Badgers notch six newcomers on National Signing Day

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin softball team is gearing up for their 2022 season this upcoming spring, but on National Signing Day, UW and Head Coach Yvette Healy celebrate the seasons that are a little farther out on the timeline by welcoming six new signees to the Wisconsin family.

On Wednesday the Badgers received six letters of intent to make it a jammed pack National Signing day. Signees included; Wisconsin native Paytn Monticelli, Illinois natives Shelby Jacobson and Emily Bojan, Indiana native Bree Mitchell, Arizona native Rylie Crane and Colorado native Ava Kuszak.

"The Badger softball coaching staff is thrilled to welcome the high school signing class of 2022," Healy said. "This is one of the most talented classes we've ever recruited to Wisconsin. With speed, power, defense and pitching, the future looks bright for Wisconsin softball. It's not often that you can bring in such a powerhouse class at one time. Even more exciting than this class's talent, is their leadership, competitiveness and desire to win. We're honored to bring in great players from hard-working families, who are all driven to make history at Wisconsin."

Read more about each individual signee below as the Badgers prepare for the future of Wisconsin softball.

Paytn Monticelli

As the lone Wisconsin native from this year's signing class, Paytn Monticelli comes in as a 6-foot-2 pitcher from Cedarburg, Wisconsin. She played high school softball at Cederburg High School under coaches Mark Jessup and Jeff Langkamp where she was the 2020-2021 Gatorade Wisconsin Softball Player of the Year, USA Today Wisconsin Softball Player of the Year, D1 WFSCA Player of the Year and First Team-All State. In her junior season she boasted four no-hitters and one perfect game to go along with the records she had already broke her freshman year, including breaking the North Shore Conference single season strikeout record with 151, a record that stood for 20 years. The hurler payed club ball for Premier Beverly Bandits under coaches Seth Holloway and Rex Mack and enjoys staying involved in her community by volunteer coaching 12U and 14U softball teams. Monticelli plans on majoring in business management while at Wisconsin.

Why Wisconsin: "Becoming a Badger has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl attending Badger softball camps. From the moment I stepped on campus and on Goodman Diamond, I knew this was home. Growing up as a die-hard Badger fan it's an honor to represent the State of Wisconsin as a Badger Softball Player."

Healy on Monticelli: "Paytn Monticelli is a Badger through and through. A Wisconsin native who grew up cheering for the Badgers, she became a national pitching recruit with her powerful frame and brute speed and force on the mound. Pitching in the upper 60's, touching 70 miles-per-hour, Paytn has helped lead Cedarburg high school to new heights, earning her Gatorade player of the Year for the state of Wisconsin in 2021. Patyn is sure to inspire little girls across the Midwest as she represents the state of Wisconsin on a national stage."

Shelby Jacobson

A Chicago, Illinois native, Shelby Jacobson joins the Badger pitching staff out of Whitney Young Memorial High School. Jacobson's accolades in the circle include being a 2021 USA Today Sports Illinois Softball Player of the Year Honoree and Illinois Coaches Association First-Team All State honoree in 2021. Her junior season she pitched a 0.60 ERA while going 11-0 in conference play and batting a .603 average. Jacobson is also an impressive golfer, playing all four years of high school and qualifying for sectionals two out of her three seasons so far. The Illinois Chill Gold served as Jacobson's club team during the high school off-season and she also played varsity golf all four years of high school and was a two-time sectional qualifier.

Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because this school represents the best of everything! I knew when I first visited the campus that this was the place I wanted to be. To begin, I love the softball community. The coaches are amazing and personable and the team is talented and friendly. I am excited about spending the next four years with this group! UW-Madison also has superior academics, a beautiful campus, strong athletics and a fantastic school spirit. I can't wait to experience all there is to do in Madison, it has such a cool vibe. In addition, it's not too far from home which my family is excited about. I am so proud and grateful for the opportunity to represent this amazing school in college athletics! On, Wisconsin!"

Healy on Jacobson: "Shelby is a deceptive pitcher with true spin and break. She can throw multiple pitches to all four quadrants with spin rates off the charts. Her pitch movement is elite, providing her a great base to grow from. She's a brilliant student-athlete from Whitney Young high school, who brings a great independent spirit to the program."

Ava Kuszak

Coming in as a middle infield recruit from Broomfield, Colorado, Kuszak is a three-time Colorado State champion with Holy Family High School and an All-State Honorable Mention. In high school, she was a dual-sport state champion, bringing home a trophy in Girl's Soccer, which she participated in all four years, and Kuszak also participated in swimming for two years. She played club softball for the Nebraska Gold under head coach Beth Singleton and played for Team USA Red In the triple Crown International Challenge Tournament. While at Wisconsin she plans on majoring in biology or zoology, and business.

Why Wisconsin: "Ever since I was a little girl I watched Big Ten softball and football and it became a dream at an early age to play at a Big Ten school. Wisconsin has amazing animal studies and academics all around. When I am on the campus, I feel at home and excited to explore new things. The coaches and the players there make me feel welcome and excited to test and push myself to become a better softball player. The University of Wisconsin checked all of the boxes on my list for a perfect college, and I can't wait to be a part of it."

Healy on Kuszak: "Ava Kuszak brings a big personality with her big bat to Madison. She's a strong, athletic short stop who knows how to run the defense. Ava has won National Championships with the Nebraska Gold 18U, and state titles in softball and soccer at Holy Family high school in Broomfield, Colorado. Ava will make an immediate impact on the program with her competitive fire, and ability to win."

Emily Bojan

Bojan joins the Badgers as a 5-foot-11 catcher utility player from Marist High School in Chicago, Illinois. She comes from a family of ball players where both her brother, Bryan, plays college baseball at Marquette and sister, Sharon, plays softball at St. Xavier. As a 2021 Chicago Tribune All-Area First-Team catcher, Bojan also has a connection to pitching newcomer Paytn Monticelli as the two played with each other under Seth Holloway and Rex Mack for the Beverly Bandits Premier. A four-time honor roll selection, Bojan plans on majoring in special education while studying at Wisconsin.

Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because of the family like atmosphere. To be able to obtain a Wisconsin Degree, play softball at a high level and surround myself with amazing coaches and teammates, is a dream come true. As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew could call this place home for the next four years."

Healy on Bojan: "Emily Bojan is a physical, competitive leader who plays with fire and grit. As a catcher and corner, her arm strength neutralizes the run game. She's been in big moments, winning a state championship with Chicago's Marist Catholic High school, and now competing for Bill Conroy's Beverly Bandits. Her power at the plate, and ability to hit for average make her tough to pitch to. Emily's commitment to community service, family and faith make her a perfect fit in our Badger Softball family."

Bree Mitchell

The Badgers get their first outfielder signee from Schererville, Indiana in Bree Mitchell. The Lake Central High School outfielder only lost two games in her high school career thus far and boasts a state appearance for both softball and track, competing in the 400 meter relay on the track. Mitchell is former teammates with fellow UW signee Shelby Jacobson as they both played under Gerry Quinn for the Illinois Chill Gold. Mitchell plans on double-majoring in psychology and marketing in her time at Wisconsin,

Why Wisconsin: "I love the coaches, campus and college life."

Healy of Mitchell: "Bree Mitchelle is an exciting lefty hitter out of Gerry Quin's Illinois Chill program. A standout athlete from Lake Central high school in Northwest Indiana, she has great foot speed and bat speed. Her speed and power make her fun to watch at the plate. She's a lefty hitter with great rotational force, who can score runs and drive them in."

Riley Crane

Rounding out the Wisconsin 2022 signing class is middle infielder Rylie Crane. A 5-foot-7 Tuscon, Arizona native, Crane comes out of the Catalina Foothills High School softball program where she was a 4A First Team all region and four year All Southern Arizona honoree. Crane is also a stellar soccer player as she was named second team all region and was a part of a state semifinalist team. She played club softball for the Arizona Storm, the No. 26 ranked 18U team in the nation in 2021 according to Extra Innings. Crane plans on majoring in business as a student-athlete at UW-Madison.

Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I want to be in an environment where I will be pushed and challenged to be a better student, athlete, and person every single day."

Healy on Crane: "Rylie is triple-threat lefty hitter and slapper from the Arizona Storm Mathis 18U Gold team in Tucson, Arizona. Rylie understands the game at a high level. She's seen great pitching and knows how to produce on the bases. She's a skilled middle infielder with a high softball IQ. She'll be in impact offensive kid, with speed and range. We're excited to see her grow as a Badger."

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