The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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64 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2019 TOP TEN OLYMPIC SPORTS FRESHMEN her No. 43 overall in its recruiting rankings, while FloSoftball pegged her at No. 25. "Audrey is the most goal-oriented, driven person I've ever gotten to work with," Phoenix Country Day softball head coach Diane Rodman said in June. "In the six years I've had the pleasure of knowing her, she has never failed to reach a personal goal she set for herself no matter how dif- ficult the path. "Her passion for both the game and people is evident in any conver- sation you have with her." 8. CHANDLER DENNIS Suwanee, Ga. • Softball The Georgian was tabbed as the 2018 Gwinnett Diamond Club Pitcher of the Year as a senior in 2018, and earned all-state accolades every year from 2016-18. Dennis wrapped up her prep ca- reer with a record of 62-15, to go along with 603 strikeouts and a 1.04 ERA. Extra Innings Softball had her pegged as the No. 16 overall recruit in the nation, while FloSoftball slot- ted her in at No. 29 and Softball Amer- ica at No. 30. "Chandler won a state champi- onship her sophomore year, plays with a highly competitive travel ball team and has just really impressed me from her commitment with her tenacity," Hutchins explained. "She is a kid who has had to overcome adversity. She not only has passed that test, she's just been amazing and she's better than ever. "She's got a tremendous work ethic. So she is really a pitcher we believe can come in and help us right away and contribute to our success." 9. JOHNNY BEECHER Elmira, N.Y. • Ice Hockey The forward was selected in the first round (30th overall) by the Bos- ton Bruins in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, after playing the previous two seasons with the USNTDP of the USHL. In 2018-19, Beecher took part in 63 tilts with the club and compiled 15 goals, 28 assists and 43 points. 1. Softball — Michigan softball head coach Carol Hutchins corralled a class of six new play- ers that featured five nationally ranked signees, and earned a fifth overall ranking by Extra In- nings Softball and a No. 14 listing by FloSoftball. A consensus top-21 recruit nationally by the three major recruiting services, infielder Julia Jimenez (Fontana, Calif.) headlines the class. Jimenez posted a career .479 batting average, .526 on-base percentage and a .870 slugging percentage. Following close behind in terms of rankings are pitcher Chandler Dennis (Suwanee, Ga.), infielder/outfielder Audrey LeClair (Phoenix), outfielder Lexi Voss (Palos Park, Ill.) and pitcher/ utility player Lauren Esman (Kalamazoo, Mich.) all who earned spots in the top 100 nationally. Four of those prospects appeared in the top 28 of the national recruiting rankings by at least one service. Voss was ranked as high as No. 28 nationally by Softball America, and Esman was named Michigan High School Soft- ball Coaches Association Pitcher of the Year while also posting gaudy offensive stats when not performing in the circle. "I think we have a really good combination of talent, athletes, high softball IQ and, of course, the quality I love the most, kids who are in love with the University of Michigan," Hutchins summed up about her incoming class. "I think all of them have the ability to come in and make their mark." Catcher/infielder Jessica Garmen (Waterford, Mich.) was added to the class in the spring. 2. Soccer — Drawing on players from three countries and six states, second-year head coach Jennifer Klein signed her first recruiting class, a group that garnered a No. 13 overall ranking from Top Drawer Soccer. Forward/midfielder Hannah Blake (Auckland, New Zealand) and forward/defender Jayde Riviere (Pickering, Ontario) repre- sent the international portion of the signees. In addition, eight other players were inked to wear maize and blue. Defender Lauren Brideau (Austin, Texas), defender/forward Claire Dawson (Cave Creek, Ariz.), Lily Farkas (Kansas City, Mo.), forward/midfielder Emily Leyson (Long Valley, N.J.), goalkeeper Katharine McElroy (Brookline, Mass.) and forward Danielle Wolfe (West Bloomfield, Mich.) comprise the domestic group of incoming talent. "We are very excited about the addition of these young women to our program," Klein told MGoBlue.com. "Not only are they very talented soccer players and fill positional needs, but they have the right character we are looking for as we build our program's culture. "Their collective soccer experiences, from competing for club and high school champion- ships to representing their countries at inter- national events and World Cups [in the case of Riviere], will have an immediate impact to our already talented returning group." 3. Volleyball — Highlighted by a trio of Prep Volleyball All-Americans, Michigan head coach Mark Rosen's four-player incoming class is balanced by posi- tion and fills needs throughout the lineup. Outside hitter May Pertofsky (Los Angeles) and outside hit- ter/middle blocker Jessica Robinson (Troy, Mich.) bring their All-America credentials to the Wolverine cadre of front-line players. Rosen scored a coup for Michigan when he signed Amber Beals (Columbus, Ohio), a Prep Volleyball All-American and the daughter of Ohio State head baseball coach Greg Beals. Beals will enter the lineup as a challenger for playing time at libero and on the back line. Setter Maddie Dowd (Clarkston, Mich.) completes the four-player class. "We're really excited about this class," Rosen told MGoBlue. com. "They're all very different in terms of how they'll impact our program. But they're all very athletic and they're all play- ers that are used to winning. "They've all played on great club and high school teams that are used to winning and competing at a high level, so I think they all have a chance to come in and make us better." — Bob Miller According to Softball America, Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins inked five of the top 67 recruits in the land. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP Michigan's Top Three Incoming Women's Olympic Sports Classes