Recruiting News - Olympic Sports

[AztecBuff]

Both soccer and volleyball have looked to pick up additional commits in possibly crucial areas for them.

Welcome and congrats to them!
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1st, soccer looks to have picked up a very accomplished and relatively young goalie, 5'7" Jordy Nytes , who it looks like will be a sophomore next season after spending her freshman season at Oklahoma State where, among other things, she was named the Big 12 Co-Goalie of the Year. (After her senior prep season, at Grandview HS in Aurora, she was named Colorado's Gatorade Player of the Year.)

(Although the Buffs have lost their mainstay goalie the last 3 seasons to graduation in Dani Hansen, they still look to have a solid "goalie room" in next year junior Isabella Grust, who looked solid to me while getting quite a bit of playing time (over 670 minutes, including 5 full matches) last season, a transfer from Memphis last season in senior Lindsey Smith, and an incoming freshman goalie in Jamie Campbell who was ranked the #68 overall and #9 goalie in Topdrawersoccer's 2023 class recruiting rankings. )

More on her and her transfer:


Her OSU Roster page - https://okstate.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/jordan-nytes/10393

OSU's Article after she was named the Big 12's Co-Goalkeeper of the year, as well as being named to the All-Conference and All-Freshman teams - https://okstate.com/news/2022/11/1/cowgirl-soccer-collects-conference-honors.aspx

After this past season, topdrawersoccer ( https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer/college-national-freshmen-top-100/women) named her their top ranked freshman goaltender, and #9 freshman overall.
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And, volleyball Coach Mahoney tweeted the below about having received a (late) 2023 addition. And, per the Rich Kern website ( https://www.richkern.com/vb/recruits/indexsub.asp?Div=DI&VBYear=2023 ) , that newest vball Buff is 6'3" Middle Blocker Skyy Howard, who I assume will be a grad transfer with one year of (Covid year) eligibility remaining after spending her undergrad years at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. She also hails from North Carolina, having spent, at minimum, her prep years in Charlotte a Mallard Creek HS.

(Note - based on the timing and the fact her UNC roster page says she graduated this month, assume she'll be in Boulder this semester to get some early work with the team before next fall's season.)

More on her and her transfer:





Her Tar Heel roster page - https://goheels.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/skyy-howard/23398

 

[AztecBuff]

Oops- should have posted the last post in the transfer thread. (I'll probably add a minimal note in that thread linking to this thread.)

And, since I did screw this up, figured I might as well put the article on Skyy Howard joining the volleyball Buffs here.

OFFICIAL welcome and congrats to her!



Direct link - https://cubuffs.com/news/2022/12/23/volleyball-skyy-howard-transfers-to-the-buffs.aspx

"
BOULDER — The University of Colorado women's volleyball program added their newest Buff this week as Skyy Howard announced she'll be transferring to CU.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Skyy to Colorado. Skyy will instantly impact our program – not only with her experience and athleticism – but with her energy and infectious personality," head coach Jesse Mahoney said. "The ability for her to join in January will allow Skyy to gain a head start integrating into our culture and systems."

Howard comes to CU after playing four seasons at the University of North Carolina. The middle blocker graduated from UNC in December with two majors – one in Communication Studies, the other in Exercise and Sports Science. At CU, she'll look to expand her studies in Continuing Education.

While she was a Tar Heel, Howard recorded 391 kills and averaged 1.52 kills a set for a .200 attack percentage. Defensively, she earned 248 total blocks and averaged one block a set.

This past season, Howard achieved a season-high eight kills against Louisville, the 2022 national runners-up. She also notched a season-high six blocks during a four-set match against Duke.

"I picked Colorado because I felt like the culture was strong and something I could be a part of. I felt welcome and wanted in such a beautiful place," Howard commented. "I look forward to making strong connections with new people and exploring a part of the country I've never lived in."

Howard joins two other volleyball newcomers in the spring, freshmen Sydney Jordan and Avery Bolles.
"

 

[AztecBuff]

With only 1 male distance runner known about for the frosh class of 2023 for the track and field and cross country teams, I was wondering if/ when more would be announced. A couple days ago, the teams announced 3 new Buffs have signed on for next season:

• Antonio Camacho-Bucks, who currently attends Centennial HS in Ellicott City, Maryland;
• Drew Costelow, who attends Valor Christian in Highlands Ranch and
• Jack Nauman, who attends Heritage Christian in Ft. Collins.

Welcome and congrats to all!






____________________________________________________________________________________________________

A little more on each:

Antonio Camacho-Bucks

His prep results:

Cross country - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/15846280/cross-country/all
Track and field - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/15846280/track-and-field/all

Per https://www.milesplit.com/articles/327345/check-out-state-by-state-gatorade-xc-boys-poy-winners , he was named Maryland's Boy's Gatoraide Cross Country athlete of the year.

Drew Costelow

His prep results:

Cross country - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/18459232/cross-country/high-school
Track and field - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/18459232/track-and-field/all

Jack Nauman

His prep results:

Cross country - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/15773427/cross-country/high-school
Track and field - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/15773427/track-and-field/high-school

 

[AztecBuff]

Per my main source (outside social media) for soccer commitments, topdrawersoccer.com ( https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/col...lorado/clgid-205/tab-commitments#sectionblock) , looks like the Buffs have picked up a verbal for 2024 from defender Hannah Puff, who currently attends and competes with JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, California. She also plays club ball with the So. Cal Blues program.

Welcome and congrats to her!

A few links I could find for her:

Topdrawersoccer page for her (Not really much info available without a premium subscription.) - https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-player-profile/hannah-puff/pid-145546

Her club team's roster (Not much real info there, but does show her as a Buff commit) - https://www.scblues.com/Default.aspx?tabid=279950

HUDL page (No video highlights available) -

Hannah Puff on Hudl

Watch Hannah Puff's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: So Cal Blues Soccer Club - So Cal Blues Girls ECNL06 - U16 / Laguna Hills, CA

www.hudl.com

 

[AztecBuff]

Per one of my main sources for track and field and cross country commitments ( https://www.milesplit.com/signings?year=2023&sortBy=college&collegeSearch=university+of+colo), the men's team has picked up a 2023 commitment from distance runner Conner Wirth, who currently attends and competes at Emerald HS in South Hill, Washington. (I also found the below Instagram post from his high school noting his commitment.)

Welcome and congrats to him!!!



His prep running results:

Cross country - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/19328183/cross-country/high-school

Track and field - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/19328183/track-and-field/all

 

[AztecBuff]

Per Rich Kern*** (https://www.richkern.com/vb/recruits/indexsub.asp?Div=DI&VBYear=2024), my main source for volleyball commitments, looks like the team has picked up its 2nd commitment for the frosh class of 2024 in 5'7" setter/ "utility" player (per her Youtube channel) student-athlete Katherine "Katie" Salonga, who currently attends and competes at Foothill HS in Pleasanton, California. She also plays vball with the NorCal club program. (HUDL also lists her as an opposite (although it looks like setter is her main position for both her HS and club teams).)

(***Wanted to note, once again, that richkern.com is largely a premium site for which I don't have a subscription. However, the page I'm linking to above does always list the most recent 3 days of commitments, which is where I see Ms. Salonga's commitment listed.)

Welcome and congrats to her!!!

Some links I quickly found on her:

Her prep stats (From Maxpreps) - https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/pleasan...onga/volleyball/stats/?careerid=0pal9lri2kn22

Her club team's roster page for her - https://norcalvbc.teamsportsadmin.com/player-profile/166462?teamId=5063

Her Youtube page - https://www.youtube.com/@katiesalonga9/videos

Her Hudl page - https://www.hudl.com/profile/15544722/Katherine-Salonga

 

[AztecBuff]

Wanted to mention I did now find confirmation via her Instagram post below of Ms. Salonga's commitment to Buff volleyball (see last post above for more detail).

Again, welcome and congrats to her!

 

[AztecBuff]

Congrats to incoming (2023 - next season) Buff, volleyball middle blocker Cayla Payne, for being named one of VolleyballMag.com's "Girls Fab 50" for her prep senior class. Full list is available at https://volleyballmag.com/2023-volleyballmag-com-girls-fab-50-042023/ .

(It specifically excludes anyone who didn't play club ball this season, so the 2 Buffs who enrolled early and are already in Boulder were not eligible to be on the list.)

 

[AztecBuff]

Women's golf has announced a late frosh signee for the coming (2023/24) season. She is Francesca "Franky" Sumcad, who has spent her prep years at San Jose's (California) Valley Christian High School .

OFFICIAL welcome and congrats to her!!!



Direct link to article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2023/4/28/womens-golf-womens-golf-signs-sumcad-to-nli.aspx

"
BOULDER – Francesca Sumcad has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the University of Colorado women's golf team for the 2023-24 season, head coach Anne Kelly announced on Friday.

A native of San Jose, Calif., Sumcad is a five-time winner on the prep and junior circuits in Northern California. She took medalist honors in a pair of Junior Golf Association of Northern California events in 2022, claiming the San Jose City Junior Championship and the Bay View Junior Championship.

Sumcad helped San Jose's Valley Christian High School finish third at the 2021 and '22 CIF State Girls Golf Tournaments. She enjoyed a double-win at the 2022 CIF Central Coast Section tournament at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, claiming medalist honors with a 72 while leading the Warriors to their second-straight sectional team title.

Sumcad has been a part of three West Catholic Athletic League championship teams at Valley Christian (2020-22) along with a pair of NorCal Regional winners (2021-22). Individually, Sumcad was third at the 2022 NorCal Regional Tournament and sixth at the 2022 WCAL Championship.

Sumcad qualified for the 2022 U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball Tournament and recorded top 10 finishes at the 2022 AJGA Junior at Ruby Hill GC (Pleasanton, Calif.) and the 2021 USGA Women's Qualifier at Peninsula Golf and Country Club (San Mateo, Calif.). She had a top three finish at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links which included a personal-best score of 66 (6-under) in the first round.

"We are always excited about the players that sign with Colorado women's golf and Franky is no exception," Kelly said. "We see a huge amount of talent and potential in Franky and are thrilled that she chose Colorado to pursue her college education and golf career."
"

A couple links I could find for her:

Some of her results and stats (competing independently on the junior circuit) - https://www.bluegolf.com/a/#/players/player/fsumcad1

A recruiting page - https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/francesca_sumcad

 

[AztecBuff]

Looks like incoming Buff distance runner Karrie Baloga, who already had great cross country and indoor track seasons, is off to a fast start outdoors in her senior high school year, as she wins the 3000M at the prestigious Penn Relays, in what looks like sub-optimal conditions, with the 4th fastest time of the season so far.

Congrats to her!

 

[AztecBuff]

Not even very sure the below tweet relates to a player addition, but just in case it DOES and anyone else notices anything, wanted to mention it looks like Buff soccer MAY (???) have picked up a late addition for next season's squad that I haven't been able to find/ identify yet.

(With the timing, there's also a good chance it may be a transfer. IF that ends up being the case, I'll post further info in the Transfer (rather than this) thread.)

 

[AztecBuff]

Per my main source for track and field commitments ( https://www.milesplit.com/signings?year=2023&sortBy=college&collegeSearch=university+of+colo) , looks like the women's team has picked up a new Buff for next (2023/24) year in hurdler (I'm assuming***) Madison Bates, who has been attending and competing at nearby Golden HS.

(***She is somewhat unique compared to other hurdlers I've seen commit to the Buffs in that, per her prep results, looks like she's also been able to contribute to her HS team by earning points in the discus, at least at the conference championship level. Based on that, I assume it's possible (???) she might also be interested in being a multi-eventer for the Buffs.?.

Also showed some great athleticism on the basketball court, leading her HS team (at "only" 5'8") in points (12.3), rebounds (11.0), assists (3.3), blocks (0.8) and steals (6.3!?!) per game this past season per maxpreps (https://www.maxpreps.com/co/golden/golden-demons/basketball/girls/stats/#Player).)

Welcome and congrats to her!

Her prep results (athletic.net requires a free subscription to view more than the current year results.) - https://www.athletic.net/athlete/18507840/track-and-field/high-school

 

[Buffnik]

 

[AztecBuff]

Not even very sure the below tweet relates to a player addition, but just in case it DOES and anyone else notices anything, wanted to mention it looks like Buff soccer MAY (???) have picked up a late addition for next season's squad that I haven't been able to find/ identify yet.

(With the timing, there's also a good chance it may be a transfer. IF that ends up being the case, I'll post further info in the Transfer (rather than this) thread.)

Already noted this in the off-season soccer thread, but just to (probably) close the loop on the tweet I quoted above and originally in post #701 - later that same day the soccer team sent out the below tweet that 2 current Buffs (both starting midfielders last season - Jade Babcock-Chi and Amaya Gonzelez) have chosen to take a 5th (Covid) year and be with the team next season. I assume that may have been/ probably was what the above tweet was actually about rather than being about an incoming student-athlete.

 

[AztecBuff]

Can't find another source at this point, but since I've found it pretty accurate in the past, wanted to note that my main non-social media source for volleyball commitments, richkern.com ( https://www.richkern.com/vb/recruits/indexsub.asp?Div=DI&VBYear=2024), show the Buffs as having received another 2024 commitment, Tatum Johnson.

Since the website linked to above doesn't list anything other than a name, can't even be 100% sure who this is, but it looks like the main 2024 volleyball student-athlete that pops up with that name is a 6'0" middle blocker who attends and competes at JSerra HS in San Juan Capistrano, Southern California. (I do get at least a little assurance she may be the right Ms. Johnson since Buff volleyball looks to be following her Instagram account.) IT looks like she also plays or has played club ball with the TStreet and or Momentous Volleyball Clubs.

Welcome and congrats to her!

A couple links with info assuming this is a real commitment and it is the JSerra HS student Ms. Johnson:

Momentous Volleyball Club Momentous Volleyball Club on Hudl

Watch highlights of Momentous Volleyball Club Momentous Volleyball Club from IRVINE, CA, US and check out their schedule and roster on Hudl.

www.hudl.com

Her Maxpreps high school stats page - https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/san-jua...nson/volleyball/stats/?careerid=aufsn90qq7a33

 

[AztecBuff]

Confirmation from Ms. Johnson about the volleyball commitment noted in my last post above. (Thanks to the 2024 Volleytalk commitment forum for finding the below Instagram post.)