UNI softball adds five person 2023 class for National Signing Day
11/10/2022 1:06:00 PM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Panthers have another talented group signing with the team on National Signing day.
UNI is adding five players to their 2023 recruiting class with incoming freshman Sykora Smith, Addison Brunner, Maddy McDermott, and Paige Peterson while adding depth with Kirkwood transfer Kara Maeirs.
"We are so excited about the class of 2023 recruits," said Head Coach Ryan Jacobs. "There are some big shoes to fill from this year's senior class, and we have some unbelievable talent to do it. The one thing they all have in common is the desire to compete and win at the highest level.
"Much like many of our recruiting classes, this class has amazing versatility with most of them having the ability to play two or three positions on the field. On and off the field, all of them have extraordinary drive to achieve their goals and are willing to work extra to achieve them. It's a perfect fit for UNI Softball."
Sykora Smith | RHP/UT | Park City, Kan.
Smith was the Panthers earliest verbal commitment at the beginning of the year. "Sykora is a very polished middle of the lineup hitter from the right side of the plate," said Coach Jacobs. "She can hit for power and hit for a high average. Everything she does with the bat is consistent and efficient. Defensively she can handle playing any position in the infield and is an all-state pitcher in high school. She will add to the versatility of our infield and offensive depth."
Over the past three years Smith has spent time as both a pitcher and infielder for the Valley Center Hornets. Smith also excels at the plate, making her a well-rounded threat on the diamond. Smith has also spent time with the Kansas Renegades travel softball team.
Addison Brunner | OF/1B | Des Moines, Iowa
Brunner can play either the outfield or the infield when she joins the Panthers next year. A Des Moines native, she has spent the past three years with the Southeast Polk Rams including a run to the 5A state softball tournament this past season. While the Rams only made it to the quarterfinal, Brunner continues playing outside the high school season as a member of the Iowa Bandits travel team.
"The first thing you notice about Addison when she plays is how hard she works and competes," said Jacobs. "Seeing her play for the first time in the Iowa High School State Tournament in Fort Dodge that is what caught my eye right away. Not only does Addi play tough, she swings a powerful bat as well. She has the potential to be a very good D1 hitter. She also has the versatility to play in the outfield or at first base which will help give us great depth on defense."
Maddy McDermott | P/UT | Eldridge, Iowa
The Panther pitching recruit comes from the Quad Cities area as McDermott has spent her high school career with the North Scott Lancers. "Maddy is a hard throwing pitcher who will add leadership and confidence on the mound," said Coach Jacobs. "Her untapped potential is very high. She comes from North Scott High School and led them all the way to a state semifinal last summer," Along with being in the circle for the Lancers, McDermott is a great hitter as well. In addition to playing for North Scott, McDermott plays travel ball with the Southeast IA All Stars.
Paige Peterson | INF/UT | Johnston, Iowa
Peterson plays around the infield as a utility player with experience at first base, second base, and shortstop. Along with her versatility on the diamond, Peterson excels at the plate as well. While playing with the Johnston Dragons, Peterson was a major contributor in home runs and RBIs. The Dragons made a run to the 4A regional finals where Peterson played a key role.
"Paige is a dedicated and passionate softball player," says Jacobs. "Along with her passion for the game she is very athletic and is able to play anywhere the team needs her. Paige has proved she is one of the best hitters from the state of Iowa, and also has showed an exceptional work ethic on and off the field.
"We are very excited about Paige's potential and what she can bring to the Panther Softball Program. We know she has been coached very well at Johnston High School by Coach Todd Merical, who year in and year out coaches one of the top programs in the state."
Kara Maeirs | P | North Liberty, Iowa | Kirkwood Community College
"Kara is in her second season at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids," says Coach Jacobs. "Kara has done a great job developing as a pitcher under Coach Frese at Kirkwood. She has a great feel for pitching, developed her pitches, and understands what it takes to get good hitters out. Kara will add a lot to our pitching staff next year. It has been fun to see Kara grow since high school at Liberty High School, and we are excited to see what she will do for UNI Softball in the next two years."
Maeirs is the Panthers lone transfer signing of the 2023 class. Maeirs has spent her first two seasons with the Kirkwood Community College Eagles. In her freshman season with the Eagles, Maeirs played 22 games with 10 starts in the circle. In 67.2 innings pitched, Maeirs threw 78 strikeouts while only allowing 40 runs for a 3.00 ERA.
"I also want to recognize yet another excellent job our entire staff has done recruiting this year," Coach Jacobs adds. "Like every year, there has been lots of travel and time away from family. Our staff has been very dedicated and committed to the recruiting process.
"When student athletes see the level of passion, loyalty, and desire our staff has, it is something they want to be a part of. The efforts of Coach Wright, it couldn't happen this way without her dedication and passion for UNI Softball. The loyalty and sacrifice of Coach Furnal is what makes our program strong."
UNI is adding five players to their 2023 recruiting class with incoming freshman Sykora Smith, Addison Brunner, Maddy McDermott, and Paige Peterson while adding depth with Kirkwood transfer Kara Maeirs.
"We are so excited about the class of 2023 recruits," said Head Coach Ryan Jacobs. "There are some big shoes to fill from this year's senior class, and we have some unbelievable talent to do it. The one thing they all have in common is the desire to compete and win at the highest level.
"Much like many of our recruiting classes, this class has amazing versatility with most of them having the ability to play two or three positions on the field. On and off the field, all of them have extraordinary drive to achieve their goals and are willing to work extra to achieve them. It's a perfect fit for UNI Softball."
Sykora Smith | RHP/UT | Park City, Kan.
Smith was the Panthers earliest verbal commitment at the beginning of the year. "Sykora is a very polished middle of the lineup hitter from the right side of the plate," said Coach Jacobs. "She can hit for power and hit for a high average. Everything she does with the bat is consistent and efficient. Defensively she can handle playing any position in the infield and is an all-state pitcher in high school. She will add to the versatility of our infield and offensive depth."
Over the past three years Smith has spent time as both a pitcher and infielder for the Valley Center Hornets. Smith also excels at the plate, making her a well-rounded threat on the diamond. Smith has also spent time with the Kansas Renegades travel softball team.
Addison Brunner | OF/1B | Des Moines, Iowa
Brunner can play either the outfield or the infield when she joins the Panthers next year. A Des Moines native, she has spent the past three years with the Southeast Polk Rams including a run to the 5A state softball tournament this past season. While the Rams only made it to the quarterfinal, Brunner continues playing outside the high school season as a member of the Iowa Bandits travel team.
"The first thing you notice about Addison when she plays is how hard she works and competes," said Jacobs. "Seeing her play for the first time in the Iowa High School State Tournament in Fort Dodge that is what caught my eye right away. Not only does Addi play tough, she swings a powerful bat as well. She has the potential to be a very good D1 hitter. She also has the versatility to play in the outfield or at first base which will help give us great depth on defense."
Maddy McDermott | P/UT | Eldridge, Iowa
The Panther pitching recruit comes from the Quad Cities area as McDermott has spent her high school career with the North Scott Lancers. "Maddy is a hard throwing pitcher who will add leadership and confidence on the mound," said Coach Jacobs. "Her untapped potential is very high. She comes from North Scott High School and led them all the way to a state semifinal last summer," Along with being in the circle for the Lancers, McDermott is a great hitter as well. In addition to playing for North Scott, McDermott plays travel ball with the Southeast IA All Stars.
Paige Peterson | INF/UT | Johnston, Iowa
Peterson plays around the infield as a utility player with experience at first base, second base, and shortstop. Along with her versatility on the diamond, Peterson excels at the plate as well. While playing with the Johnston Dragons, Peterson was a major contributor in home runs and RBIs. The Dragons made a run to the 4A regional finals where Peterson played a key role.
"Paige is a dedicated and passionate softball player," says Jacobs. "Along with her passion for the game she is very athletic and is able to play anywhere the team needs her. Paige has proved she is one of the best hitters from the state of Iowa, and also has showed an exceptional work ethic on and off the field.
"We are very excited about Paige's potential and what she can bring to the Panther Softball Program. We know she has been coached very well at Johnston High School by Coach Todd Merical, who year in and year out coaches one of the top programs in the state."
Kara Maeirs | P | North Liberty, Iowa | Kirkwood Community College
"Kara is in her second season at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids," says Coach Jacobs. "Kara has done a great job developing as a pitcher under Coach Frese at Kirkwood. She has a great feel for pitching, developed her pitches, and understands what it takes to get good hitters out. Kara will add a lot to our pitching staff next year. It has been fun to see Kara grow since high school at Liberty High School, and we are excited to see what she will do for UNI Softball in the next two years."
Maeirs is the Panthers lone transfer signing of the 2023 class. Maeirs has spent her first two seasons with the Kirkwood Community College Eagles. In her freshman season with the Eagles, Maeirs played 22 games with 10 starts in the circle. In 67.2 innings pitched, Maeirs threw 78 strikeouts while only allowing 40 runs for a 3.00 ERA.
"I also want to recognize yet another excellent job our entire staff has done recruiting this year," Coach Jacobs adds. "Like every year, there has been lots of travel and time away from family. Our staff has been very dedicated and committed to the recruiting process.
"When student athletes see the level of passion, loyalty, and desire our staff has, it is something they want to be a part of. The efforts of Coach Wright, it couldn't happen this way without her dedication and passion for UNI Softball. The loyalty and sacrifice of Coach Furnal is what makes our program strong."
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