POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State women's basketball Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski has announced that two newcomers have signed a national letter of intent to join the Bengals for the 2018-19 season. Idaho State signed Montana Oltrogge of Phoenix, Ariz. and Callie Bourne out of Canberra, Australia during the early signing period beginning Nov. 8.
"Our university, community, and program scored big on this year's recruiting class," Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski said. "We are bringing in two young ladies who, once they get adjusted, will be difference makers. I'd like to thank our Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
Ryan Johnson as well as the rest of our staff for their recruiting efforts in bringing Callie and Montana to ISU."
Oltrogge, a 6-foot forward from Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, Ariz. will arrive at Idaho State in the fall of 2018 as a freshman. During her junior season, Oltrogge averaged 15.3 points per game to rank 47th in the state of Arizona, 12th in the 6A division and second in her section. Oltrogge also averaged seven boards per game, earning her MVP honors for Xavier College Prep for her junior season. She was named to the Red Mountain Holiday Classic All-Tournament team, the 2016-17 Section First Team as well as State 6A Division honorable mention, and she has led her team to two-straight playoff appearances. Oltrogge plans to major in pre-med when she arrives in Pocatello next fall.
"Montana is a shooter," Sobolewski said. "She is a well-rounded player, but her shooting and competitiveness is what grabs your attention. At six feet tall, she will be able to play two to three different positions and will be a tough matchup."
Bourne, a 5-foot-9 guard out of Canberra, Australia will arrive in Pocatello next fall as a freshman. Bourne has plenty of international playing experience, as she was a member of the 2016 Australian U17 squad in addition to playing for the Canberra Capitals WNBL development team. Bourne has also played for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) state team since 2010, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017 after averaging 20 points per game in the ACT Premier League. Bourne was named MVP of the Australian School Sport Championship after averaging 18 points and seven rebounds per contest, and she was also named the All-Australian Captain the same year. Bourne plans to major in sport management when she arrives in Pocatello next fall.
"Callie is one of the best guards in her age group in Australia," Sobolewski said. "In this year's Australian School Sport national championship, she was selected as one of the top 10 players in the tournament. The basketball circles in Australia have projected her as a future pro. Needless to say, we are excited to have her. She is a tough competitor who has all the tools to be a great player."
Both Oltrogge and Bourne will join an experienced Bengals squad next season as Idaho State will return 13 of 14 players;
Brooke Blair is the only Bengal that will exhaust her eligibility following the 2017-18 season.
