JMU Women 'Refuel' with Latest Recruits
from press release
HARRISONBURG, Va. -- James Madison lacrosse
coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe has announced the Dukes' 2011 freshman
class. The incoming class includes the following: Alexis Cross
(Liberty HS, Md.); Alison Curwin (Pittsford Sutherland HS, N.Y.);
Stephanie Finley (Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Pa.);
Schylar Healy (Liberty HS, Md.); Hannah Verschoore (John Carroll
School, Md.); and Jordan Wilkins (Westminster HS, Md.).
"The Dukes will refuel with a very exciting incoming class,"
Klaes-Bawcombe said. " This group of young women brings tremendous
speed, tenacity and a strong defensive presence!
"Our JMU family grows that much stronger with two second-generation
JMU student- athletes. Ali Curwin's father, Gary (JMU '83), was a
member of the JMU wrestling team, and Alexis Cross's parents,
Chantal (JMU '87) and Jeff (JMU '81), graduated from JMU. Her
father was a member of the basketball team (1977-80).
"We are excited to continue growing our Duke Dog Pride and our
ability to compete for championships with this talented group of
student-athletes."
A closer look at JMU's lacrosse recruiting class:
Alexis Cross, Marriottsville, Md., Liberty High School, CheckHers
Club Program, Defender
Cross is ranked 32nd among the Top 50 overall seniors for 2011 and
ranked eighth among the Top 20 senior defenders by ESPN Rise. She
was named All-Carroll County First Team, All-Chesapeake Conference
First Team and All-Metro Baltimore in 2010, when her team won the
Baltimore Under Armour Championship. She also plays field hockey
and basketball, and she earned All-Chesapeake Conference First Team
and All-Carroll County Second Team honors in both field hockey and
basketball in 2010. Her basketball team won the regional
championship last season.
Coach Klaes-Bawcombe on Cross: "Lexie is a fierce competitor who
works hard to impact all aspects of the game from her defensive
role. She uses her height and ups to win draw controls, she uses
her speed to bring the ball out of the defensive end and she uses
her athleticism and intuition to make plays on the defensive
end."
Alison Curwin, Pittsford, N.Y., Pittsford Sutherland High School,
Relentless Hustle Club Program, Midfielder
Curwin is ranked 19th nationally among senior attackers by ESPN
Rise. She is a three-time All-Monroe County First Team selection
and a 2010 All-Greater Rochester honoree for Pittsford, which won
the Section V championship last season. She played on the
silver-medalist team at the 2010 Empire State Games and has twice
been selected her high school team's Most Valuable Player. She also
plays basketball and was named to the 2010 Section V All-Tournament
Team. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a two-time
Academic All-American.
Coach Klaes-Bawcombe on Curwin: "Ali has spunk, tenacity and a work
ethic that will inspire an already hard-working team in JMU. She is
quick, feisty and never gives up on the field. Add these qualities
to vision, game sense and composure, and she is the perfect middie
for JMU lacrosse."
Stephanie Finley, Media, Pa., Country Day School of the Sacred
Heart, Phantastix Club Program, Attacking Midfielder
Finley earned All-Main Line First Team honors and has twice been
chosen a Catholic Academies League All-Star. She has been selected
her high school team's Most Valuable Player the last two seasons.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and received Academic
High Honors the first quarter of the 2010-11 school year.
Coach Klaes-Bawcombe on Finley: "Stephanie is one of the fastest
athletes in the 2011 recruiting class. Most athletes with Steph's
speed do not have the skill, composure and awareness to go along
with the speed, and this is what separates Steph from the rest of
the pack. She has a knack for finding the net and will be a huge
scoring threat for the Dukes."
Schylar Healy, Eldersburg, Md., Liberty High School, M&D Club
Program, Goalkeeper
Healy is ranked seventh nationally and number one in Maryland among
senior goalkeepers by ESPN Rise. She is a four-year starter for
Liberty and has been named All-Conference and All-Carroll County
the last two seasons. Healy, who was invited to try out for the
Under-19 U.S. Team, has also earned All-Galaxy Team honors while
playing for the M&D Black club team. She has also been a
four-year starter and a team captain for the Liberty field hockey
team and has earned All-Conference recognition in field hockey.
Coach Klaes-Bawcombe on Healy: "Schylar simply loves the game of
lacrosse and is committed to making herself one of the best goalies
to play the game. She has a strong vocal presence; she has quick
hands and feet and is very flexible which allow her to make some
dramatic saves on the field."
Hannah Verschoore, Bel Air, Md., The John Carroll School,
Skywalkers Club Program, Defender
Vershcoore has twice been selected All-Metro Baltimore and is a
four-year varsity player at John Carroll. She played for the 2011
Skywalkers Blue Club Team that went undefeated in the 2010 summer
season.
Coach Klaes-Bawcombe on Verschoore: "Hannah brings an intensity and
physicality that makes playing the game of lacrosse fun and
exciting. She uses her size well and has a strong presence on the
field which will help our team to maintain the intimidation factor
of the JMU defense."
Jordan Wilkins, Finksburg, Md., Westminster High School, CheckHers
Club Program, Midfielder
Wilkins is a member of Westminster teams that were state runners-up
in 2009 and state semifinalists in 2010. She was the starting
center midfielder for the CheckHers Elite team that won the
national club championship in 2008. Wilkins also played for
Westminster's undefeated (19-0) state champion field hockey team
this fall and has earned All-Carroll County and All-Conference
First-Team honors in field hockey. She is a member of the National
Honor Society.
Coach Klaes-Bawcombe on Wilkins: "Jordan is the quintessential team
player. She will do whatever it is that is needed in that moment.
She is very versatile and is hard-working. She is a true middie
with strong attributes on both ends of the field. We are excited
for her coachability and willingness to help make JMU lacrosse a
program to be reckoned with."
