VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota head softball coach Robert Wagner is pleased to announce eight student athletes who have committed to compete for the Coyotes in the Class of 2024. They include: Isabel Carda, Madison Evans, Brynnly German, Campbell German, Sara Iburg, Ella McGee, Piper Ruhl and Emerson Waldow.
 
"We are extremely excited with the signing of the 2024 signing class," said Wagner. "The class is extremely talented and balanced. We have added speed, power, pitching, and catching. Additionally, the infield and outfield groups have also been bolstered. 
 
"These young women are talented players who also excel in the classroom. They play the game with passion and joy and take pride in their decision to be Coyotes. They will all add to a positive culture in their own individual ways. 
 
"They are excited to get to campus and put in the work to win championships. They all have outstanding leadership potential.  We are happy to welcome them to USD and Vermillion for the fall semester."
 
A brief description of each signee follows:
 
Isabel Carda | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Washington HS | Catcher/Outfield
 
The 5-foot-10 Carda was named First Team All-Conference for both the 2022 and 2023 season. The First Team All-State honoree in 2022 helped lead her Washington High School team to a fifth-place finish in South Dakota Class AA state tournament during the inaugural 2023 season. When not competing in softball, Carda was also a basketball and track athlete. The daughter of Paige and Jon Carda plans to study sports management at USD.
 
Madison Evans | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Lincoln HS | Pitcher
 
The 5-foot-5 Evans was a three-year varsity starter in the circle for the Patriots. She produced 469 career strikeouts, held a 1.99 career earned run average and limited opponents to just a .189 average against her. She guided Lincoln to the first-ever South Dakota Class AA state title as a junior in 2023, earning First Team All-State honors. She also helped her club team advance to two USA Softball South Dakota state championship games. Evans was a two-time USA Today Sports Award Nominee, a member of the National Honor Society and Math National Honor Society, while boasting a perfect 4.0 GPA. The daughter of Claire and Rick Evans plans to study business as a Coyote. 
 
Brynnly German | Cumming, Iowa | Martensdale St. Marys | Outfield
 
The 5-foot-4 German was a three time First Team All-Conference selection while helping the Blue Devils advance to the state tournament twice in Iowa Class 1A. She received All-State and All-District honors as a junior as the Blue Devils finished as state runners-up. A National Honor Society member, Brynnly was a four-event state track qualifier in each of her first three years in high school, finishing fourth in the 400 hurdles as a junior after a seventh-place finish as a sophomore. The daughter of Britt and Craig German, a three-time All-Conference basketball performer, Brynnly plans to study kinesiology as a Coyote. 
 
Campbell German | Cumming, Iowa | Martensdale St. Marys | Pitcher/Utility
 
The 5-foot-8 German was a two-time First Team All-State selection, earning All-District honors twice while helping the Blue Devils advance to the state tournament twice in Iowa Class 1A. A four-time All-Conference choice in the Pride of Iowa Conference, German was the KMA Pitcher of the Year in 2023 after striking out 198 batters in 123 innings to go with a 1.02 earned run average. She also competed in basketball, track & field, and volleyball during her high school career. The National Honor Society member was named First Team All-Conference twice in basketball. The daughter of Britt and Craig German, Campbell plans to study medical biology at USD.
 
Sara Iburg | Lincoln, Nebraska | Pius X HS | Shortstop/Outfield
 
The 5-foot-9 Iburg was a multi-sport athlete at Pius X High School, lettering in softball, basketball and track all four years as a Thunderbolt. Iburg holds both the career hits and career homerun records. She hit .417 as a senior as the Thunderbolts snapped a five-year drought and advanced to the Nebraska Class A state softball tournament. She was also a conference champion for the long jump and triple jump and the state runner-up in the triple jump in 2022. The National Honor Society member has received an Academic All-Conference award in all three of her sports. The daughter of Kellie and Larry Iburg, Sara plans to study business at USD.

Ella McGee | West Des Moines, Iowa | Waukee HS | Outfield
 
The 5-foot-7 McGee was a two-time First Team All-State, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-District member for the Warriors. With a season of high school softball still to play next summer, McGee has already piled up career totals of 163 hits, .485 average, 75 stolen bases and 124 runs in 134 games played. Off the field, McGee excelled in the classroom, receiving three All-Academic awards. A three-year softball varsity letterwinner, McGee also competed in track & field for the Warriors. The daughter of Jean and Keith McGee, Ella plans to study kinesiology during her time as a Coyote.
 
Piper Ruhl | Lincoln, Nebraska | Lincoln North Star | Catcher/3rd Base
 
The 5-foot-6 Ruhl was a four-year varsity contributor who closed her career as the school record holder in home runs (27) and RBI (123). She also set a North Star single season school record with 43 RBI during a junior season where she hit .517 and launched 10 home runs on way to Second Team All-State honors in Class A. The two-time All-Conference selection and four-year letter winner, Piper had a career .406 batting average. Ruhl also excelled in the classroom, securing a 4.08 GPA. Ruhl also competed in Tennis for Lincoln North Star. The daughter of Dale and Angie Ruhl, Piper plans to study kinesiology and exercise science at USD. 
 
Emerson Waldow | Norfolk, Nebraska | Norfolk HS | 2nd Base
 
The 5-foot-7 Waldow was a four-year varsity letterwinner while helping the Panthers reach the Nebraska Class A state tournament twice. She hit over .400, had over 150 career hits, drove in over 100 runs and scored over 100 runs during her four-year career while receiving Class A All-State and All-Conference honors. She was also awarded the NSAA State Softball Championship Award, the HACC Tournament Award and was voted Outstanding Defensive Player. The Academic Achievement Award winner and an Academic All-State honoree also competed in basketball and soccer at Norfolk High School. The daughter of Chad and Christy Waldow, Emerson is undecided about what degree she will pursue at USD. 
 
All eight athletes will enroll at South Dakota in the fall of 2024.