By: Sam Boender
GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball Head Coach
Brittany Simpson announced her 2022-23 signing class on Tuesday as she added five new Orediggers for the 2023-24 season.
Simpson's newest additions include
Audrey Beaty,
Peyton Freiermuth,
Isa Hensley,
Michaela Lee, and
Emma Sixta. The incoming class features one transfer and four true freshmen while addressing all areas of the floor. There are two forwards, one center, and two guards coming to Golden this fall. Geographically, the five new Orediggers represent Texas, Oregon, and Arizona.
"I am very happy that these five ladies chose to become Orediggers," said Simpson. "They are joining an elite group, and I look forward to watching them make this team even better."
Below is a snapshot of the incoming class:
Audrey Beaty – 6-1 – Center
Aubrey, Texas – Emporia State (Aubrey HS) – Platinum Basketball
EMPORIA STATE (2022-23): Played her inaugural collegiate campaign at NCAA Division II Emporia State in Kansas … Appeared in 28 games including nine starts … Totaled 36 blocks, 19 steals, and 15 assists on the year while averaging 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game … Shot 38 percent from the floor and 66 percent at the free-throw line while adding five three-pointers as well … Collegiate debut came at Harding on Nov. 11 where she recorded a block and a steal … Top scoring performance of the year was 11 on 4-of-5 shooting against Lincoln on Jan. 5 … Pulled down six rebounds on two occasions and racked up six blocks in 22 minutes against Washburn on Feb. 25 … In her lone season at ESU she totaled 89 points, 94 rebounds, 36 blocks, 19 steals, and 15 assists.
HIGH SCHOOL: Started for four years on the basketball team at Aubrey High School in Texas … Earned eight varsity letters overall … As a senior, averaged 12 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks per game … Was named Academic All-District four times … Claimed First-Team All-District in 2021-22 and Second-Team All-District in 2020-21 … Was also Defensive MVP in 2021-22 and All-Defensive Team in 2019-20 … Added Honorable Mention honors in 2018-19 … Played club ball for Platinum Basketball … Plans to major in business science and engineering management at Mines.
Peyton Freiermuth – 5-8 – Point Guard
Austin, Texas – Austin HS – CyFair Premier/The Fam-3SSB
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-sport athlete at Austin High School in Texas' capital city, competing in basketball and track & field … Totaled five varsity letters in her prep career … Freshman season featured All-District and Academic All-District distinction … As a sophomore, averaged 14 points, three assists, and two steals per game and broke the school record with seven three-pointers in one game … Was also nominated for Player of the Year in Austin by USA Today Sports Awards while earning Austin-American Statesman All-Central Texas, First-Team All-District, and Academic All-District … Junior season included another nomination for Player of the Year in Austin by USA Today thanks to 12 points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds per game … Named First-Team All-Region, She-Ballin All-Tournament and MVP, All-Central Texas, District Offensive MVP and First-Team All-District, and another Academic All-District nod … Senior season led to 10 points, two steals, and three rebounds per game while winning her 100th games a four-year varsity player … Earned First-Team All-District and Academic All-District for a fourth time … Played club for The Fam-3SSB and CyFair Premier … Off the court was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a volunteer coordinator for Austin Pets Alive … Plans to major in business engineering and management science at Mines.
Isa Hensley – 6-2 – Forward
Portland, Ore. – Franklin HS – Oregon Elite Basketball Club
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four varsity letters playing basketball at Franklin High School in Oregon … Averaged a double-double with points in rebounds as a junior and a senior … Named PIL All-League Honorable Mention as a senior as well … Inducted into the Franklin High School Athletic Hall of Fame and selected 2023 Franklin High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year … Played club ball for Oregon Elite Basketball Club … Graduated as her class valedictorian along with Advanced Scholar and Honor Roll distinction … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Michaela Lee – 6-0 – Forward/Center
Peoria, Ariz. – Deer Valley HS – Arizona Pride
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for the basketball team and in track & field at Deer Valley High School in Arizona … Piled up six varsity letters across two sports during her prep career … On the court, averaged 8.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, and 1.8 steals per game … As a thrower on the track & field team, finished ninth in the state in the discus, throwing it 109 feet and 11 inches … Also took fifth in the state in the shot put, going over 34 feet on the heave … Was a three-time team captain as well … Accolades include Athlete of the Month, three-time Region Defensive Player of the Year, and 4A State Defensive Player of the Year … Played club ball for the Arizona Pride … Off the court, earned Iron Skyhawk Student of the Year, was Student Body Vice President, and member of the National Honor Society … Plans to major in civil engineering at Mines.
Emma Sixta – 5-10 – Guard
Portland, Ore. – Jesuit HS – Clutch Players
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-time varsity letter winner playing basketball at Jesuit High School in Oregon … Averaged 11.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game … Named Second-Team All-Metro as a freshman … Rose to First-Team All-Metro as a sophomore … Junior season featured First-Team All-Metro and Second-Team All-State honors … Was First-Team All-Metro and Second-Team All-State as a senior … Played club ball for Clutch Players … Off the court, was a member of the National Honor Society, won the Metro League All-Star Academic award, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and appeared on the Honor Roll … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram at @MinesWBB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.
