University of Mary head men’s basketball coach
Joe Kittell an
nounced the commitments of four high school student-athletes to continue their education at Mary and compete for the Marauders.
Wyatt Carr of Hazen, ND,
Justin Engg of Minot, ND,
Lucas Mayer of Bismarck, ND, and Zac Olson of Waterville, MN, all signed National Letters of Intent with Mary on the first day of the early signing period.
“These four young men verbally committed to Mary in August within two weeks of each other,” said Kittell. “They are committed to our program and believe in the vision and goals that we have laid out for them. We are happy to lock up some of the area’s very best basketball players and young men. We are excited for these four and their families and grateful that they chose to be Marauders!”
In Kittell’s first season, Mary improved by 10 wins in 2015-16 and hosted a Northern Sun playoff game for just the second time. Additionally the Marauders made only their second appearance in the NSIC tournament semifinals.
Wyatt Carr (F, 6-5, 215, Fr., Hazen, ND / Hazen HS)
One of the top scorers in North Dakota, Wyatt Carr is a multi-sport athlete who went over 1,000 career points as a junior. He averaged 29.7 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals while shooting 40 percent on 3-points to lead Hazen High School to the Region 7 semifinal game in 2015-16 and earned North Dakota Class B all-state second team honors. As a football player, helped the Bison win a state championship in 2013 and reach the state semifinals in 2014, the playoffs in 2015 and a regional championship in 2016. Captain of both the football and basketball teams, Carr earned all-state honors as a linebacker, completed over 66 percent of his passes as a junior and accounted for over 25 touchdowns this season at quarterback.
Older brothers Baylee, an assistant coach with the University of Mary football team, and Stetson played collegiate football at the University of North Dakota.
A member of FBLA and the student council, Wyatt also coaches and referees youth sports. The son of Mike and Lorie Carr, Wyatt will major in physical education and coaching at the University of Mary.
“We are extremely excited to have Wyatt commit today!” said Marauders head coach Joe Kittell. “Wyatt was probably the most highly recruited player in this class for both football and basketball. We are fortunate to have him want to be a part of our program. He size, athleticism, competitive spirit, and ability to score the ball will give him a chance to be a contributor immediately for us. He is a perfect fit for the future of our program.”
Justin Engg (F, 6-5, 205, Fr., Minot, ND / Minot High School)
A team captain for a Minot High School boys basketball team that has won back-to-back North Dakota Class A state championships in 2015 and 2016, Justin Engg is a three-sport athlete. Engg averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a junior in 2016. Headlined by a 27-point outburst against Mandan, he was named to the All-WDA tournament team. A state qualifier in the long jump with an effort of 21′ 5″, Engg also plays football for the Magicians.
A member of the National Honor Society and the honor roll, Justin is the son of Kathy and Brian Engg and is undecided on what degree to pursue at the University of Mary.
“Justin is exactly the kind of player that you need in the Northern Sun,” said Marauders head coach Joe Kittell. “He is a big wing that can shoot, pass and attack the rim. We are very excited to get a guy from Minot that has played a major role in their back-to-back high school state championships and who happens to be an outstanding student and young man. We believe with Justin’s work ethic and commitment to winning that he will continue to improve and be a valuable piece of our program.”
Lucas Mayer (F, 6-7, 205, Fr., Bismarck, ND / Century High School)
A state champion track & field athlete and an all-state soccer player, Lucas Mayer helped Bismarck’s Century High School boys basketball team win the state’s Class A consolation championship in 2016. As a junior Mayer averaged 5.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and .9 blocks per game. In the first game of the state tournament he registered a double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. A state high jump champion as a sophomore in 2015, he placed second in the event as a junior in 2016 and helped the Patriots to consecutive state titles. An all-state soccer player who is a two-time all-west region performer, he also owns a state soccer championship.
A member of the National Honor Society, Lucas is the son of Dave – who played college basketball for the Marauders – and Dawn Mayer and will major in biology and engineering at the University of Mary.
“We are very excited to keep one of the most promising Bismarck athletes in town,” said Marauders head coach Joe Kittell. “Lucas is a tremendous student, athlete and young man that has a bright future on and off the floor here at the University of Mary. We obviously love Lucas’s size and athleticism but the key to his success is the winning culture he has played for at Century for Coach Mattern and how hard he plays. I know he will be one that continues to get better year after year.”