Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
Seven out of state recruits are set to join the Northwest College volleyball team next week, wrapping up the recruiting process for the 2023 class as the season begins on Aug. 1.
That class will include three recruits from both Montana and Utah, with one recruit making her way to Powell from Idaho.
That lone Idaho recruit is Taylor Wilson, who makes her way east from Rockland.
Wilson was named the player of the year for her conference this past year while also being named to the 1A Division II All-State team in Idaho.
“She’s a small town kid,” coach Scott Keister said. “She came on a visit and jumped into practice with our team. Struggled at first like most recruits do because they are nervous, but within about 10 minutes she was rocking and rolling.”
She will join Northwest as an outside hitter this upcoming season.
Recruits from Montana include a libero from Joliet, as Annika Bushman is heading south to join the Trappers.
She finished with 213 digs this past season, and won the state title for the first time in school history in 2020.
“A big draw for her was the creation of our four-year criminal justice program,” Keister said. “She’s a libero, her sister plays at Rocky Mountain College. She never stops talking and is like the energizer bunny. She’s been coming to our camps for a couple of years, and knows our gym and our team well.”
Another recruit who will be making her way just south to Powell will be Trinity Frank, who will be joining the Trappers after playing in Red Lodge this past year.
She will join as a hitter, and already has a connection with Powell after her dad and brother moved to Powell a year ago while she finished her senior year in Montana.
“She has been playing club with the Cody team this past year,” Keister said. “She has a great attitude, will be a great teammate. She works hard and doesn’t complain.”
The final recruit for the Trappers from Montana will be Tilli Danczyk, who will be making her way to Powell from Stevensville.
She will be joining Northwest as a middle blocker and had the third most kills in Class A in 2021.
From Utah, the Trappers will be bringing in three new recruits — including Kennedy Oman from Plain City.
She finished with 74 kills during her senior season for Fremont High School and will play as an outside hitter for the Trappers.
Another athlete joining Northwest is Oman’s Fremont High teammate Burkelle Field.
Field finished with 84 kills during her senior year, and will also come to Northwest as an outside hitter.
“Both were middles off of that team,” Keister said. “They both have the skillset to do the whole front row. We aren’t sure where they are going to end up yet. I think they both flew under the radar a bit because they were late bloomers for whatever reason.”
Both players played on different club teams but will bring their high school connection to Northwest.
The final recruit from Utah is Alexis Grgich, who comes from Stansbury Park.
“She has a little bit of work to get to the elite college level but I think we will get her there pretty fast,” Keister said. “She is another 6-footer that gives us some size. We are going to be a tall team.”
Northwest will be hosting a free camp for kids from 3-7 p.m. next Monday at Cabre Gym, with an opportunity to meet and work with the 2023 Trapper volleyball team.
More information can be found on the Trapper Volleyball Facebook page.