Nov. 13 marks the first day that many NCAA programs get their first opportunity at signing talented high schoolers. Six Nevada programs were among those that got the opportunity to sign the Pack athletes of tomorrow.
Baseball
Nevada baseball’s head coach, TJ Bruce officially signed right-handed pitcher, Thomas Caneday to the program. Caneday will come to Nevada from Helix Charter High School in La Mesa, Calif.
According to MaxPreps, a collegiate student-athlete recruitment website, the 6-foot-3 pitcher has a career average, 1.84 earned run average.
Softball
On the first day of signing season, head coach, Josh Taylor, signed five athletes to the softball program. Taylor commented on the additions to the program following each of their signings.
“Overall, this is an extremely athletic class that brings multiple facets to the table,” said Taylor. “They each have the potential to be a dynamic combination of speed and power. Our coaching staff is excited to have each and every one of them joining the Pack!”
Infielder Aaliyah Rivas of King High School in Riverside, Calif. brings with her a 4.0 GPA and a powerful swing. Rivas had a .452 batting average over 73 at-bats, including five home runs. Additionally, Rivas has been named a Scholar-Athlete for the last two years in a row.
Also from Calif. is Samantha Oliver. Oliver comes to Nevada from Sheldon High School in Sacramento. Taylor commented on the signing of Oliver following her official letter of intent.
“Samantha [Oliver] brings [a] powerful left handed bat to the roster,” said Taylor. “She is a dynamic first baseman who will look to be in the middle of the batting order in the future.”
Hailing all the way from Iowa is Infielder Gennahlyn Sanchez of Linn-Mar High School.
In Sanchez’s junior season, she posted a .306 hitting percentage and a .486 slugging percentage.
Rounding out the list are two more infielders, both from California—Tayler Holcroft from Orange Lutheran High School and Mia Misasi of Tokay High School.
Each of these young players have been starters for their respective programs since their freshman years.
Holcroft brings with her a .304 batting average, while Misasi edges her new teammate out with a .395.
Taylor spoke on Misasi’s versatility as one of the reasons he recruited her.
“Mia [Misasi] is a versatile athlete that can play both middle infield positions as well as catcher,” said Taylor. “She has gap to gap pop in her bat and provides the Pack with a versatility that is much needed.”
Women’s golf
Head coach of the women’s golf team, Kathleen Takaishi has added another member to her ever-growing roster. Kathleen Keomahavong was signed out of Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, Calif.
The 5-foot-2 golfer was named the 2017 Western League Player of the Year.
Men’s golf
Jack Steck from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, Calif. will be joining the Pack next season. Head men’s golf coach commented on the signing of Steck following the official announcement.
“We are excited to have Jack [Steck] join our program,” said Wilner. “He loves the game, works hard and we are looking forward to helping him grow as a player.”
Steck brings with him to Reno a respectable resume. He has been crowned the 2019 Central Coast Section champion and has taken first place at multiple junior golf competitions.
Soccer
Joining the Pack in the fall will be Maddie Marr, a center back from Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Ariz.
Marr is a four-year starter at her alma mater and has been named a team captain for the last two years. She helped lead her team to a State Cup championship in 2019.
Head coach, Erin Otagaki is excited for Marr to join the Pack come fall.
“We are excited to have Madison Marr join the Pack,” said Otagaki. “She is a formidable player with a great presence in the back line and is dominant in the air.”
Men’s basketball
Closing out the line-up for the initial batch of signees is the men’s basketball program.
Head coach, Steve Alford has signed five new players to join the Pack. Alem Huseinovic, DeAndre Henry, Tre Coleman, Daniel Foster and Je’Lani Clark already currently committed to join Nevada next season.
Alford commented on the future Pack players following each of their signings.
“This class fills a lot of future needs for our program,” Alford said. “As we build our culture each of these young men are exactly what we look for; interested in their education, unselfish approach to winning and a commitment to be better daily.”
The next date for Pack fans to keep an eye on is Dec. 18. That’s the first day that football programs across the country can sign incoming high school talent and junior college transfers for the following season.
Ryan Freeberg can be reached at rfreeberg@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @SagebrushSports.