MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University head women's basketball coach Tom Webb announced today his 2022-23 recruiting class with five high school student-athletes signing letters of intent to continue their academic and basketball careers at SMSU.
 
Joining the program for the 2022-23 season include Rian Aune from Virginia, Minn., Kennadi Buchholz from De Smet, S.D., Zoie Centers from Hugo, Minn., Audrey Swanson from Waconia, Minn., and Maddie Thorfinnson from Glenwood, Minn.
 
"The 2022 class added to our length, athleticism and ability to play at a fast pace," Webb said. "All five players have the ability to defend multiple positions on the floor. The fall semester can't get here soon enough to see this group grow and compete every day."
 
Aune, a 5-foot-7 guard at Virginia High School, was a four-year all-conference honoree and scored more than 1,400 points in her career. An all-state honorable mention and academic all-state honoree, she set the program for career assists and career 3-pointers. She was selected to play in both the Border Battle and MGBCA All-Star games after averaging 17 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game as a senior. Aune was also a two-time all-conference honoree in volleyball. Rian's head coach and father, Spencer, was a member of the SMSU men's basketball team from 1995-97.
 
Buchholz, a 6-foot center at De Smet High School, helped lead the Bulldogs to a Class B state runner-up finish this past season averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent from the field. She earned Class B first team all-state honors and was named the 2022 Class B Player of the Year. Buchholz closed her career scoring a school record 1,616 points with 923 rebounds, 161 blocked shots, 166 steals and 128 assists. She was named all-conference four times and twice was named third team all-state. A member of the National Honors Society, Buchholz was also a standout in volleyball and track & field earning all-conference accolades in volleyball and was a multi-year state qualifier in the high jump. She placed fourth in the high jump at the 2022 state meet.
 
Centers, a 5-foot-5 guard at Mahtomedi High School, was a four-year letter winner and three-time all-conference honoree for the Zephyrs. She averaged 13 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 steals during her senior season, in which she served as team captain. Centers, a member of the National Honors Society and an Athena Award honoree, was a standout in both volleyball and track & field.
 
Swanson, a 5-foot-11 forward at Waconia High School, averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game as a senior in earning all-conference, team MVP and was selected as a McDonalds All-American nominee. Swanson, scored more than 1,000 points in her career, was named all-conference three times and honorable mention all-state multiple years for the Wildcats. An academic all-state honoree and a member of the National Honors Society, Swanson also was a multi-year letter winner in both volleyball and softball.
 
Thorfinnson, a 6-foot forward at Minnewaska High School, averaged 11 points, three rebounds and two blocked shots per game in earning all-conference, conference defensive player of the year and team MVP honors during her senior season. Thorfinnson closed her career earning all-conference honors five times, including earning conference offensive player of the year honors as a junior. She is the program's all-time leader in steals (247) and blocked shots (157) and ranks second with 1,193 points. A multi-year academic all-conference honoree, she also put together an outstanding tennis career, recording more than 100 victories, including setting a program record for victories in a single-season.
 
Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Mustangs finished 13-13 overall last season and advanced to the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals for the first time since 2005.