nebraska softball program added eight talented student-athletes to its roster on Wednesday announced Head Coach Rhonda Revelle. Billie Andrews (Gretna, Neb.), Camyl Armendariz (La Verne, Calif.), Sydney Gray (Tucson, Ariz.), MJ Green, (Henderson, Texas), Kaylin Kinney (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Caitlynn Neal (Dewey, Ariz.), Abbey Newlun (The Woodlands, Texas) and Abbie Squier (Lincoln, Neb.) will join the team as freshmen next fall. The group consists of two pitchers/utility players, five infielders and one outfielder, and come from five different states including Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, California and Arizona.

"This is an athletic, competitive, high-performing and high-character class," Revelle said. "This is a group that has worked to get to know each other well, even though they come from five different states. They aspire to hit the ground running. They have shared with us bold, lofty and inspiring goals that they collectively have for this program. As they stated, it is a great day to be a future Husker, and the future looks bright with the signing of this class joining our current members of the Red Team."

Billie Andrews • INF • Gretna, Neb.
Billie Andrews was a four-year letterwinner for Gretna High School in Gretna, Neb. The shortstop played 116 total games and finished her career with a .434 batting average, a 1.200 slugging percentage and a .625 on-base percentage. She had 147 hits, 24 doubles, 12 triples, 57 home runs, 139 RBIs, 159 runs and 59 stolen bases. She also set several school records, including career triples, career and season home runs, season RBIs, career and season runs scored, career and season walks, career on-base percentage and career and single-season stolen bases. Andrews was a four-time all-conference pick. She was named to the Lincoln Journal Star Super-State and the Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska Teams all four years, which included first-team honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. Additionally, she was the Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska Honorary Captain in 2018.

Andrews helped Gretna win a district title each of her four years and led the Dragons to four state tournaments, despite moving from Class B to Class A prior to the 2018 season. As a senior, she helped the Dragons to a third-place state finish after just the program's second year in Class A. In 2017, Gretna finished third at the Class B State championships after a runner-up finish the year before. As a senior, she was named the Offensive MVP, the Team MVP and earned the Leadership Award from her team.

Andrews plays travel ball for the Nebraska Gold under coaches Larry Swift, Chad Perkins, Chad Marshall and Mark Nuismer.

Off the field, Andrews has been named to the Gretna High School Honor Roll every semester so far and has earned three academic letters. She also holds a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers with Kids Against Hunger, Open Door Mission and a Night to Shine. She also is an assistant youth softball coach and volunteers at youth softball camps.

Billie was born on March 15, 2002, and is the daughter of Christopher and Barbara Andrews. She has one brother, Todd, and two sisters, Nicole and Brooke. Brooke is a freshman on the Nebraska softball team.

Billie Andrews on Nebraska: "I chose Nebraska because I grew up in Nebraska and the whole 'Sea of Red' atmosphere. Ever since I was a little girl, my parents watched Husker football games and took me to the softball games. I've been around the Nebraska culture for so long, I've never thought about going anywhere else. It was always a goal of mine to be on the Nebraska softball team. When I was offered, there was nothing else to say but 'yes'."

Coach Revelle on Billie Andrews: "Billie is an exceptional athlete who makes really difficult plays look easy. She is fast, explosive and competitive. The sky is the limit for this young lady, and we are looking forward to getting her in a Husker jersey."

Camyl Armendariz • INF • La Verne, Calif.
Camyl Armendariz (pronounced KUH-meal ARM-en-dare-iz) will play her senior season this spring for Bonita High School in La Verne, Calif. In three seasons, she's totaled 109 hits, 76 RBIs, 21 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs and has a batting average of .424.

As a junior, she helped the Bearcats make the CIF Southern Section Softball Championships, hitting .477 with an on-base percentage of .495. She also had 42 hits, 32 RBIs, 28 runs and eight home runs. In 2018, she hit .405 with an on-base percentage of .442. She added 32 hits, 23 RBIs, 27 runs and six home runs. As a freshman, she hit .389 with 35 hits, 20 runs, 21 RBIs and four homers. Armendariz was a first-team all-league shortstop as a freshman, sophomore and junior. She also was a three-time All-San Gabriel Valley honoree and was awarded the Slugger Award in 2017, 2018 and 2019 by Bonita High School.

She plays travel ball for the Corona Angels under coaches Dominique Tyson, Dena Slye and Marty Tyson. The Corona Angels have produced current Huskers Keana "KP" Pola, Cam Ybarra and Tristen Edwards, as well as former Huskers Bri Cassidy, Austen Urness, MJ Knighten, Emily Lockman, Dawna Tyson, Tatum Edwards, Taylor Edwards, Julie Brechtel and Tori Tyson.

Camyl was born on March 26, 2002, and is the daughter of Jason and Mariana Armendariz. She has one brother, Jason Jr. Camyl enjoys playing guitar and piano. She chose Nebraska over Ole Miss.

Camyl Armendariz on Nebraska: "I chose Nebraska because of the family feeling I got when I first went there, the academic support, the community support and the coaching staff, which is the most important to me."

Coach Revelle on Camyl Armendariz: "Camyl plays the with a smooth and graceful rhythm. She is quick and smart, and has sneaky power. She is poised and athletic and will make her presence known right away to Husker Nation."

Sydney Gray • INF • Tucson, Ariz.
Sydney Gray will begin her senior season this spring for Sabino High School in Tucson, Ariz. As a junior in 2019, Gray helped her team claim the Arizona 3A State title. The starting shortstop, Gray batted .487 and slugged .947 with 37 hits, seven home runs and 23 RBIs. She was a first-team all-conference and all-region honoree and was named to the Southern Arizona All-Star team. During her sophomore season, Gray was a second-team all-conference honoree and a first-team all-region pick. She batted .446, with an on-base percentage of .516. Gray made an impact right away for the Sabercats as a freshman. The first-team all-region and all-conference honoree was named the 3A Region Player of the Year, the 3A Offensive Player of the Year and the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. She also was named to the Southern Arizona all-freshman team.

Gray has been honored by her team several times, earning the Rookie of the Year Award, the Slugger Award, the Golden Glove Award and the Best Leader Award. In 2019, the Sabino High School athletic department also awarded Gray with the Outstanding Student Award for Sports.

Gray plays travel ball for the Arizona Desert Thunder, the same club team as former Husker Mattie Fowler and fellow signee Caitlynn Neal. She is coached by Kelly Fowler, Kenzie Fowler Quinn and Larry Neal. Kenzie Fowler Quinn was a former NFCA All-American for Arizona.

Off the field, Gray has been named a Sabino High School Sabercat Scholar-Athlete all three years of high school. She also has earned three academic letters with a cumulative GPA of 4.1 and ranks in the top five percent of her class. In 2019, Gray earned the Sabino High School Silver Award after earning all "As" for five straight semesters. Gray also volunteers with Girls and Boys Club of America.

Sydney was born on April 6, 2002, and is the daughter of Lori Gray, Kory Gray and stepmother Lara Scott. Sydney has one sister Carly, who plays softball at Regis University (Colo.) and one step-sister, Greta Abend. Sydney's mother Lori is from Omaha and graduated from Burke High School. Outside of softball, Sydney enjoys going to the lake, traveling and playing with her dog, Sam.

Sydney Gray on Nebraska: "I chose Nebraska because I was impressed with the facilities and amazing opportunities available to Nebraska student-athletes. The coaches made me feel very comfortable and welcome. Their combined experience and knowledge about the game is something that I can't wait to experience on and off the field. It was also very obvious that Nebraska athletes give a lot and get a lot back from the community and Cornhusker fans. I'm excited to be part of that tradition."

Coach Revelle on Sydney Gray: "Sydney is an athlete with a golden glove. She has great instinct for the ball and possess the skills to make any play that comes her way. Sydney just keeps getting better, and we are thrilled to have her in red."

Milee "MJ" Green • INF • Henderson, Texas
Milee "MJ" Green will begin her senior season this spring for Henderson High School in Henderson, Texas. Green has lettered each of the past three years and is ranked as a top-100 recruit in the class of 2020 by FloSoftball. She was ranked No. 141 by Extra Innings Elite and No. 153 by FastPitch News. Green was an All East Texas honoree as a junior and a two-time all-district pick. In 2019, Green earned all-state honors, the excellence award and was a first-team all-region honoree as a designated player. In 2017, Green was named the Newcomer of the Year. A versatile athlete, Green plays infield and outfield for Henderson.

Green plays travel ball for Scrap Yard International, the same club as fellow Nebraska softball signee Abbey Newlun. She is coached by Todd Leach and Lisa Norris.

Green also earned two letters in cheer and track and claimed academic all-district accolades in 2018. Additionally, she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Honor Roll and is a member of FFA. Active in her community, Green has volunteered at the Sarah Murphy Special Needs Field Day, the Special Needs Rodeo, for Dream-Catchers and for Chad's Christmas Cheer. Green is a bible study leader and in 2018, she traveled to Belize on a mission trip.

MJ was born on July 31, 2001, and is the daughter of Kevin and Amy Green. She has one brother, Kolt. Outside of softball, MJ enjoys wake-boarding and playing spike ball. MJ chose Nebraska over Memphis, Texas State and Tennessee.

MJ Green on Nebraska: "Coming from deep East Texas, people ask 'Why Nebraska?' My answer is because there is truly no other place like it. As soon as I stepped foot into the state, especially the University, I was hooked. The beauty of the campus, the fans in the stands and the heart of Nebraska is so vibrant. Nebraska is my home away from home. I felt so in place and right where I was supposed to be."

Coach Revelle on MJ Green: "MJ is a fiery competitor that anyone would want on their team. MJ takes the field with great intent and purpose and because of it she is able to make the clutch play seem routine. MJ plays the game with an infectious and contagious spirit."

Kaylin Kinney • RHP/UTL • Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Kaylin Kinney will play her senior season in the spring for Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The pitcher earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-metro honors each of her first three seasons. She led the Cougars to three straight Mississippi Valley Conference titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and was named the conference player of the year as a sophomore and junior.

Kinney was named the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year following her impressive junior season. Kinney helped the Cougars to a 33-6 record and the 2018 regional semifinals. Individually, the righty finished with a 15-3 record and a 0.50 ERA. She recorded 133 strikeouts and walked just four batters in 126.1 innings. A double threat, Kinney batted .563, with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs. Kinney earned first-team all-state honors and was named to the Des Moines Register All-Iowa Softball team. As a sophomore, Kinney was the all-metro player of the year.

Kinney plays club ball for the Nebraska Gold under Chad Perkins, Chad Marshall, Mark Nuismer and Larry Swift.

Kinney is a member of the National Honor Society and student government. She also has lettered in academics every year of high school.

Kaylin was born on April 24, 2001, and is the daughter of Mike and Laura Kinney. She has one brother, Drake and one sister, Sydney. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hunting with her dad, playing with her dogs and spending time with her friends. Kaylin chose Nebraska over Iowa, Iowa State, the University of Northern Iowa, Michigan, Alabama and Minnesota.

Kaylin Kinney on Nebraska: "No other colleges I visited compared to the overall atmosphere I experienced at the University of Nebraska. I immediately fell in love with the school and softball program. There truly is no place like Nebraska and I can't wait to be a Husker."

Coach Revelle on Kaylin Kinney: "She is a great athlete on both sides of the ball. Kaylin is a feared hitter because the way the ball explodes off her bat and a pitcher that takes the mound on a mission. Kaylin is mature and focused and we are grateful she is a Husker."

Caitlynn Neal • RHP/UTL • Dewey, Ariz.
Caitlynn Neal was a member of the 2019 USA U17 Women's National Team and is ranked 30^th in her class by Extra Inning Softball. Last month, the Dewey, Ariz., native helped team USA to a perfect 8-0 record in the Pan American Championships and the team became the first-ever U17 team to win the gold medal. In the championship game, Neal pitched a complete seven-inning shutout and allowed just two hits.

Neal will play her senior season this spring for Bradshaw Mountain High School after helping the team advance to the second round of the state championships in 2019. She had a breakout junior season for the Bears, finishing with a 0.66 ERA and racking up 19 wins in her first varsity season. She pitched 106.2 innings and recorded 204 strikeouts, while holding opponents to just a .063 batting average. The righty earned third-team all-America honors and was a first-team all-region pick by the NFCA. She also was named the MaxPreps Player of the Game six times. She was a finalist for the Arizona Republic's Softball Player of the Year Award and was named the Courier Female Athlete of the Year.

Neal plays travel ball for the Arizona Desert Thunder, the same club team as former Husker and family friend Mattie Fowler and fellow signee Sydney Gray. She is coached by Kelly Fowler and Kenzie Fowler Quinn. Kenzie Fowler Quinn was a former NFCA All-American for Arizona. Previously, she played for Sliderz Softball under coaches Larry Neal, Victor Hambrick, Brandon Ramirez and Tony Piazza.

A versatile athlete, Neal also runs track and was named the Most Outstanding Freshman in 2017 and holds the school record in the javelin. In the classroom, Neal holds a 4.3 GPA and is in the top 10% of her class. In the community, she has volunteered at Verde Valley Medical Center and is a youth softball coach. Neal enjoys singing and participates in performances that raise funds for Arizona Veterans. Additionally, she is part of the 2019-20 Student-Athlete Leadership Team at Bradshaw Mountain High School.

Caitlynn was born on Jan. 22, 2002, and is the daughter of Larry Neal and Kelli Neal. She has two younger brothers, Jacob and Hardy. Caitlynn enjoys working out and classic muscle cars. She also enjoys nature and being outside.

Caitlynn Neal on Nebraska: "I chose Nebraska because I know that when I graduate, I will be the best version of myself. The support and love that Nebraska provides to all of its students is off the charts. I've never even considered another school, as Nebraska has always been like a family to me. It's truly an honor to be a Husker."

Coach Revelle on Caitlynn Neal: "Caitlynn is a true utility player. She plays infield, outfield and pitches, and does all of them very well. She has an unquenchable competitive nature that will make it fun to watch Caitlynn get on the field and give her all each and every day."

Abbey Newlun • INF • The Woodlands, Texas
Abbey will finish her prep softball career this spring with The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, after playing varsity for her first three years of high school. An all-district pick, Newlun helped the Highlanders to back-to-back district titles as a freshman and a sophomore. In her first three seasons, Newlun has 199 at-bats with a slugging percentage of .411 and an on-base percentage of .739. She's totaled 49 hits, 36 RBIs, 45 runs, 12 doubles, three triples and five home runs.

Newlun plays travel ball with Scrap Yard International, the same club as fellow Nebraska softball signee MJ Green. She is coached by Todd Leach, Lisa Norris and Connie May.

Abbey was born on June 8, 2001, and is the daughter of Craig and Stephanie Newlun. She has two brothers, Logan and Garrett. Abbey is a life-long Husker fan, as her father was born and raised in Aurora, Neb., and graduated from UNL in the 1990s. She still has several family members that live in the state.

Abbey Newlun on Nebraska: "I was born a Husker with my dad being an alumni. When I stepped on campus, everyone was so friendly. I knew I wanted Nebraska to be my home."

Coach Revelle on Abbey Newlun: "Abbey is a high energy and vocal player, who has a positive impact on all of her teammates. She plays the game with a lot of passion on defense and packs a power punch offensively. Abbey has dreamed of playing for the Huskers her whole life, as she is following in her father's footsteps. Abbey, we are glad you're glad that your dream is coming true and that you are bringing your wonderful spirit to the Red Team."

Abbie Squier • OF • Lincoln, Neb.
Abbie Squier was a three-year letterwinner for Southwest High School in Lincoln, Neb., and is ranked No. 95 in the 2020 signing class by Extra Inning Softball. The outfielder finished her career with a batting average of .490 and a slugging percentage of .994. Squier helped the Silver Hawks to four district championships and four state tournament appearances, which included a state title in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2017. As a senior, Squier batted .495 with 18 home runs and finished with an on-base percentage of .604. In 2018, Squier was a third-team NFCA All-American after hitting a career-best .516 with 15 homers and 65 RBIs. As a sophomore, she hit .467. Squier was named to the Lincoln Journal Star Super State team three times, which included first-team honors in 2018 and 2019. Additionally, she was named to the Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska team as a junior and a senior. Squier was a team captain and was voted best teammate in 2018 and 2019. She was voted the most outstanding player as a senior.

Squier also lettered in track and field, basketball and academics. She was a member of the 2018 and 2019 Class A Girls Track and Field Championship Teams. Individually, Squier was the 2018 shot put runner up, before claiming the state title in 2019. Squier was named the Lincoln Southwest Female Athlete of the Year in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Squier played club for the Driven Academy Locos under Mike Barrett for six seasons before moving to Iowa Premier Gold. In 2019, she helped Iowa Premier Gold and coach Greg Dickel win the PGF Platinum National Championship.

Off the field, Squier is a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also earned academic all-state and all-conference honors and was a Lincoln Public Schools Scholar Athlete. She is also a three-time NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. Squier has made the Southwest High School Honor Roll every semester and is a Southwest Athletic Leadership Team Member. Squier has volunteered with Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach, the Down Syndrome Association for Families and the Friendship Home.

Abbie was born on Nov. 9, 2001, and is the daughter of Jon and Michelle Squier. She has one sister, Katie, who is a student at UNL. Outside of softball, Abbie enjoys cooking, baking, spending time outside and with her three dogs. Abbie chose Nebraska over Minnesota and South Dakota State.

Abbie Squier on Nebraska: "I have dreamt of playing at Bowlin Stadium since I can remember. Playing softball in Scarlet and Cream and representing my hometown is such a special opportunity. The support for academic, personal and athletic growth at the University of Nebraska is second to none."

Coach Revelle on Abbie Squier: "The true definition of a hard worker, Abbie will leave no stone unturned when it comes to maximizing her talent. Abbie is strong, powerful and locked in. We are excited that Abbie chose to stay home to make and leave her mark at the University of Nebraska."

Soccer

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska soccer team announced the addition of nine student-athletes for the 2020 season on Wednesday. The commits include Audra Clark, Gwen Lane, Sydney Marchant, Molly Quarry, Reagan Raabe, Katie Stoneburner, Lily Sturek, Lexi Thomsen and Elana Webber.

Nebraska Soccer 2020 Recruiting Class

Audra Clark
San Antonio, Texas (Medina Valley)
ECNL U18/19 Classics Elite Soccer Academy
Forward

Audra Clark plays high school soccer at Medina Valley under Coach Steven Kirkpatrick. As a midfielder for the team, Clark scored 43 goals and tallied 23 assists as a junior in 2018-19 to help Medina Valley capture the Bi-District title and 28-5A District crown. She earned TASCO first-team All-Region, first-team All-Area, San Antonio Area Super Team, District 28-5A MVP and Medina Valley Team MVP honors. A member of the National Honor Society, Clark also competed for the cross country and track and field teams. She was a Regional finalist in the 4 x 400m and a Regional qualifier in the 4 x 200m. Clark played club soccer for ECNL U18/19 Classics Elite Soccer Academy under Coach Dennis Chavarria. Clark also helped the U-17 team captured the ECNL Champions League Nationals title in San Diego. In addition, Clark was named the top performer at the U.S. Club Soccer id2 Program National Training Camp in April 2016 in Raleigh, N.C.

Clark on Nebraska
"When I talked to Coach Walker after SilverLakes, I felt like he really understood me as a player. With my visit to the beautiful campus, I knew Nebraska was right for me. I appreciate the emphasis on building Academic All-Americans, the coaches' focus on player development and playing in the Big Ten."

Gwen Lane
Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)
Sporting Omaha DA 01/02
Forward/Midfielder

Gwen Lane joins the Huskers from Lincoln Southwest High School, where she plays under Coach Thomas Nettleton. As a sophomore in 2018, Lane scored 14 goals and added six assists to lead the Silver Hawks to a spot in the semifinals of the state tournament after capturing the district title and Heartland Athletic Conference crown. Lane received Super-State, all-state, all-conference and all-city honors in 2018. During her freshman season in 2017, she scored seven goals and set a school record with 19 assists to help Southwest win the district and conference titles before advancing to the state tournament semifinals. Lane was named the team's newcomer of the year, while also achieving all-state, all-conference and all-city accolades. She was runner-up for the team's player of the year. An honor roll student, Lane earned four academic letters and was named an athletic scholar on two occasions. Lane played club soccer for Sporting Omaha DA 01/02 under Coach Alex Mason. She helped the team capture the Nebraska State Cup in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the squad qualified for the USYS National Tournament, while also making the semifinals of the USYS Region II Tournament. Sporting Omaha DA 01/02 finished runner-up at the Midwest Regional League (Premier 1 Division 1) in 2016 and 2017. During her career, Lane scored 42 goals and was named 2017-18 Sporting Omaha FC Player of the Year.

Lane on Nebraska
"I chose Nebraska because of its excellent academics and facilities. I grew up here and I am excited to represent my hometown. I can't wait for the next four years in the Big Ten!"

Sydney Marchant
Grant, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
St. Croix Academy
Goalkeeper

Sydney Marchant attends Mahtomedi High School in Minnesota, but does not play soccer for the high school. She earned three letters playing volleyball and earned honorable-mention all-conference honors in 2019. In the classroom, Marchant was an honor roll student. Marchant played club soccer for St. Croix Academy under Coaches Nathan Klonecki, Joaquin Izquierdo and Jesse Campos. Marchant helped the team finish runner-up at the Minnesota State Cup.

Marchant on Nebraska
"From the first moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home. The coaches have shown from the beginning that they want to push me to become the best player that I can become and reach my full potential."

Molly Quarry
Bowen Island, B.C. (Burnaby Central)
Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite/Super REX
Defender

Molly Quarry attends Burnaby Central High School, but does not play soccer for the high school. She earned honour roll distinction in 2015-16 and 2016-17, while also completing international baccalaureate. Quarry played club soccer for Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite/Super REX under Coaches Rhian Wilkinson, Mike Norris and Chris Sargeant. In August 2019, Quarry attended Canadian National Under-20 Camp as a training player.

Quarry on Nebraska
"The team environment was something special. The relationships throughout the team were terrific. The love and support accompanied with the hard work for one another was inspiring and something I wanted to be a part of. Campus life and Nebraska's excellent facilities also played major roles in my decision. On my visits, I kept hearing how much everyone in the University wants you to succeed as a student-athlete."

Reagan Raabe
Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)
Elite Girls Academy
Forward

Reagan Raabe plays high school soccer at Millard West in Omaha, Neb., under Coach Jacque Tevis-Butler. In 2019, Raabe scored 21 goals and tallied 11 assists to help the Wildcats capture the state title. She was named captain of the All-Nebraska Team and Super-State Team, while also earning Gatorade Player-of-the-Year honors. Raabe also captured All-America accolades from the United Soccer Coaches and Allstate. As a freshman in 2017, Raabe scored 17 goals and recorded five assists to help the team advance to the semifinals of the state tournament before suffering an ACL injury that sidelined her for the 2018 campaign. Raabe played club soccer for Elite Girls Academy under Coach Marcus Kelcher. In 2019, the team captured the ECNL Midwest title and Fall State Cup in addition to qualifying for the ECNL Champions League. Raabe scored nine goals and tallied four assists in 12 starts in 2019. In 2018, she compiled 15 goals and nine assists to help the squad qualify for the ECNL Champions League.

Raabe on Nebraska
"Coach Walker supported me throughout my injury and encouraged me to return to soccer better than I was before when many coaches doubted my ability to recover. I was also really impressed with the family environment that all the players and staff talked about. I grew up watching the Huskers my entire life and it's a dream come true to be a part of the Nebraska family."

Katie Stoneburner
Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)
Elite Girls Academy ECNL '01
Midfielder

Katie Stoneburner plays high school soccer at Millard West in Omaha, Neb., under Coach Jackie Tevis-Butler. A team captain and three-year starter, Stoneburner has scored 35 career goals and tallied 11 career assists through her junior season. In 2019, she earned first-team All-Nebraska, all-state and All-Metro accolades, while also making the Allstate All-America Team. The Wildcats won the Class A state title and earned a top 10 national ranking by the United Soccer Coaches. As a sophomore in 2018, Stoneburner captured first-team all-state pundits from the Lincoln Journal Star and second-team honors from the Omaha World-Herald, as Millard West advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament. In 2017, she collected honorable-mention all-state recognition after making the semifinals of the state tournament. The Wildcats won three consecutive district titles from 2017 to 2019. An honor roll student, Stoneburner lettered in basketball as a freshman. Stoneburner played club soccer for Elite Girls Academy ECNL '01 under Coach Marcus Kelcher. The team won the ECNL Midwest Conference title and was one of 16 teams to qualify for the Champions League Playoffs. She also helped the squad win the Nebraska State Cup. She scored 12 goals and recorded eight assists while playing for Elite Girls Academy.

Stoneburner on Nebraska
"Nebraska provides an incredible opportunity to play college soccer at the highest level in the Big Ten Conference so close to home. I really like Coach Walker's emphasis on player development. The campus is the perfect size and the athletic facilities are second-to-none."

Lily Sturek
Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)
Sporting Omaha FC DA
Midfielder

Lily Sturek joins the Huskers from Lincoln Southwest High School, where she played as a freshman and sophomore under Coach Thomas Nettleton before going to the DA for club soccer. A team captain as a sophomore, Sturek earned honorable-mention all-state honors and also claimed spots on the all-conference and all-city teams. During her two years as a Silver Hawk, she scored four goals and added 12 assists to help Southwest to back-to-back semifinal appearances at the state tournament. In the classroom, she was an honor roll student. Sturek played club soccer for Sporting Omaha FC DA under Coach Alex Mason. She earned player-of-the-year honors in 2017 after helping the SOFC 2001 Elite team to the finals of the State Cup.

Sturek on Nebraska
"Nebraska has everything I need to be successful in academics and athletics. To top it all off, Nebraska has a great coaching staff, amazing facilities and is located in my hometown."

Lexi Thomsen
Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn)
Elite Girls Academy
Defender

Lexi Thomsen plays high school soccer at Elkhorn under Coach Troy Stoller. As a junior in 2019, Thomsen earned first-team all-state and all-conference honors, while being voted Team MVP. She led the team with 14 goals and six assists as Elkhorn qualified for the state tournament. In 2018, Thomsen earned Defender-of-the-Year honors in addition to first-team all-state and all-conference honors to help Elkhorn capture the state title. In 2017, she collected second-team all-state and first-team all-conference accolades as Elkhorn advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament. An honor roll student, Thomsen has earned an academic letter during each of her first three years. Thomsen played club soccer for Elite Girls Academy under Coach Marcus Kelcher. During her time on the team, Elite Girls Academy captured four Nebraska state titles, two ECNL crowns and won the ECNL Midwest Conference.

Thomsen on Nebraska
"Growing up in Nebraska, I always wanted to be a Husker. I wanted to represent Nebraska and be able to wear the shirt. The campus and everything about the University was perfect."

Elana Webber
Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X/Waverly)
Gretna Prima Green/Omaha FC DA
Midfielder

Elana Webber played high school soccer at Lincoln Pius X in 2018 after attending Waverly High School for her first year in 2017. As a sophomore in 2018, she earned honorable-mention all-state honors as a starter for the Thunderbolts. In 2017, she scored seven goals and tallied two assists at Waverly en route to EMC honorable-mention accolades. Webber played club soccer for Gretna Prima Green under Coach Doug Trenerry and for Sporting Omaha FC DA under Coach Alex Mason. Gretna Prima Green captured the state title in 2018 after finishing runner-up in 2016 and 2017.

Webber on Nebraska
"It was a dream of mine since I was a little girl to play in my hometown for the Huskers. The player development program, facilities and education exceeded all other schools. The players and coaches made me feel welcome and at home. There is no place like Nebraska!"

Women's Gymnastics

Lincoln, Neb. – Head Coach Heather Brink is excited to announce the signing of three future Husker gymnasts to the 2020 women's gymnastics signing class.

Caroline Williams (Roswell, GA), Chloe Lorange (Laval, Quebec) and Kinsey Davis (Cornelius, NC) have signed their letters of intent and will join the roster for Nebraska women's gymnastics' 2021 season.

Williams is a level 10 gymnast training at Roswell Gymnastics in Roswell, GA under coaches Juan Pablo Monterroso, Karla Monterroso, Lorenzo Wyatt and Yulia Yurkina. She finished sixth on floor exercise at the 2019 Junior Olympic Nationals and is a 4-time Regional Qualifier.

Lorange is a level 10 gymnast currently training at Club Gymnix in Montreal, Quebec under coach Katerine Dussault. In 2019 she placed first in the all-around at the Canada Winter Games as part of Team Quebec.

Davis is a level 10 gymnast training at Southeastern Gymnastics in Weddington, NC under coaches Ludmilla Shobe and Sofia Managadze. She qualified for the Junior Olympic Nationals three times, and finished second on uneven bars, third on the balance beam and eighth in the all-around at the event in 2019.

"I am very excited for Caroline, Chloe and Kinsey to join our program and the Nebraska gymnastics family," Brink said. "With their talent and experience, I fully expect them to provide depth and contribute for us on several events. I know they are passionate about Nebraska and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for them."

The women's gymnastics team will host their annual Intrasquad meet on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. CT in Mabel Lee Hall, and season tickets are currently on sale on Huskers.com. The Huskers will open the 2020 season on Jan. 6 on the road against BYU.

Men's Gymnastics

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska men's gymnastics team has added two gymnasts to the 2020 recruiting class head coach Chuck Chmelka announced, after receiving national letters of intent from Taylor Christopulos and Yanni Chronopoulos.

Taylor Christopulos, a native of Layton, UT will join the Huskers after training at USA Gymnastics World in Woods Cross, UT. He is coached by Adam Jacobs and Gabe Connor. Christopulos recently placed third at the 2019 Men's Junior Olympic National Championships in the all-around and was a U.S. Championship Qualifier in 2018 and 2019.

Christopulos, a 4.5 star recruit according to College Gymnastics Association, was ranked eighth overall and fifth on floor for the 2020 recruiting class by CGA.

Christopulos is the son of Troy and Jennifer Christopulos and has four siblings, Tony, Tess, Tia and Tana. Christopulos attends Layton High School. In his free time, he likes to be active and social as well as play the guitar.

"I chose Nebraska because the coaching staff and team members. I honestly wasn't even considering going to Nebraska at all until I took my trip out there and saw it for myself. Chuck, John and Jim were very welcoming and supportive of who I was as a person adn I appreciated that. They showed that they cared before they even got to know me, they stood out from any other University I had visited. Then I met the team and they were the exact same. I felt and saw an environment where a brotherhood was present and I wanted to be a part of that. The campus was just an add on bonus, the small little hometown feel was just what I was looking for."

Christopulos chose Nebraska over Penn State, Iowa and Oklahoma.

Yanni Chronopoulus, a native of Burlington, Canada, will also join the Huskers after training at Future Gymnastics in Mississauga, Ontario, where he is coached by Zhaohui Huang. Chronopoulus was a member of the Canadian Junior World Championships team and the Canadian Junior National team.

Chronopoulos is the son of Nick and Iryna Chronopoulos and has one sister, Maria. In his free time, Chronopoulos likes to spend time with friends and family.

"I chose Nebraska because of the belief and support shown towards me from the team. Also because I really enjoyed the team, coaches and being in Lincoln."

Chronopoulos chose Nebraska over California-Berkeley, Minnesota and Michigan.

Swimming and Diving

Lincoln - The Nebraska Swimming and Diving team announced the signing of Sarah Barton, Caitlin Cairns, Allison Henry, Lexi Kucera, and Ella Stein, adding five new swimmers to the 2020-21 roster.

Barton comes from Huntersville, North Carolina where she specialized in backstroke and the IM. She was a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All American and has consistently improved throughout her swimming career. In her junior year at Southlake Christian Academy, Barton set a state-record time of 56.57 and won the 100 backstroke at the 2019 North Carolina Independent Schools Division 2 Championships, as well as winning the 200 IM with a time of 2:05.99, just .30 off of the state record. She has competed at the 2019 Speedo Junior Nationals and also qualified for Winter Nationals in the 100 meter backstroke.

Henry joins Nebraska from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has experience in the IM, breaststroke and butterfly. She is a Winter Nationals qualifier in the 200 breast and 200 IM, a Summer Juniors qualifier in the 100 breast and 400 IM, and a Winter Juniors qualifier in the 200 fly. She competed in all five of those events at 2019 Speedo Junior Nationals. She competed at TYR ISCA Junior Championship Cup in March and won the 400 IM, while garnering runner-up finishes in the 100 breast and 200 breast.

Stein joins the Huskers from all of the way up in Hudson, Wisconsin. She swam with the Mako Aquatics Swimming Club and specializes in the breaststroke. She competed in the NCSA Summer Swimming Championships in August of 2019. She swam all of the breaststroke events as well as the 200 IM. Stein also swam a career best in the 100 meter breaststroke (1:12.68) at the Minnesota Swimming Senior Long Course Championships. Earlier in the season, Stein also achieved a season best time in 100 breaststroke (1:04.49) at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships-West.

Kucera comes from Hutchinson, MN, where she swam freestyle with the Hutchinson High Tides Swimming Club. She competed at a high level in her High School events. She was a two-time runner-up in the 100 and 200 freestyle at the Minnesota A State Championships in 2016. The next year in 2017, she won the 100 and 200 freestyle at the MSHSL 3A Girls Sectional Championship, won the State Championship in the 100 free and came in second in the 200 free. Last year, Kucera received second in the 200 free and third in the 100 free, and will continue to compete for championships this year.

Cairns comes just west of Nebraska in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She swims year-round with Pikes Peak Athletics and swims freestyle and butterfly. She won the 50 free (24.19) and was runner-up in the 100 fly (56.88) as a sophomore at the 2018 CHSAA 3A Girls State Championships. Last season she finished second in both events (24.43 in the 50 free, 56.56 in the 100 fly) at the state high school meet. Cairns has also swam many strong performances n club swimming, achieving several career bests and years of experience that she can contribute to the Huskers.

Men's Golf

Head Coach Mark Hankins has added another key piece to his class of 2020 from Prairie Village, Kansas, native Will Harding.

"Will really climbed the rankings this past year and was a top player in the Kansas City area, the state of Kansas, and the Midwest. He has a fundamentally sound golf game and provided leadership in a top high school program at Shawnee Mission East, winning multiple state championships. Will has the potential to go low and earned some top accolades throughout his junior career, we are excited to watch his progress this off-season and welcome him to Lincoln in the fall," said Coach Hankins.

Harding was a Kansas 6A first-team all-state recipient and led the Shawnee Mission East Lancers to back-to-back state championships in 2018 and 2019. Harding was the top finisher for the Lancers in both 2018 and 2019 with fifth and seventh place finishes respectively. He is a three-time varsity letterwinner and was voted team captain for the 2019 season. In 2019, Harding recorded two individual tournament titles and two runner-up finishes and never finished lower than eighth. Harding also holds the junior course record at the Kansas City Country Club where he shot a 64 in 2017. He was the Kansas City Junior Amateur Champion and the runner-up in the U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier in 2019. He was also the recipient of the 2019 Midwest PGA Student-Athlete of the Year award this past October.

Harding chose Nebraska over Kansas State because of the direction of the program and the student-athlete support provided by Nebraska Athletics and the University.

"Nebraska invests so much in the success of their athletes from both an academic and athletic standpoint," Harding said. "I am excited to have Coach Hankins as my coach and to be part of a team that is really focused on building a championship program. I can't wait to be surrounded by teammates and a coach that are eager to work hard, improve as golfers, and help make Nebraska one of the top teams in the country," said Harding.

Off the course, Harding was an honor roll student with a 3.7 GPA. Harding was also chosen to be one of eight students who will lead Shawnee Mission East high school in over 50 service projects this school year.

Huskers pick up a second Top 100 golf recruit, as Gentry Scheve, Emporia, KS, ranked #42 in the country by Golfweek has signed a National Letter of Intent with Head Coach Mark Hankins and Nebraska Men's Golf.

"Gentry has put up some really low scores and continues to climb the rankings. We felt like he was a little overlooked and that his competitiveness, love of the game, and continuing development will forge out a great career at Nebraska. He is a strong and talented athlete with lots of tournament championships and high finishes and we expect him to look to be a contributing member in the line-up immediately here in Lincoln," said Coach Hankins.

Scheve is a two-time Kansas 5A first-team all-state member for the Emporia Spartans where he finished in the top-12 at the state tournament his first three years. After finishing 12th at state his freshman year, he then climbed the ranks with a third place finish his sophomore year, and topped it off with a tie for first place last spring where he shot a career best 67 (-5). Scheve is the back-to-back Centennial League Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019, and ended this past high school season with five individual championships, three runner-up finishes, and one third-place finish. This summer, Scheve distinguished himself by winning the Kansas Junior Golf Association Tour Championship by three strokes where he shot a blazing first-round 64 and followed it up with a second-round 70 for a 134 (-10) total. Scheve then went on to claim the KJGA Match Play Championship, where he won four consecutive matches to claim the match-play title. Currently Scheve is nationally ranked #42 in the country based on Golfweek rankings and #103 in Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings. He recently won a Missouri Junior Golf Tour event, winning by 10 shots, with consecutive rounds of 71 to close out his junior amateur year in 2019 with an under-par scoring average of 71.3. He currently holds the course record at Emporia Country Club with an eight-under par 63.

"I love the coaching staff and the golf facilities," Scheve said. "The people in charge at Nebraska really care about the student athlete's success in their sport and in the classroom. It is a Division 1 Power Five conference school, and they play a great schedule against the best competition in the country."

Off the course, Scheve is an honor roll student at Emporia High School with a GPA of 3.8.

Men's Tennis

Nebraska men's tennis Head Coach Sean Maymi announced the signing of Iskandar Karimov on Thursday. Karimov will join the program for the 2020-21 season.

"We are excited to have Iskandar join the team" said Maymi. "His work ethic and character wll fit in great with our current team."

Hailing from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Karimov has been training at the Junior Tennis Campions Center (JTCC) in Maryland for the past year. He will join freshmen Shunya Maruyama (Nagano, Japan) and Albert Sprlak Puk (Brno, Czech Republic) and sophomore Victor Moreno Lozano (Madrid, Spain) as Huskers who possess international backgrounds and experience.

Karimov chose Nebraska over Florida Atlantic and the University of Nevada.

Karimov on Nebraska:
"I chose Nebraska because I love the team and coaches and [the] overall Lincoln environment. I strongly believe [coming to Nebraska will] be beneficial."

Rifle

The Nebraska rifle team will welcome a talented new member to its ranks for the 2020-21 season. Cecelia Ossi comes to the Huskers from Annandale, N.J., and will look to make an immediate impact in her debut season.

Cecelia Ossi brings an impressive shooting resume to Nebraska. She competed for the New Jersey Muzzleloader team at the 2018 National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships, earning 3^rd place in the muzzleloader discipline. Ossi also earned 8^th place overall at the event. She took 2^nd place in smallbore. Ossi was homeschooled but was involved in 4-H leadership and community service.