University of Northern Colorado Athletics
11/17/2019 10:59:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Head Coach Jenny Huth will have a wealth of young talent next fall
Head coach Jenny Huth announced the signing of three student-athletes who will join the team for the 2020-2021 season. Hannah Semintal, Olivia Wikstrom and Elli Garnett signed their national letters of intent and will suit up for UNC next fall.
"As a group, we will be adding three-point shooting, hard workers, team first players, awesome students and great human beings to our program," Huth said.
The three new Bears will give Coach Huth and UNC a depth of talent to work with next season.
Hannah Semintal, Guard, 5'8, Pueblo, Colo., Pueblo West High School
Hannah Semintal arrives at Northern Colorado from Pueblo West, where she has been named to the All-State FirstTeam the past three seasons. Semintal was named the Chieftain Player of the Year, along with SCL Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. At Pueblo West, Semintal holds the record for most points scored in a game, most points in a season, highest three-point percentage and highest free-throw percentage.
"I chose to be a Bear because the coaches not only provided what I wanted on the court, but they also supported my goals and aspirations off the court," Semintal said. "My faith and family are the most important things in my life and the coaches and staff make me feel at home."
During her high school career, Semintal helped Pueblo West to win the SCL three times.
"[Hannah] comes from a family of college basketball players, she's played for a top-level club team in Colorado Premier which will help prepare her for Division I basketball," Huth said of Semintal. "She's a hard worker, great teammate, and she's a great fit for us on and off the court. She's got a great shot, basketball IQ and defender. We are thrilled to welcome Hannah to our UNC Bear family."
Semintal is undecided about a major to pursue while at UNC.
Olivia Wikstrom, Guard, 6'1, Bainbridge Island, Wash., Bainbridge High School
Olivia Wikstrom comes to UNC with a decorated career at Bainbridge High School. Wikstrom was named Kitsap County Player of the year for the 2018-19 season. She was also a 2018-19 All Metro League selection and earned an Honorable Mention on the AP All-State team. In 2018 game, Wikstrom set the single game scoring record with 44 points.
During the 2018-19 season, Wikstrom helped Bainbridge qualify for the district tournament for the first time in seven years.
"She is extremely hard working and comes from a family of college athletes (runners)," Huth said of Wikstrom. "She's excited to join our family of Bears and take her game to the next level. She gives us perimeter depth and size with the ability to shoot the three with consistency and has a scorer's mentality. We are excited she's decided to be a BEAR!"
Wikstrom is undecided about a major to pursue.
Ellie Garnett, Guard, 5'11, Golden, Colo., Golden High School
Ellie Garnett joins the Bears after a great career at Golden High School and for her club team, Colorado Premier. Garnett had a stand-out junior year, recording 16.9 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. She helped guide Golden to the 4A State Basketball tournament in 2019.
"I chose UNC because right when I walked on campus, I felt at home," Garnett said. "Right when I met the girls, I knew I could see myself doing well and having another family. Throughout the recruiting process, all the coaches made me feel wanted. UNC is the perfect fit for me and I am so excited to be a Bear!"
"Elli has great basketball blood lines," Huth said of Garnett. "Her Dad, Bill played in the NBA and her Mom, Jenny is an alum of UNC and played here. She has a great basketball IQ, can shoot the three with consistency and loves to compete. She's played at a high level with Colorado Premier which will help per her too for Division I. She will be a great addition to our family."
Elli will pursue a degree in Political Science at Northern Colorado.
Northern Colorado will be back at Bank of Colorado Arena on Tuesday and host in-state foe, Air Force, at 7 p.m.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @UNC_BearsWBB.
"As a group, we will be adding three-point shooting, hard workers, team first players, awesome students and great human beings to our program," Huth said.
The three new Bears will give Coach Huth and UNC a depth of talent to work with next season.
Hannah Semintal, Guard, 5'8, Pueblo, Colo., Pueblo West High School
Hannah Semintal arrives at Northern Colorado from Pueblo West, where she has been named to the All-State FirstTeam the past three seasons. Semintal was named the Chieftain Player of the Year, along with SCL Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. At Pueblo West, Semintal holds the record for most points scored in a game, most points in a season, highest three-point percentage and highest free-throw percentage.
"I chose to be a Bear because the coaches not only provided what I wanted on the court, but they also supported my goals and aspirations off the court," Semintal said. "My faith and family are the most important things in my life and the coaches and staff make me feel at home."
During her high school career, Semintal helped Pueblo West to win the SCL three times.
"[Hannah] comes from a family of college basketball players, she's played for a top-level club team in Colorado Premier which will help prepare her for Division I basketball," Huth said of Semintal. "She's a hard worker, great teammate, and she's a great fit for us on and off the court. She's got a great shot, basketball IQ and defender. We are thrilled to welcome Hannah to our UNC Bear family."
Semintal is undecided about a major to pursue while at UNC.
Olivia Wikstrom, Guard, 6'1, Bainbridge Island, Wash., Bainbridge High School
Olivia Wikstrom comes to UNC with a decorated career at Bainbridge High School. Wikstrom was named Kitsap County Player of the year for the 2018-19 season. She was also a 2018-19 All Metro League selection and earned an Honorable Mention on the AP All-State team. In 2018 game, Wikstrom set the single game scoring record with 44 points.
During the 2018-19 season, Wikstrom helped Bainbridge qualify for the district tournament for the first time in seven years.
"She is extremely hard working and comes from a family of college athletes (runners)," Huth said of Wikstrom. "She's excited to join our family of Bears and take her game to the next level. She gives us perimeter depth and size with the ability to shoot the three with consistency and has a scorer's mentality. We are excited she's decided to be a BEAR!"
Wikstrom is undecided about a major to pursue.
Ellie Garnett, Guard, 5'11, Golden, Colo., Golden High School
Ellie Garnett joins the Bears after a great career at Golden High School and for her club team, Colorado Premier. Garnett had a stand-out junior year, recording 16.9 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. She helped guide Golden to the 4A State Basketball tournament in 2019.
"I chose UNC because right when I walked on campus, I felt at home," Garnett said. "Right when I met the girls, I knew I could see myself doing well and having another family. Throughout the recruiting process, all the coaches made me feel wanted. UNC is the perfect fit for me and I am so excited to be a Bear!"
"Elli has great basketball blood lines," Huth said of Garnett. "Her Dad, Bill played in the NBA and her Mom, Jenny is an alum of UNC and played here. She has a great basketball IQ, can shoot the three with consistency and loves to compete. She's played at a high level with Colorado Premier which will help per her too for Division I. She will be a great addition to our family."
Elli will pursue a degree in Political Science at Northern Colorado.
Northern Colorado will be back at Bank of Colorado Arena on Tuesday and host in-state foe, Air Force, at 7 p.m.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @UNC_BearsWBB.
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