U-M Men's Soccer Signs Six to National Letters of Intent
2/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
"This class, our third as a program, represents a special group of student-athletes," said Burns. "Not only will they add immediate impact and further depth to our program, but each one of these recruits possesses a competitive gleam in their eye and a passion for the game.
Blanks is a four-year member of the Michigan Olympic Development Program and a one-year member of the Midwest Regional Pool. The midfielder was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Pioneer High School, where he earned All-State honors in his junior and senior seasons. During his back-to-back All-State campaigns, Blanks led his team in scoring and was named team MVP.
"A gifted athlete with explosive acceleration, Blanks is a two-way personality player that is a joy to watch," said Burns. "Whether he plays as an outside midfielder or forward, he is a handful to defend. Blanks is one of the top players in the state and we expect him to have a significant impact on the team from day one."
Bruh will enter U-M following five years in the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program and two years as a member of the East Regional Pool. As a senior at Wheatley High School, Bruh was named a high school All-American by the NSCAA. He also earned All-State and All-County honors and was named the Nassau County Player of the Year as a senior while setting the school's career scoring record with 74 goals. His second consecutive Jim Steen Award as County Player of the Year makes him only the third player in 37 years to earn the award in back-to-back years. A three-year team MVP and four-year starter, Bruh led his team to a regional championship and state runner-up finish in his senior season. Bruh is the captain of his club team, the Albertson Animals, which is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation.
"Bruh is a rare and creative talent on the field," said Burns. "Not only does he possess the ability to score goals as a withdrawn forward, but he also creates twice as many chances for his teammates to score. He has a confidence and an understanding of the game beyond his years that will enable him to have a distinguished career at Michigan."
Dzubay is an accomplished goalkeeper who will round out the trio of netminders on the Wolverine roster for the 2002 campaign. A three-year member of the Ohio North Olympic Development Program, Dzubay was named to the Midwest Regional Team last year. He was a a three-year letterwinner at Northview High School and earned team MVP honors for each of those seasons. During his senior campaign Dzubay garnered NCSAA All-Midwest and All-State honors and was named District Player of the Year.
"Dzubay has the makeup to be an exceptional goalkeeper," said Burns. "He possesses the technical tools, athleticism and, most importantly, the mentality to excel at this position. Rated as one of the top goalkeepers in the Midwest, Dzubay is a strong force between the pipes."
Glinski, a five-year member of the Minnesota Olympic Development Program, was named to the Midwest Regional Team during his final two years of high school. As a four-year letterwinner at Lourdes High School, he helped his team win a state championship as a sophomore. In his senior season he was named Mr. Soccer for the state of Minnesota and was honored as a high school All-America by the NSCAA. In club soccer Glinski led his team, the Tsunami Gold, to five consecutive state championships and a No. 8 national ranking.
"An absolute 'ball-winner' with an uncompromising defensive mentality, Glinski is a force in the air and a physically punishing player to play against," said Burns. "There is no question that he is one of the top defenders in the Midwest and will enhance the dimension of toughness within our team."
O'Reilly comes to Michigan as a four-year member of the South Texas Olympic Development Program. He also led his club team, the Houston Texans, to four straight South Texas State Championships and a South Regional Championship in 1999. A graduate of Klein High School, O'Reilly earned All-State honors during his senior year. He will become the first Texan to wear the Maize and Blue when he joins the Wolverines in 2002.
"We identified O'Reilly as one of the top defenders in the South because he possesses a complete game," said Burns. "When you factor in his tenacity and mental toughness, you'll find a player that is going to have a significant impact on our team."
Sterba is a three-year captain of the Ohio North Olympic Development Program and helped lead his team to a berth in the ODP National Championships in March of this year. As a defender and senior captain of St. Ignatius High School, Sterba earned All-State honors in his final year while scoring 10 goals and dishing out 10 assists. In club play he captained his team, Cleveland United, to three consecutive state championships, including a Midwest Regional championship in 1999.
"Sterba is a left-footed defender that has great recognition of how to attack out of the back," said Burns. "He is an exceptionally tough competitor and athlete who is not only capable, but also eager to prove himself at the Division I level. He's only scratched the surface of his potential as a player and leader."
"Our program is built upon mentally tough players who are motivated and desperate to play well while achieving their goals at the University of Michigan," added Burns. "These six young men will seamlessly fit in with our team."
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (High School) |
| James Blanks | MF | 5-6 | 140 | Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer) |
| Adam Bruh | F | 5-10 | 160 | Roslyn Heights, N.Y. (Wheatley) |
| Peter Dzubay | GK | 6-2 | 183 | Sylvania, Ohio (Northview) |
| Chris Glinski | D | 6-3 | 185 | Rochester, Minn. (Lourdes) |
| Michael O'Rielly | D | 5-11 | 165 | Spring, Texas (Klein) |
| Ryan Sterba | D | 6-1 | 170 | Westlake, Ohio (St. Ignatius) |
Contact: Gene Skidmore (764) 763-4423
