Photo by: Bonnie Ryan
Softball Signed Five on National Signing Day
Nov 14, 2022 | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. - Head softball coach Mike Heard announced the signing of five players on National Signing Day.Ā
Four of the five signees are Nebraska kids, while one will make the move from Arkansas.
Faith Mills | Infield | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna
Mills is a four-year letter winner out of GretnaĀ under head coach Bill Heard. While with the Dragons, she was a two-time Super State, three-time All-State, three-time All-Metro, one time NFCA All-Region, and one-time All-Metro Coaches Team selection. In 2022, Mills helped her team to a district championship and runner-up finish at state finishing with a 37-2 record. A a junior, the Dragons took third at state. Mills tied the single-game home run record with three as a sophomore, and she hit over .500 in the state tournament as a freshman.
Heard on Mills: "Faith will be a great addition to our program both on the field and off. She is a high character student-athlete that we believe can compete right away at a corner infield spot.Ā Offensively, she has the ability to hit for both power and average. We are excited to have her."
Mills on Omaha:Ā "I chose Omaha because I felt God was directing me to pursue my college softball career there, and I really loved the program and coaches."Ā
Tatum Montelongo | Pitcher | North Platte, neb. | North Platte
Montelongo is a four-year letterwinner from North Platte. She is a three-time All-Conference, three-time Class A, two-time Super State, and two-time All-State selection. As a junior, she helped her team to a 26-13 finish and a runner-up finish at districts. In her sophomore season, the Bulldogs posted a 32-11 record for a District Championship. They were runners-up at state that year. The team also finished as the district runner-up her freshman campaign. Montelongo earned Academic All-Conference honors twice.
Heard on Montelongo:Ā "Tatum has been one of the top pitchers in Nebraska high school since her freshman year, and she has pitched at the highest levels with her Nebraska Gold club team. We believe she has the ability to contribute immediately in the circle and the potential to have an outstanding career. Tatum has also shown excellence in the classroom has the character that is a great fit with Omaha softball."
Montelongo on Omaha:Ā "When I stepped on campus I knew it felt like home, and I couldn't find a more impressive facility with a reputable coaching staff!"
Sammy Schmidt | Outfield | Hastings, Neb. | Hastings Senior
Schmidt is a four-year letterwinner out of Hastings Senior. She was tabbed to the Omaha World Herald's All-Nebraska Team twice, and the Lincoln Journal Star's All-Nebraska team once. Schmidt is a three-time All-State selection. As a senior, she broke career records in hits, doubles, triples, and batting average. Schmidt helped her team to runner-up finishes at state as a junior and sophomore. She also set the single-season triples record twice, once as a freshman and again as a junior.
Heard on Schmidt:Ā "Sammy has proven herself as one of the premier hitters in the area and is outstanding in the outfield. She is a true five-tool player. Sammy plays the game with an energy that is infectious to the whole team. She is just a fun player to watch and will be great fit with our team."
Schmidt on Omaha:Ā "I chose Omaha because it feels like home in every way possible, and I get to stay close to the people that I love."
Sara Watson | Catcher | Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville
Watson is a two-year letterwinner out of Bentonville. She will begin her senior season in the spring of 2023. Watson is a three-time All-State selection. She helped her team to state championships as a sophomore and junior.Ā
Heard on Watson:Ā "Sara is an outstanding catcher with the skills to help us immediately behind the plate, but can also help in other positions. She will bring a powerful bat offensively. Sara plays the game with a toughness that we really like and brings great leadership skill to the field. She's just a really good fit with what we are building in our program."
Watson on Omaha: "The school and the team felt like home. Home is where my habits have a habitat."
Haley Wilwerding | Utility | Papillion, Neb. | Papillion - La Vista
Wilwerding is a two-sportĀ athlete out of Papillion - La Vista. She is a four-year letterwinner in both softball and tennis. Wilwerding is a four-time All-Metro, three-time All-State, and one-time NFCA All-Region selection. As a freshman and sophomore, she helped her team post back-to-back undefeated seasons and state championships. Papillion - La Vista took fourth her junior season and third her senior year. Wilwerding is also a four-time All-Metro academic selection.
Heard on Wilwerding: "Haley is the definition of a student-athlete. Her strong work ethic shows well both on the field and in the classroom. Haley brings some real versatility on the defensive side. She can play either corner position in infield or the outfield.Ā She also brings a very strong and consistent bat. She'll be a great fit with our program."
Wilwerding on Omaha:Ā "I chose Omaha because of all of the amazing amenities and opportunities it provides in both academics and athletics. The softball coaches and team wereĀ so welcoming; it just felt like home."
Ā
Four of the five signees are Nebraska kids, while one will make the move from Arkansas.
Faith Mills | Infield | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna
Mills is a four-year letter winner out of GretnaĀ under head coach Bill Heard. While with the Dragons, she was a two-time Super State, three-time All-State, three-time All-Metro, one time NFCA All-Region, and one-time All-Metro Coaches Team selection. In 2022, Mills helped her team to a district championship and runner-up finish at state finishing with a 37-2 record. A a junior, the Dragons took third at state. Mills tied the single-game home run record with three as a sophomore, and she hit over .500 in the state tournament as a freshman.
Heard on Mills: "Faith will be a great addition to our program both on the field and off. She is a high character student-athlete that we believe can compete right away at a corner infield spot.Ā Offensively, she has the ability to hit for both power and average. We are excited to have her."
Mills on Omaha:Ā "I chose Omaha because I felt God was directing me to pursue my college softball career there, and I really loved the program and coaches."Ā
Tatum Montelongo | Pitcher | North Platte, neb. | North Platte
Montelongo is a four-year letterwinner from North Platte. She is a three-time All-Conference, three-time Class A, two-time Super State, and two-time All-State selection. As a junior, she helped her team to a 26-13 finish and a runner-up finish at districts. In her sophomore season, the Bulldogs posted a 32-11 record for a District Championship. They were runners-up at state that year. The team also finished as the district runner-up her freshman campaign. Montelongo earned Academic All-Conference honors twice.
Heard on Montelongo:Ā "Tatum has been one of the top pitchers in Nebraska high school since her freshman year, and she has pitched at the highest levels with her Nebraska Gold club team. We believe she has the ability to contribute immediately in the circle and the potential to have an outstanding career. Tatum has also shown excellence in the classroom has the character that is a great fit with Omaha softball."
Montelongo on Omaha:Ā "When I stepped on campus I knew it felt like home, and I couldn't find a more impressive facility with a reputable coaching staff!"
Sammy Schmidt | Outfield | Hastings, Neb. | Hastings Senior
Schmidt is a four-year letterwinner out of Hastings Senior. She was tabbed to the Omaha World Herald's All-Nebraska Team twice, and the Lincoln Journal Star's All-Nebraska team once. Schmidt is a three-time All-State selection. As a senior, she broke career records in hits, doubles, triples, and batting average. Schmidt helped her team to runner-up finishes at state as a junior and sophomore. She also set the single-season triples record twice, once as a freshman and again as a junior.
Heard on Schmidt:Ā "Sammy has proven herself as one of the premier hitters in the area and is outstanding in the outfield. She is a true five-tool player. Sammy plays the game with an energy that is infectious to the whole team. She is just a fun player to watch and will be great fit with our team."
Schmidt on Omaha:Ā "I chose Omaha because it feels like home in every way possible, and I get to stay close to the people that I love."
Sara Watson | Catcher | Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville
Watson is a two-year letterwinner out of Bentonville. She will begin her senior season in the spring of 2023. Watson is a three-time All-State selection. She helped her team to state championships as a sophomore and junior.Ā
Heard on Watson:Ā "Sara is an outstanding catcher with the skills to help us immediately behind the plate, but can also help in other positions. She will bring a powerful bat offensively. Sara plays the game with a toughness that we really like and brings great leadership skill to the field. She's just a really good fit with what we are building in our program."
Watson on Omaha: "The school and the team felt like home. Home is where my habits have a habitat."
Haley Wilwerding | Utility | Papillion, Neb. | Papillion - La Vista
Wilwerding is a two-sportĀ athlete out of Papillion - La Vista. She is a four-year letterwinner in both softball and tennis. Wilwerding is a four-time All-Metro, three-time All-State, and one-time NFCA All-Region selection. As a freshman and sophomore, she helped her team post back-to-back undefeated seasons and state championships. Papillion - La Vista took fourth her junior season and third her senior year. Wilwerding is also a four-time All-Metro academic selection.
Heard on Wilwerding: "Haley is the definition of a student-athlete. Her strong work ethic shows well both on the field and in the classroom. Haley brings some real versatility on the defensive side. She can play either corner position in infield or the outfield.Ā She also brings a very strong and consistent bat. She'll be a great fit with our program."
Wilwerding on Omaha:Ā "I chose Omaha because of all of the amazing amenities and opportunities it provides in both academics and athletics. The softball coaches and team wereĀ so welcoming; it just felt like home."
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