WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University softball team signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, as announced by head coach
Greg Jones. The Warriors signed Morgan Smetana (Woodville, Wis.), Jaden Johnson (Erie, Ill.), Ashlee Chantos (St. Charles, Ill.), Dana Jones (Cloquet, Minn) and Sklyer Calmes (Kaukauna, Wis.) to NLI's for the 2022-23 academic year.
Morgan Smetana comes to Winona State from Woodville, Wis., where she is a standout pitcher for Baldwin Woodville High School. While at Baldwin Woodville, Smetana earned 2021 Middle Border Conference First Team honors and the Player of the Year award. She was also named First Team All-District and second team All-State, while setting a WIAA Division II record for the most strikeouts in a seven-inning game with 18. Her 2021 team earned Wisconsin State runner up honors.
Coach Jones on Smetana: "We are incredibly excited to have a pitcher of Morgan's caliber join the softball family here at Winona State. Morgan is one of the premier pitchers in the State of Wisconsin. Her work ethic, championship drive, and obvious talents will make an immediate impact on our pitching staff. Morgan has pitched in big game situations her entire career which will be an incredible asset to us in order to keep our program at an elite level. As we continue to build a Championship program, Morgan will be a key ingredient to the future success of our team."
Jaden Johnson is an outfielder/catcher from Erie High School in Erie, Illinois where she excelled in the Three Rivers Conference, earning 2021 First Team All-Conference honors. Johnson also was named to the 2021 second team Quad Cities All-Western Illinois and 2021 second team All-Area squad. In 2019, Johnson was named third team All-State, first team All-Area and was the Three Rivers Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
Coach Jones on Johnson: "We are excited to welcome Jaden Johnson to Winona State. Jaden is an elite hitter who can hit for both power and a high average. Jaden has experienced an enormous amount of success for both her high school and elite level travel team. Likewise, she is a tremendous defensive player and athlete, who has the ability to play multiple spots on the field. As we continue to build our program at Winona State and remain among the Nation's elite, Jaden is a vital addition to our program and has the ability to help us immediately."
Ashlee Chantos is a St. Charles, Illinois native who has excelled in the outfield at St. Charles North High School. Chantos earned 2021 first team All-Conference honors in the DuKane Conference, after also being named first team in 2019 as well.
Coach Jones on Chantos: "We are extremely excited to have a player of Ashlee's caliber join the Winona State Softball family. Ashlee's can be a game breaking offensive player with a combination of speed, consistency, and power. She has the ability to make an immediate impact in our lineup, and her ability to make plays and cover ground in the outfield is something we truly covet. Ashlee plays the game hard and with great passion. She will be a vital ingredient to the future success of our team."
Dana Jones hails from Cloquet, Minn. where she plays outfield for CHS. Jones has earned a long list of accolades, including 2021 first team All-Conference in the Lake Superior Conference, as well as making the All-Area Team as named by the Duluth News Tribune that same year. She was a 2021 All-State Honorable Mention student-athlete, while also collecting a host of honors in the 2019 and 2018 campaigns.
Coach Jones on Dana Jones: "We are extremely excited to have a player of Dana's caliber join the Winona State Softball family. Dana's game breaking speed has the ability to make a huge impact in our lineup. She is an incredible athlete who excels in every sport she plays. Dana's softball instincts are second to none, and she plays the game with a natural passion. She will be a vital ingredient to the future success of our team."
Sklyer Calmes comes to WSU from Kaukauna, Wis., where she is a pitcher for KHS. In 2021, Calmes collected first team All-Conference in the Fox Valley Association, as well as earning first team All-District honors. Calmes was a 2021 first team All-State selection in the state of Wisconsin, where her team was the 2021 state champions.
Coach Jones on Calmes: "We are incredibly excited to have a pitcher of Skyler's ability join the Winona State Softball Family. Skyler's drive, dedication, and talent will be a perfect addition to our pitching staff. Skyler is one of the top pitchers in the state of Wisconsin and led her team to a State Title this spring. As we continue to build a Championship program, Skyler will be a key ingredient to the future success of our team.
Head coach
Greg Jones, heading into his 21st season at Winona State, noted: "I am excited to announce the WSU Softball Signing Class of 2022. With all of the challenges that Covid threw at this class, I am proud of how they persevered as students and athletes. I can't wait to get all five on campus next fall. Each of the five will make a positive impact to our Softball Family at Winona State, and the passion they provide will help our program continue to grow and move forward."
In the spring of 2021, the Winona State Warrior softball program went 37-12 overall and 22-8 in NSIC play.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
