University of Tennessee Athletics
Cantú Announces Highest-Ranked Signing Class in Program History
November 18, 2024 | Women's Golf
Tennessee women's golf head coach Diana Cantu announced a trio of signees Monday morning.
The signing class trio, which is the highest-rated in program history, was ranked fifth by College Golf Commits, sixth according to Golfweek and seventh by Golf Channel.
"This week we welcomed a special group of ladies. Isabella, Kaopan, and Madison are not only amazing players, but also outstanding human beings," Cantú said. "This is the most talented class this program has signed. I am thrilled to have them be Lady Vols and build on our Legacy. They have bought into our vision and what we want to accomplish, which is winning SEC championships and competing for NCAA championships."
Isabella Johnson | Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Rated as the No. 1 player in the class of 2025 in Tennessee by Junior Golf Scoreboard and 27th overall, Johnson is set to arrive on Rocky Top with an impressive resume. The Volunteer State native took home the 2024 TSSAA Class Division II Class A individual title and won the inaugural Granny Jr. Invitational. Johnson has also been exposed to some of golf's biggest tournaments, participating in the 2024 Girls Junior PGA Championship, 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur and 2023 U.S. Girls Junior Amateur. Additionally, Johnson was a two-time Tennessee Junior Cup member.
"I am thrilled to keep Isabella home," said Cantú. "She is one of the most driven players I have seen. She is determined and so much fun to watch compete. Isabella has a great personality! I cannot wait for her to get to campus and watch her continue to grow and develop."
Madison Messimer | Myrtle Beach, SC
Messimer, who is the No. 1 overall golfer in South Carolina, joins the Lady Vols with a distinguished resume. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, native participated in the 2024 Solheim Cup, and is just one of four Lady Vols in program history to do so. Messimer posted a pair of top-five showings at both the 2024 U.S. Girls Junior Amateur and 2024 Girls Junior PGA Championship. In 2023, she took home the Carolinas Junior Player of the Year award. At the time of signing, College Golf Commits (3rd), the AJGA (5th) and Junior Golf Scoreboard (6th) each rated her within the top 10 in the class of 2025.
"I am thrilled that Madison is officially a Lady Vol," said Cantú. "Watching her compete the last year and a half has been so much fun.
"She is composed on the golf course, but also highly competitive. She can turn it on and make things happen. I love being around her and seeing her excitement for the future. Her accomplishments as a junior golfer are only the start to a great career she has in front of her. I love being around her, the next four years will be very enjoyable!"
Thitikarn Thapasit | Thailand
Thapasit comes from Thailand to Tennessee as one of the best international talents. The two-time Thailand National Team member represented her country in the 2024 Toyota World Junior Championships and also posted a first and second-place finishes at the 2023 and 2024 Singha Thailand Amateur Opens. Additionally, Thapasit took home medalist honors this past summer at the FCG International and FCG Collegiate Summer Championship.
"Thitikarn is a player I've had my eyes on for a while," said Cantú. "Since following her progress, she has developed into a well-rounded player.
Her international experience will help her transition to SEC college golf seem seamless. She is consistent, confident, and focused on the golf course. She will be a tremendous addition to our program. Not only is she a great competitor, but she is so much fun to be around."
The signing class trio, which is the highest-rated in program history, was ranked fifth by College Golf Commits, sixth according to Golfweek and seventh by Golf Channel.
"This week we welcomed a special group of ladies. Isabella, Kaopan, and Madison are not only amazing players, but also outstanding human beings," Cantú said. "This is the most talented class this program has signed. I am thrilled to have them be Lady Vols and build on our Legacy. They have bought into our vision and what we want to accomplish, which is winning SEC championships and competing for NCAA championships."
Isabella Johnson | Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Rated as the No. 1 player in the class of 2025 in Tennessee by Junior Golf Scoreboard and 27th overall, Johnson is set to arrive on Rocky Top with an impressive resume. The Volunteer State native took home the 2024 TSSAA Class Division II Class A individual title and won the inaugural Granny Jr. Invitational. Johnson has also been exposed to some of golf's biggest tournaments, participating in the 2024 Girls Junior PGA Championship, 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur and 2023 U.S. Girls Junior Amateur. Additionally, Johnson was a two-time Tennessee Junior Cup member.
"I am thrilled to keep Isabella home," said Cantú. "She is one of the most driven players I have seen. She is determined and so much fun to watch compete. Isabella has a great personality! I cannot wait for her to get to campus and watch her continue to grow and develop."
Madison Messimer | Myrtle Beach, SC
Messimer, who is the No. 1 overall golfer in South Carolina, joins the Lady Vols with a distinguished resume. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, native participated in the 2024 Solheim Cup, and is just one of four Lady Vols in program history to do so. Messimer posted a pair of top-five showings at both the 2024 U.S. Girls Junior Amateur and 2024 Girls Junior PGA Championship. In 2023, she took home the Carolinas Junior Player of the Year award. At the time of signing, College Golf Commits (3rd), the AJGA (5th) and Junior Golf Scoreboard (6th) each rated her within the top 10 in the class of 2025.
"I am thrilled that Madison is officially a Lady Vol," said Cantú. "Watching her compete the last year and a half has been so much fun.
"She is composed on the golf course, but also highly competitive. She can turn it on and make things happen. I love being around her and seeing her excitement for the future. Her accomplishments as a junior golfer are only the start to a great career she has in front of her. I love being around her, the next four years will be very enjoyable!"
Thitikarn Thapasit | Thailand
Thapasit comes from Thailand to Tennessee as one of the best international talents. The two-time Thailand National Team member represented her country in the 2024 Toyota World Junior Championships and also posted a first and second-place finishes at the 2023 and 2024 Singha Thailand Amateur Opens. Additionally, Thapasit took home medalist honors this past summer at the FCG International and FCG Collegiate Summer Championship.
"Thitikarn is a player I've had my eyes on for a while," said Cantú. "Since following her progress, she has developed into a well-rounded player.
Her international experience will help her transition to SEC college golf seem seamless. She is consistent, confident, and focused on the golf course. She will be a tremendous addition to our program. Not only is she a great competitor, but she is so much fun to be around."
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