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North Polk junior guard Fayth Sullivan announced late Wednesday that she will continue her basketball career at Wayne State, ending a national recruiting conversation that has followed her through three productive seasons. The move gives the Division II program a versatile prospect and signals a major step for Sullivan as she prepares for college play next year.
Sullivan posted the news on X, thanking family, teammates and the Wayne State coaching staff for the opportunity; she closed her message with a short religious affirmation and a shout to the Wildcats. The commitment comes after a season in which Sullivan established herself as one of Iowa’s most consistent two-way players.
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Her numbers from this past season underline why Division II coaches pursued her: Sullivan posted strong scoring and defensive metrics while anchoring rebounding for North Polk.
- Junior year averages: roughly 15.8 points, 9 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2 assists per game.
- Sophomore season: about 10.5 points and nearly 5 rebounds per contest, shooting close to 50 percent from the floor.
- Freshman contribution: came off the bench and produced across the box score, including near‑100 points and significant defensive stats.
- Team track record: North Polk has recorded three straight 20‑win campaigns with Sullivan on the roster, compiling a combined 67‑10 mark.
What this means for North Polk
Although Sullivan won’t be eligible to play at the collegiate level until after high school, her departure will be a change for a Comets program that returns most of its core. North Polk expects to bring back five starters next season — including Campbell Schulz, Harper Lincoln, Sophia Bouchard and Jaslyn Rasmussen — keeping the squad among the contenders for a return trip to the state tournament in Des Moines.
Locally, Sullivan’s selection to the High School on SI Iowa Class 4A second team this year — as one of only a few juniors on that list — highlighted her rising profile and hinted at why a Division II school would invest in her skill set.
Wayne State’s position and coaching pedigree
Wayne State competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference. The program went 10‑18 this past winter, including a 5‑17 mark in conference play, during coach Brian Ortmeier’s first season at the helm.
Ortmeier arrives with a track record of postseason work: he led Briar Cliff to NAIA tournament appearances and a 30‑win season, and earlier guided Iowa Central Community College to the NJCAA Division II national tournament and an Elite Eight showing. Those credentials help explain why the school is adding a two-way wing like Sullivan as it looks to accelerate its rebuild.
For Sullivan, joining a staff with experience in postseason runs offers a path to continue her development against a deeper slate of collegiate competition.
Why the commitment matters now
This announcement matters both for recruiting calendars and for local fans tracking talent pipelines from Iowa high schools to college programs. For Wayne State, securing Sullivan adds defensive intensity and rebounding to their rotation; for North Polk, it marks the loss of a leader but not the end of its competitive window.
Recruiting decisions at this stage also affect roster planning, scholarship distribution and offseason development work for both the player and the programs involved.
Below are the immediate implications to watch this offseason:
- Wayne State will integrate a versatile perimeter player who can defend multiple positions and crash the boards.
- North Polk’s returning starters keep the program in a strong position to chase another state appearance despite Sullivan’s eventual departure.
- Ortmeier’s prior postseason success sets expectations for accelerated improvement; Sullivan’s arrival could be a catalyst.
Sullivan’s commitment closes one chapter of her high school recruitment and opens another as she moves toward collegiate play. Fans and evaluators will be watching her senior season closely and tracking how she adapts to the Division II level once she enrolls.
