Wolverines Land Four Recruits in Early Signing Period
12/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's water polo team announced Wednesday (Dec. 4) the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2003-04 season. Jamie Brown (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS), Wesley Ellison (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto HS), Ashley McCullum (Poway, Calif./Poway HS) and Shana Welch (Plymouth, Pa./Wyoming Valley West HS) will all join Michigan as freshmen next season.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome these young ladies to Michigan," said first-year head coach Matt Anderson. "They have shown athletically and academically that they are ready to enjoy the expectations, the successes and the pleasures of being Wolverines. This class covers the various positions and has great balance."
Brown, a driver, has achieved All-America status at the 2001 Junior Olympics and the 2001 and 2002 Junior Nationals. She played with fellow U-M recruit Ashley McCollum on San Diego Shores, the 2001 gold medal-winning 16-and-under national championship team. She was an All-County and CIF first-team selection. In her three high school seasons, Brown has led her team to three consecutive Division II championships.
"Jamie has had Michigan at the top of her wish list for the last few years and we are pleased that she has joined us," Anderson said. "Her experience playing not only with her sister Erin (who is currently a sophomore) and current U-M freshman Megan Hausmann, but Ashley McCollum as well will help ease the learning curve her freshman year. Jamie brings a tough attitude and a great vision of the field as a passer that will work well for us here at Michigan."
Ellison, a 6-0 center, won the CIF section title in her sophomore and junior seasons at St. Francis High School. In her senior campaign at Palo Alto High School she led her team to its first league title.
"Wesley helps fill a void for us with her ability to play at two meters," said Anderson. "She has the chance to become a solid contributor and will allow us to play a style of water polo that will balance our team in the water. Her upside is outstanding."
A 5-10 defender, McCullum has earned recognition as a two-time All-American at the Junior Olympics, where as captain she led her team (San Diego Shores) to the 2001 16-and-under national championship. A starter in all three of her high school seasons, McCullum has twice been named first-team all-league (2001-02) and twice to the CIF second team. In addition, she led her team to the 2002 CIF Division I championship. The San Diego Union-Tribune selected McCullum to its all-academic team for the 2001-02 season.
"I am pleased to have Ashley on board as a Wolverine," said Anderson. "She is someone that for the last few years I have watched develop and am confident that she will be able to play at a high level for us here at Michigan. She has experience playing with some of the better players in the nation and understands what is expected to reach our team goals."
Welch, a driver, has been a member of the U.S. National Youth Team for the past two years. She has been named to the All-State and All-American teams in each of her three years. She was also the Pennsylvania MVP in 2002. Playing for the Navy Aquatics Club, Welch was a member of the 2001 Summer Junior (20 and Under) National Championship team. She also led the Navy Aquatics Club team to two Junior Olympic titles.
"Shana is a player that has the ability to be the best one in the pool right from the get-go," said Anderson. "Her teammates enjoy playing with her and she has the drive and expectations to be the best and win. She is coming to Michigan to make an impact right away. We want and expect to get players with the National Team experience here at Michigan and are fortunate to have Shana join us."
The Wolverines, who finished fourth at the 2002 NCAA Championship in just their second varsity season, will open the 2003 season with the Michigan Invitational on Jan. 25-26.
Contact: Paul Dickerson, Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
