CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team announced the signing of Jes Mertens (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D./Devils Lake H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Mertens joins Eden Golliher (G/F, 6-0, Iron River, Mich./West Iron County H.S.) and Haylee Wheeler (F/C, 6-2, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.) as members of the 2020-21 signing class. Mertens will also run cross country at Minnesota Crookston.
"Jes is a tenacious defender with great speed and length," said Head Coach Mike Roysland. Her speed will also allow her to attack the rim with great success! She's a real gutsy player with a great attitude and we are excited to have her as a member of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball."
Mertens also continues a strong connection to Devils Lake H.S., as she joins her former high school teammate Mattea Vetsch (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) on Minnesota Crookston. Mertens is the cousin of Minnesota Crookston great Katrina (Moenkedick) Nordick, a two-time All-NSIC First Team selection. She also helps the Golden Eagles continue to find great talent right next door in North Dakota, a state that has produced current Minnesota Crookston senior Stephanie McWilliams (Grand Forks, N.D.).
Mertens, along with Golliher and Wheeler give the Golden Eagles a well-rounded recruiting class that helps address several needs areas, as well as adds versatility, strong defense, high basketball IQs and length to the 2020-21 roster. The trio will help to replace graduating seniors Paige Weakley (Sr., G/F, Kearney, Mo.), McWilliams, and Amber Schoenicke (Sr., F/C, Marshall, Wis.).
The Golden Eagles have a young squad in 2019-20 and are excited about the young talent that the program has moving forward, including the additions of Mertens, Golliher, and Wheeler. Minnesota Crookston currently has 10 players that are either freshmen or sophomores on their roster. Minnesota Crookston women's basketball is seeking to get back to the Sanford Pentagon for the NSIC/Sanford Health Quarterfinals for the fourth time in the last six seasons.
The student-athlete listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play women's basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston has been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.
Jes Mertens (G, 5-9, Devils Lake, N.D./Devils Lake H.S.)
Mertens was named to the North Dakota Class A All-State Second Team as a junior, where she was joined by former and future teammate Mattea Vetsch. The Firebirds made it to the 2019 Class A Girls Basketball Championship Game, where they lost to Bismarck Century. Mertens is a two-time All-Eastern Dakota Conference selection for basketball, and a three-time All-Conference pick for cross country.
Mertens comes from a basketball family. Including her connection to Nordick, her brother Nathan Mertens played from 2013-17 at Minot State University and ranks fifth all-time in scoring for the Beavers. Her brother Jake Mertens is currently a sophomore for Minnesota State University Moorhead. Her brother B.J. Mertens played men's basketball at University of Jamestown from 2008-12. Her sister Steph Mertens played basketball at Lake Region State College.
