Wolverines Add Six Student-Athletes to 2007 Roster
2/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan Men's Soccer head coach Steve Burns announced the signing of six student athletes for the upcoming 2007 season Monday (Feb. 19). Goalkeeper Chris Blais (Seattle, Wash./Kennedy Memorial HS), forward Vinnie Crumrine (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Park HS), defender Adam Keller (Franklin, Mich./Birmingham Groves HS), forward Tex McCullough (Plano, Texas/Plano Senior HS), defender Jeffrey Quijano (Simi Valley, Calif./Canoga Park HS) and midfielder Adam Shaw (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch HS) all signed to National Letters of Intent to play for Michigan in the 2007 season.
The addition of this class meshes well with our current players and increases our athleticism and soccer intelligence, said Burns. Each of these young men has the ability to significantly contribute to our team. I think they understand that it wont be easy. However, they possess the necessary tools of mental toughness, work ethic, and discipline needed to reach their potential.
Blais is a four-year letterwinner at Kennedy Memorial High School, and was instrumental in leading the Lancers to the State semi-finals in 2006. He was nominated to the 2006 Seattle All-Area team. During his junior year, Blais was voted the 2006 MVP of the Kennedy Memorial varsity basketball team as a shooting guard, finishing as the teams leading scorer and rebounder. He currently plays club soccer for Emerald City where he serves as team captain. His Emerald City team won the 2006 Washington State Cup Championship and advanced to the 2006 Region IV Regional Finals. He has made the Region IV ODP Pool Team on three occasions (2003-05).
Blais has the makeup to be an exceptional goalkeeper. He possesses the technical tools, athleticism and, most importantly, the mentality to excel at this position, Burns said. Rated as one of the top goalkeepers in the Pacific Northwest, Blais is an intimidating force between the pipes and will make his mark at Michigan.
A three-time All-State player and captain at Wheeling Park High School, Crumrine guided his team to two West Virgina State Championship appearance; he ranks third at his school for most career goals at 83. As a senior, Crumrine was voted the West Virginia High School Player of the Year and West Virginia Sports Writers Player of the Year, while being decorated as both a Gatorade and NSCAA All-American in 2006. He was a member of the varsity football team in 2006 and, in the same year, served as captain of the track team, earning first team all-state honors in the 200-yard dash. Off the field, Crumrine is a 4.0 student and National Honor Society member. He plays his youth club soccer for Beadling, a team in the Pittsburgh area, where Crumrine was a member of the PA-West State Championship squad in 2004.
Its tough to teach speed, and this is Vinnies strong suit. Composed and confident on the ball as a forward, he brings the kind of pace that frightens defenders and puts them on their heels, said Burns. Vinnie is a well-rounded young man that has a maturity beyond his years. We are excited have him at Michigan.
A two-time All-State player at Birmingham Groves High School, Keller was a two-time captain and four-year scholar-athlete. Keller was a member of the varsity tennis team, assisting his team to two state runner-up finishes. The Franklin, Mich., native is also currently captain of the varsity basketball team. Off the field, Keller serves as Vice President of the National Honor Society and Student Congress. He plays his club soccer for the Michigan Wolves, which are back-to-back State Champions (2005-06). He is also a member of the 89 Michigan ODP squad.
Adam is an exceptional athlete who is going to bring pace and power to our back line, said Burns. He is an instinctual defender that reads the game at a high level; is very tough in the tackle and can dominate in the air. Adam was our first verbal commitment in the 07 class. Our history shows that this person usually becomes a very important player and influential leader over his career.
McCullough comes to Michigan as a four-year letterwinner at Plano Senior High School. As a junior, he was voted as District 8-5A Offensive MVP and was elected to the Dallas All-Area team. In 2007, McCullough was selected by Rise Magazine as a DFW All-Area top-20 player. Currently a senior captain, he will attempt to lead Plano Senior to its sixth state championship this spring. McCullough, also a varsity football player, was selected to the 9-5A All-District first team and All-Collin County first team. He plays his club soccer for No. 2 nationally ranked Solar Soccer Club. Solar has won three consecutive Region III Regional Championships (2004-06) and has been back-to-back national finalists (2005-06).
Tex gives us another dimension up front, Burns stated. He is a physically strong goal scorer that fights in every aspect of the game. He has a proven track record of putting the ball in the back of the net and an infectious determination to succeed.
Quijano is as a four-year letterwinner at Canoga Park High School. He is a three-year captain who has guided his team to three consecutive Sunset League Championships. Quijano was instrumental in the teams 2006 West Coast High School Classic Championship, along with being named to the 2006 LA All-City First Team as a junior. Off the field, Quijano is an AP Scholar and High Honor Society member and also serves as Senior Class Vice President. Quijano plays his club soccer for Real So Cal where he is also a two-year captain. Real So Cal is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation, and was 2006 Cal-South State Finalists and 2006 Surf Cup Super Group Finalists.
Quijano is a superbly balanced athlete with great technical ability, said Burns. He is a versatile player that can play anywhere in the back line and even in midfield. He is a tough one-v-one defender that has a calming influence on his teammates. Expectations are high for him to have a Michigan career full of impact.
A two-time first team all-conference player at Highlands Ranch High School, Shaw was also a team captain in his senior season, garnering all-state honorable mention honors. Off the field, Shaw serves as class president and is an honor roll student. He played his club soccer for the Colorado Rush, serving as a team captain. His Rush team has won seven State Cup Championships, two Disney Cup Championships and have been Regional Finalists three times. In July of 2006, Shaw was selected to participate in the ESP Camp that honors the top 150 players in the country.
Adam has the attributes a Michigan player needs to succeed; work rate, courage, dedication, technical ability, tactical awareness, and a total refusal to accept second best, remarked Burns. He will reinforce our engine room in the central midfield and give our attacking players more license to break into goal scoring positions.
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (High School/Club) |
| Chris Blais | GK | 6-4 | 200 | Seattle, Wash. (Kennedy HS/Emerald City) |
| Vinnie Crumrine | FWD | 6-1 | 180 | Wheeling, W.Va. (Wheeling HS/Beadling) |
| Adam Keller | DEF | 6-1 | 175 | Franklin, Mich. (Groves HS/Michigan Wolves) |
| Tex McCullough | FWD | 5-10 | 175 | Plano, Texas (Plano HS/Solar) |
| Jeffrey Quijano | DEF | 6-0 | 165 | Simi Valley, Calif. (Canoga Park/Real So Cal) |
| Adam Shaw | MF | 5-7 | 150 | Lone Tree, Colo. (Highlands Ranch HS/Colorado Rush) |
Contact: Joseph Conrad: (734) 763-4423
