SIGNING RELEASE (PDF)
Bismarck, ND - University of Mary head football coach Myron Schulz announced today the commitment of 27 high school student-athletes and four junior college transfer to continue their education and play football at U-Mary.
Today's announcement comes on the first day student-athletes are eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent with NCAA Division I and Division II colleges.
2013 MARAUDERS FOOTBALL COMMITMENTS
Tucker Benjamin (TE/WR, 6-2, 210, Woodbury, MN / Woodbury HS)
Tucker Benjamin earned all-conference honorable mention honors as a senior at Woodbury High School in 2012 after catching 46 passes for 553 yards. He has earned two letters in football, three in track and one in wrestling. The son of Kim Benjamin, Tucker will pursue a degree in physical therapy at the University of Mary.
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Maceo Brown (CB, 6-2, 170, Chandler, AZ / Corona Del Sol HS)
A team captain at Corona Del Sol High School,
Maceo Brown twice earned second team all-section honors and was an honorable mention all-section player. He won his team's Captain Coaches Award and also was named captain of his rugby team. Brown posted 100 tackles (52 solo) with an interception and two forced fumbles. He also posted 400 total yards of offense and scored three touchdowns. The son of Nicole Brown, Maceo is undecided on a major at the University of Mary.
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Taj Brown (OL, 6-3, 285, Merced, CA/Merced College)
Receiving interest from Division I schools out of high school,
Taj Brown opted to start his career at Merced College. While in high school, Brown was named team Captain and 1st team all-conference. In his second year at Merced Brown was named All-GGC Honorable Mention. Brown is currently enrolled at U-Mary and plans to major in mass communication.
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Caleb Buck (QB, 6-0, 180, Maricopa, AZ / Maricopa HS)
A team captain and most valuable player,
Caleb Buck earned honorable mention all-state honors after completing 122 passes for a conference-high 1,880 yards. He averaged 170 yards passing per game and threw for 22 touchdowns, also a conference–high. He once threw six touchdown passes in a game and had a game-high 304 yards. A National Honor Society member, Caleb is the son of Johnny and Nancy Buck and is undecided on a major at the University of Mary.
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Alec Clausing (DB, 6-4, 195, Fridley, MN / Totino Grace HS)
An honorable mention all-conference selection,
Alec Clausing was a member of the Minnesota Class 5A state championship team as a senior in 2012, winning the Max Preps defensive player of the game honors in both the semi-final and championship games. He posted 82 tackles and three interceptions last year. The son of Tom and Ann Clausing, Alec plans to major in engineering or pre-medicine at the University of Mary.
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Jay Cooper (DB, 5-11, 170, Rapid City, SD / St. Thomas More HS)
An all-conference performer and team captain, Jay Cooper was a two-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back. A four year letter winner, Cooper helped St. Thomas More High School earn three conference titles and go 33-10 since his freshman year. He placed third at the 2012 South Dakota state track meet in both the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles. A member of the National Honor Society and the honor roll, Jay is the son of Dan and Carol Cooper and will major in Physical Therapy at the University of Mary.
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Brennan Doan (WR, 5-9, 155, Bismarck, ND / Century HS)
Second team all-state wide receiver,
Brennan Doan helped lead Bismarck Century High School to runner-up finishes in the state playoffs for two straight years (2011, 2012). Also an All-WDA selection as a senior, he caught 17 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown in 2012.
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Jake East (WR, 6-1, 195, Clovis, CA/Fresno City College)
A Buchanan High School graduate,
Jake East is a transfer from Fresno City College. While in high school east way named offensive player of the year, 1st team all-conference and second team All-Valley. East finished his sophomore season with 423 yards on 26 receptions for four touchdowns. East is currently enrolled at U-Mary and is undecided.
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Jordan Eggleston (LB, 6-3, 205, Las Vegas, NV / Arbor View HS)
An honorable mention all-district performer,
Jordan Eggleston led Arbor View High School to a district championship and the school's first undefeated regular season. The team finished the season 10-1. Selected as a scholar-athlete, Eggleston is active in many community service projects, including work with autistic children and local elections. The son of Camisha Gathright and Joshua Eggleston, Jordan plans to major in criminal justice at the University of Mary.
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Jack Evenson (OL, 6-6, 260, Minneapolis, MN / Washburn HS)
An honorable mention All-Conference offensive lineman at Washburn High School, Jack Everson had the distinction of blocking for two 1,000 yard rushers last season. An honor roll student, Everson will major in engineering or athletic training at the University of Mary.
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Seth Ewoniuk (WR, 5-8, 155, Belfield, ND / Heart River HS)
A first team all-state selection his senior year after earning second team honors as a junior,
Seth Ewoniuk also was a three-time first team all-region running back. As a senior he rushed for 1,521 yards and 21 touchdowns and totaled 1,962 all-purpose yardage with 27 touchdowns. In his career Ewoniuk ran for 4,358 yards and 22 touchdowns and he holds six school records. An all-district performer in track, Seth will major in biology at the University of Mary.
Mike Flowers (DL, 6-4, 270, Maplewood, MN / Hill Murray HS)
A team captain for Hill Murray High School, Mike Flowers is a three-time all-conference performer and was named the conference defensive lineman of the year in 2010. The Maplewood, MN, native also earned all-metro honors in 2010. He twice was named his school's defensive and team most valuable player. He also competes in basketball and track and intends to major in international business at the University of Mary.
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Jonah Hoe (RB, 5-9, 170, Walla Walla, WA / Walla Walla HS)
A first-team 4A all-state running back for Walla Walla High School,
Jonah Hoe was the Mid Columbia Conference offensive player of the year, a 1st team all-conference performer, the Washington Sports Network Player of the Year and the Washington Sports Network Thorton Award Winner. A team captain, Hoe twice won the Felix Fletcher Most Valuable Player award and earned three letters. He broke seven Walla Wall records, including most yards career (3,904), most rushing yards in a season (1,828), most touchdowns in a game (5), most yards in a game (433), most all-purpose yards for a career (4459), most all-purpose yards in a season (2080), and most all purpose yards in a game (441). A two-time scholar-athlete selection, Jonah's parents – Heather and Keola – are University of Mary graduates. He plans to pursue a degree in teacher education at U-Mary.
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Reece Johnson (TE, 6-4, 200, Fergus Falls, MN / Fergus Falls HS)
A tight end from Fergus Falls, MN,
Reece Johnson was a team captain as a senior and earned Central Lakes all-conference honors. He also plays basketball and baseball. Named to the conference scholar-athlete honor roll for is the son of Blake and Janelle Johnson and intends to pursue a business degree from the University of Mary.
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Ben Jolliffe (QB, 6-2, 180, Bismarck, ND / Bismarck High School)
The starting quarterback for two straight state championship Bismarck High School teams (2011, 2012), the Demons went 23-1 with
Ben Jolliffe at the helm. A WDA All-Region quarterback as a junior and senior, he threw 29 career touchdown passes. The brother of Marauders wide receiver
Nick Jolliffe, Ben also competes in basketball and track. The son of Rhonda and
Nick Jolliffe, Ben will major in business at the University of Mary,
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Turnar Kist (TE, 6-1, 204, Winnipeg, Manitoba / St. Paul's High School)
A member of the provincial football champion St. Paul's High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Turner Kist caught nine passes for 103 yards as a senior. His brother Tylar is a defensive lineman for the Marauders. An honor roll student, Turner is the son of Gwen and Tim Kist and will major in history/social studies education.
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Nick Kottre (WR, 5-9, 170, Bismarck, ND / Bismarck HS)
A part of the 2012 Bismarck High School state championship team,
Nick Kottre will major in physical therapy at the University of Mary.
Craig Kyllo (OL, 6-4, 320, Arthur, ND / Northern Cass HS)
An All-Region lineman for Northern Cass High School,
Craig Kyllo is the son of Elizabeth Perry and Korey Kyllo and will major in psychology at the University of Mary.
Nick Larson (QB, 6-1, 175, Selby, SD / Selby Area HS)
A two-time all-state performer, Nick Larson quarterbacked Selby Area High School to a 10-1 mark as a senior in 2012. He is a three-time all-conference performer and was named his team's offensive most valuable player three times. Larson, who threw for 1,057 yards last season, was the team's most improved player as a freshman. The son of Clayton and Marla Larson, Nick will major in biology at the University of Mary.
Bronte Liggins (LB, 6-3, 210, Lincoln, ND / Bismarck HS)
A three-year letter winner for Bismarck High School,
Bronte Liggins played on back-to-back state championship teams. He also competes in track and field for the Demons. Bronte is undecided on a major at the University of Mary.
Daniel Murphy (OL, 6-2, 270, Bismarck, ND / Century HS)
A team captain as a senior,
Daniel Murphy played for a Bismarck Century High School team that finished as the state runner-up his junior and senior seasons (2011, 2012). He also has qualified for the state track meet in the shot put. A member of the National Honor Society, Daniel is the son of Ed and Becky Murphy and plans to major in athletic training / exercise science at the University of Mary.
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Mark Muscha (RB, 6-1, 210, Beulah, ND / Beulah HS)
A Class AA All-West Region selection and a Shrine Bowl alternate,
Mark Muscha played on both sides of the ball at Beulah High School. The native of Beulah, ND, Muscha ran for 691 yards and eight touchdowns on 92 carries and posted 98 tackles (60 solo) and forced three fumbles on defense to lead his team to the state playoffs. He also played on the baseball state championship team. The president of his Future Farmers of America chapter who has earned a Gold Leadership Award, Mark is the son of Jolene and Vern Muscha and will major in criminal justice at the University of Mary.
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Brady Olson (WR, 5-10, 180, Westby, MT / Westby HS)
An All-State Six-Man football player at Westby (MT) High School,
Brady Olson averaged 14.2 yards per rush as a senior and set school records for single season rushing yards per game and receiving yards per game. He also posted 120 tackles and five interceptions and is an East-West Shrine Bowl alternate. An all-state basketball player as a junior who is currently averaging 22.1 points per game this season, Olson also is a two-time all-state long jumper. An honor roll student and a Boy's State delegate, Brady is the son of Kellly and Shari Olson and plans to major in physical education at the University of Mary.
Jacob Parker (DB, 6-2, 180, Las Vegas, NV / Arbor View HS)
A first-team all-conference cornerback as a senior in 2012,
Jacob Parker played three years of varsity football for Arbor View High School in Las Vegas, NV. He led the team to their first-ever undefeated regular season and a district championship while finishing the year at 10-1. Parker also is a two-year varsity athlete in track and field. The son of Cassandra and Brian Parker, Jacob has earned an academic letter from his high school and plans to major in accounting/pre-engineering at the University of Mary.
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Brock Pittsley (OL/DL. 6-1, 270, Killdeer, ND / Killdeer HS)
A two-time all-state defensive lineman at Killdeer High School,
Brock Pittsley was the Region 4 Senior Athlete of the Year. A team captain, Pittley is a four year varsity letter winner who was a three-time all conference and a three-time all-region defensive lineman. His senior year he posted 73 tackles (25 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, nine hurries, forced two fumbles and recovered one. Brock also competes in basketball, track and golf and will major in biology at the University of Mary.
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Va-Shawn Pope (WR, 6-4, 207, Grand Forks, ND / Red River HS)
An honorable mention All-Eastern Dakota Conference selection at Red River High School, Va-Shawn Pope helped the Roughriders win a share of two consecutive EDC titles. The brother of Marauders all-conference wide receiver
Elby Pope, Va-Shawn caught 16 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in 2011 as a junior and had 16 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown his senior season. The son of Christie Hagen and Elbert Pope, Va-Shawn will major in physical education at the University of Mary.
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Jon Pulido (WR, 6-2, 190, Fresno, CA/Fresno City College)
A junior college transfer,
Jon Pulido had 82 catches for 1300 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Clovis North Educational Center. In high school Pulido was twice named all-league and was once an all-state selection. While at Fresno City College, Pulido helped lead the team to an 18-2 record. Pulido will join U-Mary in the fall of 2013 and is currently undecided on a major.
Riley Riehl (LB, 5-11, 190, Bismarck, ND / Century HS)
A multi-sport athlete,
Riley Riehl played for a Bismarck Century High School squad that finished as the state runner-up his junior and senior year (2011, 2012). The Patriot ROCK award winner as a senior as the hardest worker on the team, Rielhl was named the 2011 semifinal game most valuable player. He was second in the shot put in the 2012 west region meet and also competes in basketball and rodeo. The son of Lori Riehl and Russ Riehl, Riley will major in exercise science at the University of Mary.
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Tyler Sadowsky (LB, 5-9, 180, Bismarck, ND / Mandan HS)
A two-time first team All-State selection at linebacker,
Tyler Sadowsky led Mandan High School to the state semifinals as a junior in 2011.
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Seth Westby (RB, 6-1, 200, Mandan, ND/North Dakota)
After a successful prep career and Mandan High School, Seth Westby joined the University of North Dakota football team in 2012. While at Mandan, Westby was a first team all-conference and all-state selection. The 6-1 running back was also named a North Dakota Gatorade P.O.Y. nominee. Westby is currently enrolled at U-Mary and has four years of eligibility remaining.
Brady Zittleman (DB, 5-9, 170, Mandan, ND / Mandan HS)
A first team all-state defensive back as a senior,
Brady Zittleman capped off his career at Mandan High School by also earning WDA All-Region honors. As a junior he also garnered all-region honors while leading the Braves to the state playoff semi-finals. Zittleman earned the Leo Jablonski Rookie of the Year honor in American Legion baseball. An academic all-conference performer (2010-12) and an Earl Livdahl recipient, Brady is the son of Richard and Susan Zittleman and plans to major in biology or pre-medicine at the University of Mary.
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