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UMC Women’s Basketball signs three players

The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball program announced the signing of three student-athletes for the 2025-26 season. The Golden Eagles added Caleigh Adams (F, 6-0, Bakersfield, Calif./San Francisco State University), Taylor Dirkes (G, 5-8, Osakis, Minn./Osakis H.S.), and Tayden Hanks (F, 5-11, Los Lunas, N.M./Pima Community College). The three signees join early signees Anna Westby (F, 5-11, Eveleth, Minn./Rock Ridge H.S.) and Emma Pierson (G, 5-9, Cherry Valley, Ill./Belvidere H.S.). 

The Golden Eagles ended the 2024-25 season with a 9-20 (7-15 NSIC) mark. UMC returns a big portion of their core guided by three-time All-NSIC honoree Emma Miller (Sr., G, Albertville), who is second all-time in scoring in a career, and holds the single-game scoring mark. Riley Jenkins (Jr., G/F, Galesburg, Ill.) returns after earning All-NSIC Second Team honors in 2024-25. Minnesota Crookston also returns Hope Dudycha (Jr., G, Austin), who started all 29 games. Halle Winjum (So., G, Crookston) is back after 11 starts as a freshman, while Rayna Klejeski (Jr., F, Barnum), Brynlea Mahlen (So., G, Fosston), and Natalie Mikrot (Sr., G, Willow River) also return. 

Caleigh Adams (F, 6-0, Bakersfield, Calif./San Francisco State University)
She played in six games as a freshman for San Francisco State University, averaging 2.0 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. Adams had 12 points on 5-of-8 from the field versus Jessup. In high school at West High, Adams had 500 rebounds in 52 games. She notched 1,000 points in 65 career games. Adams notched 16.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game at West High. She was the 2023-24 Bakersfield Varsity All-Area Player of the Year. Adams was named the 2021-22 South Yosemite League Player of the Year. In 2021-22, she was selected to the Bakersfield Varsity All-Area First Team, and was also named to the squad in 2020-21. Adams is the all-time leader in blocks for West High, and is second all-time in points, and rebounds.
She is the daughter of Bryan Adams and Denise Rankin. Her father Bryan played football at UCLA. Her mother Denise played volleyball and competed in track and field at UC-Irvine. She plans to major in communication at Minnesota Crookston. 
“Caleigh brings us extra length and athleticism at the shooting forward position,” Moynihan stated. “She is a great three-point shooter and helps make our team more dynamic. I am excited for her to join our Golden Eagle family!”

Taylor Dirkes (G, 5-8, Osakis, Minn./Osakis H.S.)
Dirkes was named the Team MVP for Osakis High School. She was also named the Prairie Conference MVP, and earned the Silverstreak Award, and All-Section Team accolades. 
She is the daughter of Tom and Theresa Dirkes, and plans to major in agricultural business at Minnesota Crookston.
Taylor comes to us eager and ready for the challenge of the NSIC,” Moynihan remarked. “She is a very strong guard and brings another level of toughness to our squad. I am excited for Taylor to join our team this coming season!”

Tayden Hanks (F, 5-11, Los Lunas, N.M./Pima Community College (Ariz.)
Hanks played two seasons at Pima Community College in Arizona. She helped the Aztecs to a combined 56-15 mark in her two seasons in Tucson. In 2023-24, Pima made it to the NJCAA Division II Tournament. During her sophomore season, she helped the Aztecs to a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Joplin, Mo. Hanks played in 30 games in a freshman, notching 1.7 points and 1.9 boards per game. As a sophomore, she played in 33 games and started three. Hanks tallied 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per tilt. She had eight points against Trinidad State College and Illinois Central College. Hanks notched seven boards versus Arizona Christian University. She played for Los Lunas High School, where she was a State Champion, and three-time District Champion. She played one season of club basketball for New Mexico Select. Hanks earned the NJCAA Sportsmanship Award. Additionally, she was named NMAA All-District in 2021 during her high school career. 
She is the daughter of Tim Hanks and Thalia Campanella. 
“Coming to us from New Mexico, Tayden’s urgency, strength and speed will add to our presence inside on both ends of the court,” Moynihan said. “She is vocal and ready to get to work and I am looking forward to her joining our family this year!”

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