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HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston softball program and head coach Garret Valis announced the signing of three student-athletes as the Bearkats got a jump on planning for the future.
 
The signing class consists of outfielders Marigny Thomas from Atascocita and Kaylee Chatman of Conroe; and right-handed pitcher Noah Heggemann from Missouri.
 
2026 Bearkat Softball Signing Class
• Marigny Thomas / OF / Atascocita / Atascocita High School
 
Marigny Thomas has earned all-district honors each season at Atascocita High School while playing varsity under coaches Ashley Boyd and Shelbi McGlaun. She is also a multi-time academic all-district selection as well as a member of the National Honor Society and A/B Honor Roll.
 
She helped guide her team to the 2023-24 bi-district championship and was voted by her teammates to receive the Eagle Award. Thomas is a multi-sport athlete as well, flashing her speed to qualify for UIL Area, Regional and State competition in the 4×100 and 4×200 relay events.
 
Thomas played travel ball for the Texas Riptide where she’s helped her team win multiple competitive national tournaments such as the Colorado Sparkler Power Pool and Kansas City Top Gun Invitational. She was also named in the top outfielders of 2026 by TX Prep Varsity.
 
Thomas on why she chose Sam Houston:
“I chose Sam Houston because Sam Houston chose me. I truly believe it was in God’s plan for me to be a Bearkat. After visiting with Coach Valis, Coach Tess and some of the players I automatically got a feeling of where home was going to be. Especially witnessing the love at the Family and Friend’s Day recently, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that Sam Houston is where I want to be. Eat ’em up Kats!”
 
• Noah Heggemann / RHP / Wentzville, Missouri / Francis Howell High School
 
Noah Heggemann plays travel ball for the Top Gun 18u National where she earned the Triple Crown Nationals all-tournament team award. She has made the Honor Roll each year at Howell High School and is a member of the National Honor Society.
 
Heggemann on why she chose Sam Houston:
“I chose Sam Houston because from the moment I arrived on campus, it felt like home. Despite being far from where I live, the sense of community made me feel relaxed. I have always dreamed of going to school in the south, and SHSU was the perfect place for me. What really stood out to me was the people. The players were so nice and genuine, and I love the coaches. I feel like I have found my home at Sam Houston, and it will be a place I can really succeed.”
 
 
• Kaylee Chatman / OF / Conroe / Conroe High School
Kaylee Chatman is a four-year letter winner at Conroe High School under coaches Rachelle Harris and Justin Perez. She has been named first team all-district the past three seasons and was an academic all-district selection as a junior last year.
 
She plays travel ball for the Hotshots Nelson and was a Line Drive Media top 100 players of 2026 two years in a row while guiding Conroe to a district championship three years in a row.
 
Chatman on why she chose Sam Houston:
“I chose Sam Houston because I’ve been wanting to go there ever since teachers started asking about college, and when I got the call from Coach Valis I was so happy. On my visit it felt like a home away from home. And I knew it was the right fit for me. I loved the campus and the environment. And they offer a really good program for what I want to do. I’m so excited to be a Bearkat like my family was before me!”