The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/106890
inside michigan athletics Maize And Blue Notebook Introducing • First-year baseball coach Erik Bakich and his team will host the Leadoff Banquet Feb. 8 at the Junge Family Champions Center. The evening will include a silent auction, an autograph session, a buffet dinner, a live auction and comments from Bakich. Interested parties can contact Wayne Welton at (734) 763-1957 or via email at weltonw@umich.edu • Men's tennis coach Bruce Berque announced the signing of two recruits, Tyler Gardiner of Novi, Mich., and Kevin Wong of Hong Kong. Bakich "We are thrilled that Tyler and Kevin will be on board next year," Berque said. "They are both athletic, skilled in doubles as well as singles, and experienced at both the national and international junior levels. We are confident that they will be working very hard in the coming eight months, as they are very eager to be positive contributors in their first year at Michigan." U-M is losing one senior to graduation, Evan King, but he is no ordinary athlete. King stood 92-32 in his four-year career through Jan. 22, and is looking to become the fifth Wolverine all time to earn 100 wins. • The women's soccer team is welcoming home sophomore Olivia Brannon after she spent two years playing for Virginia. The Troy, Mich., native was a Parade AllAmerican and the Gatorade Michigan State Player of the Year in 2011 as a senior at Athens High School. She appeared in 39 games with the Cavaliers in two seasons, starting 37 games at center back, contributing four goals and two assists. Drafted • After stellar careers, seniors Kofi Opare from the men's soccer team and Haley Kopmeyer from the women's team were recently drafted in professional soccer leagues. Opare was taken in the second round (No. 24 overall) by the Los Angeles Galaxy Jan. 17 and becomes the seventh Wolverine to go in the MLS Super Draft. "I'm very excited and honored to represent the University of Michigan on the professional level," said Opare. "It is a dream come true and something that I have focused on since I was young. I have always wanted to play professional soccer and to have the opportunity to represent the Los Angeles Galaxy is something I am truly looking forward to." Kopmeyer was a fourth-round draft pick of the Seattle Reign FC. This marks the inaugural draft for the National Women's Soccer League. "It's a huge honor to be drafted," Kopmeyer said. "This isn't just a personal honor but rather a testament to how far Michigan has come as a program. It's very humbling, and I am excited to learn more about the opportunity."