Aberdeen, S.D. – Northern State University head coach
Nicole Monanian announced today the addition of five student-athletes for the 2020-21 season. Hannah Echelberger (Thorton, Colo.), Maddie Gonzales (Northglenn, Colo.), Kenzi Matson (Deforest, Wis.), Holly Randall (Manhattan, Kan.), and Mayson Sheldon (Mandan, N.D.) will join the Wolves next fall.
"We have had the opportunity to be extremely selective with our incoming signees and are excited with the Wolves who will join us next fall," explained Monanian. "I am confident that they are going to be big contributors both in the pool and in the classroom."
Hannah Echelberger is a freestyle and breaststroke swimmer out of Horizon High School. She is a 3-year letter winner for the Horizon Hawks. Echelberger holds personal bests of 2:02.20 in the 200 free and 1:12.15 in the 100 breast. In addition, she is a member of the Life Time Colorado program. Echelberger also holds personal bests of 2:38.30 in the 200 breast and 56.80 in the 100 free with Lifetime Colorado. In addition, she is a Western Zone qualifier. She is the daughter of Leslie Echelberger.
Monanian on Echelberger:
"Hannah is going to be an outstanding addition to our team. She really understands the uniqueness of NSU and Aberdeen. We are excited to have her as part of the pack."
Maddie Gonzales is a backstroke swimmer out of Mountain Range High School. She is a 4-year letter winner and team captain for the Mustangs under the direction of head coach Jeff Johnson. Gonzales tallied a time of 57.50 in the 100 backstroke at the Colorado State Championships a season ago, finishing in the top-15 in the race. She is a 4-year state qualifier in the 100 back and 3-year qualifier in the 100 free, 100 fly, 50 free, 200 free, and 200 individual medley. In addition, Gonzales is a 4-time Speedo Sectionals qualifier in the 100 back, 200 back, and 100 fly. She is the daughter of Lisa and Joe Gonzales.
Monanian on Gonzales:
"We are excited about Maddie she is going to be a top backstroke for us. Her current times would place her in the top-8 in our conference and we are expecting her to be an NCAA qualifier in her freshman year."
Kenzi Matson is a freestyle and butterfly swimmer out of Deforest Area High School. She is a 4-year letter winner and team captain for the Norskie under the direction of head coach Matt Engelhardt. Matson holds personal bests of 2:20.89 in the 200 fly, 5:24.70 in the 500 free, and 2:03.33 in the 200 free. She is an all-conference performer and state placer in the 500 free. She is the daughter of Sandi and Brian Matson.
Monanian on Matson:
"We are excited about adding Kenzi to our roster. Her current times rank her in the top-16 for our conference and we are planning to see some big time drops in her first year with us."
Holly Randall is a freestyle and backstroke swimmer out of Manhattan High School. She is a 3-year letter winner and team captain for Indians under the direction of head coach Alexander Brown. Randall holds personal bests of 25.71 in the 50 free and 57.80 in the 100 free. Randall is a 3-time All-Centennial league performer, as well as a district and state qualifier. Manhattan High School won the 2019 Centennial League Championship a season ago. She is the daughter of Stephen and Brenda Randall.
Monanian on Randall:
"Holly is going to be a great addition to our team particularly in her sprint freestyle event. She will be a key contributor in the pool on our relays and in the classroom with her excellent ACT score."
Mayson Sheldon is a breaststroke swimmer out of Mandan High School. She is a 6-year letter winner and senior team captain for the Braves under the direction of head coach Ralph Manley. Sheldon is a 4-time all-conference selection, all-state honoree, and 6-year member of the academic all-state team. Sheldon holds a personal best of 1:06.88 in the 100 breaststroke. She is the daughter of Scott and Mandy Sheldon.
Monanian on Sheldon:
"Mayson is ranked sixth in the state of North Dakota and we are thrilled to be adding her to the pack. Her current times rank her in the top-16 for our conference and we are looking forward to big things from her."
