Husker Golfers Add Talented Trio

Lincoln - Nebraska women's golf coach Robin Krapfl announced the signing of three recruits to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period for the 2008-09 season on Thursday.

Maddie Sheils, one of the top 30 junior players in the United States, Natalie Gleadall, one of the top junior players in Canada, and Carolyn Schorgl, a top player in the Kansas and Missouri junior ranks, all formally announced their intent to become Huskers next season.

"Overall, this may be the best class we have ever signed here at Nebraska," said Krapfl, who is in her 21st season leading the Husker program. "They all have the potential to step in and compete for spots in our lineup right away next season, and that is saying something because we feel like we have some really talented young golfers in our program right now."

In addition to the athletic potential of the future Huskers, Krapfl also said she was excited about the outstanding character each one of the golfers would bring to the program in the coming years.

"The one common denominator that all three of these young women have is tremendous character," Krapfl said. "I think they are going to bring great attitudes and work ethics in pursuing not only the athletic goals, but also their academic goals. I think we are going to be proud to have them as representatives of the University of Nebraska both on and off the course."

Maddie Sheils, Boise, Idaho (Bishop Kelly)
One of the most highly ranked recruits in Nebraska women's golf history, Maddie Sheils is ranked 29th in the Polo Golf rankings for the Class of 2008.

Just the second Idaho native to sign with NU in history, joining current Husker senior Elli Brown from Meridian, Sheils stepped into the national spotlight by winning the 2007 Trusted Choice Big "I" Junior Classic at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise. The Big "I", which is funded by the Tiger Woods Foundation, is one of the most prestigious junior events in the country.

Sheils also competed in the 2007 Callaway Junior World Championships in San Diego in July, and is currently ranked No. 195 in the Junior World rankings. She also won the PGA Junior Series in Las Vegas in June by eight strokes, including a four-under-par 68 in the opening round.

A senior at Idaho golf power Bishop Kelly, Sheils won the 2005 Idaho State High School championship as a freshman in 2005. As a junior in 2007, Bishop Kelly ran away with the team title by a whopping 115 strokes for its third straight Idaho Class 4A team title.

Sheils chose Nebraska over Santa Clara, New Mexico and San Francisco among many others.

"Maddie is probably the best ball-striker in this year's class. She is very consistent and has an excellent short game," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "She is an intelligent player both on and off the course. Not only does she play a smart game, but she is ranked No. 1 academically in her high school class. She has a little bit of a perfectionist attitude, and she expects to play at a high level every time she sets foot on the course."

Natalie Gleadall, Stratford, Ontario, Canada (St. Michael's)
One of the top young players in Canada, Natalie Gleadall is the biggest hitter in this year's class of recruits.

Playing in a full slate of Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) tournaments in 2007, Gleadall ranked in the top four in the GAO final season rankings. She finished third in the Investors Group Junior Tournament of Champions to open the season. She added a tie for sixth at the Investors Group Women's Amateur Championship, before tying for fourth in the Junior Girls Championships. She advanced to the semifinals of the Junior Girls Match Play, and finished among the top 35 players at both the 2006 and 2007 Royal Canadian National Junior Girls Championships. In 2007, she finished second in the long drive competition at the junior national championships. In 2006, Gleadall finished second in the girls 15-18 division at the Canadian Optimist Junior Golf National Championships with a three-round total of 228.

Gleadall also experienced a memorable moment on the course earlier this year when she was one 18 Canadian junior golfers selected to play with Annika Sorenstam and Lorie Kane in the second annual Scotiabank Women's Charity Challenge in Aurora, Ontario. The event raised $265,000 in support of various women's charities across Canada.

Gleadall chose Nebraska over Iowa State and Michigan State.

"Natalie has great length both off the tee and with her irons. She has just recently started focusing on golf, so she has some real long-term potential," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "She is one of the top players in Ontario and has been selected for national team training by the Golf Association of Ontario, so that will help her make the transition to college golf. She is a team player and she has a great enthusiasm for the game. She is a real competitor on the course, and she knows how to perform under pressure."

Carolyn Schorgl, Leawood, Kan. (Notre Dame de Sion, Mo.)
The 2007 Four-State individual champion, Carolyn Schorgl will join the Huskers in 2008 after an impressive high school and junior career. Schorgl, a native of Leawood, Kan., finished third in the Missouri Junior Girls Championship and won the Missouri AJGA qualifer. An all-state selection at Missouri high school power Notre Dame de Sion, Schorgl helped her team to the 2007 state title as a senior. She also helped Coach Dana Hoeper to a Missouri Class 2 runner-up finish in 2006, and a fourth-place team finish as a sophomore in 2005. As a senior this fall, Schorgl owned a 76 stroke average and placed in the top three in every regular-season tournament before placing seventh at the state championships.

An excellent all-around athlete, Schorgl is also a three-year letterwinner in swimming as a competitor in the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

"Carolyn is fairly new to selecting golf as a priority. She is an excellent all-around athlete, and she is an excellent student," Coach Robin Krapfl said. "She also has a golf pedigree, because her dad, Charlie, played collegiately at Wake Forest. She has good length, a strong short game and most importantly she works hard at her game."

Schorgl is a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in business administration at Nebraska. She chose Nebraska over Missouri and Mississippi.

"Coach Krapfl just seemed like an awesome coach and the girls on the team were very welcoming to me," Schorgl said. "Nebraska has a great program, and I enjoyed Lincoln's friendly atmosphere."