BYU Signing Day: Skyline star Shelley joins golf; American Fork trio adds to women's soccer

PROVO — After a season disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, BYU's nationally acclaimed women's soccer program got better Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA signing period for most sports outside of football.

The signing period runs through Nov. 18 in basketball, and Aug. 1 in all other sports. For BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood, the new signings continue a local show of force among local high school soccer products.

Check back regularly as the Cougars receive more Nation Letters of Intent.

Women's soccer

Addie Gardner, F

5-7 | American Fork HS (American Fork, Utah) | Utah Celtic

American Fork's top striker, Gardner scored a team-high 15 goals with eight assists for a team-best 2.7 points per game to help the Cavemen to their third 6A state championship game in four years. Helped the Cavemen to state titles in 2017 and 2019. Also played basketball.

Ruby Hladek, MF/F

5-7 | American Fork HS (American Fork, Utah) | So Cal Blues SC

A newcomer to American Fork, Hladek moved to Utah from California during the coronavirus pandemic and scored 14 goals with nine assists for the Cavemen during an 18-3 season.

Josie Shepherd, MF

5-6 | American Fork HS (American Fork, Utah) | Utah Celtic

Shepherd was the other double-digit goal scorer on last year's American Fork side, fitting into the point of the Cavemen's midfield formation to tally 10 goals and six assists on the year. She'll join older sister Jamie on the squad, a sophomore at BYU who was named the Gatorade Utah player of the year in 2017.

Caroline Stringfellow, MF/F

5-4 | Syracuse HS (Syracuse, Utah) | USA Premier

Stringfellow poured in 19 goals and 19 assists in helping the Titans to a 12-7 record in 2020. Her 32 assists in 2017 ranks as the fourth-best mark for assists in a season in Utah state history, and her 83 career goals is a school record at Syracuse High — and a top-12 mark in state history.

Jacey Wood, F/MF

5-5 | Desert Oasis HS (Las Vegas, Nev) | Players SC

A 5-foot-5 midfielder from Las Vegas, Wood poured in 27 goals and 19 assists in averaging an eye-popping 4.1 points per game during junior season at Desert Oasis High School, helping the Diamondbacks to a 15-5-3 record. Also ran cross country and track and field.

Kelsey Hoopes, GK

5-7 | Livermore HS (Livermore, Calif.) | Mustang Soccer

A three-year varsity starter, Hoopes posted a 7.097 goals-against average in 24 matches for the Cowboys in her sophomore season.

The new signees join three Division I transfers who signed in October as newcomers to BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood's roster: Mississippi's Grace Johnson, UCLA's Brecken Mozingo and Utah's Natalee Wells.

Johnson, who prepped at Viewmont, had four goals and four assists in three years at Ole Miss, where she played with her sister and former BYU defender Ella Johnson.

Mozingo, a former attacking midfield standout at Alta High, played in just six games as a freshman at UCLA after signing with the Bruins following a standout career with the Hawks, Utah Celtic FC, and local semipro side RSL Women that included UYSA female athlete of the year honors in 2019.

Wells, a defender who prepped at Lone Peak, played every game for the Utes in 2016 and 2017 when she totaled eight assists and nine shots.

Gymnastics

Led by team captains Abby Boden Stainton and Abbey Miner Alder, the BYU gymnastics team will open the season Friday, Jan. 22 at Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference rival Boise State, followed by a trip to Logan to face Utah State on Jan. 29.

The Cougars home opener is Feb. 5 against Southern Utah, the first of back-to-back dates with the Thunderbirds before hosting the Broncos on Feb. 19 and the Aggies on Feb. 26.

The MRGC championships are scheduled for Saturday, March 19.

Jazlyn Wood, All-Around

5-4 | Riverside Polytechnic HS (Riverside, Calif.) | SCEGA

Mina Margraf, All-Around

5-2 | Laurel Springs HS (Spring, Texas) | World Champions Centre

Men's basketball

Jake Wahlin, SF

6-7 | 180 lbs. | Timpview HS (Provo, Utah)

Wahlin committed to Mark Pope and the Cougars back in September and made it official Wednesday with a National Letter of Intent. The 6-foot-7 wing averaged 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per game as a junior, helping the Thunderbirds to the Class 5A state championship game.

The No. 3-rated player in Utah by 247 Sports who picked the Cougars over Arizona State, San Diego, and others, Wahlin is expected to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to enrolling at BYU.

Men's golf

Tyson Shelley | Skyline HS (Salt Lake City) | 5-11

Local golf standout Tyson Shelley signed a scholarship agreement with head coach Bruce Brockbank's program Friday, the Cougars announced.

The 2019 Utah Junior Golfer of the Year led Skyline High to three-straight state titles from 2018-20, including adding medalist honors as a senior with a state-record 16-under-par 128.

"Today is a great day for BYU golf," Brockbank said. "We have been looking forward to Tyson signing with BYU for months. We are thrilled to have him join the Cougar golf family. Tyson is a great young man who is fun to be around and loves to compete. He has a tremendous junior golf record that will help him contribute to our team and its success the day he arrives on campus."

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