The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/144506
Talia Chiarelli, Gymnastics: Talia Chiarelli calls Boston her home, but she grew up in Sarnia, Ottawa. Another freshman in the 2013 class with some international flavor, Chiarelli comes equipped with a competitive background and a whole host of skills that U-M head coach Bev Plocki can draw from. She aided Canada in finishing second at 2012 Olympic Qualifying (vault: 14.500, balance beam: 13.400, floor: 13.433), but back pain prevented her from representing her country at the trials. However, Chiarelli has proven on an international level that she can succeed, which should benefit Michigan in the near future. ERA. Named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Georgia, Betsa struck out 463 batters. The 463 strikeouts are the second-highest season total ever reached by a pitcher in Georgia high school history. In her career, she finished fourth all time in batters fanned with 1,349. "I just had a chance to watch Megan Betsa pitch in her state tournament and came away very impressed," Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins said. "She has gotten stronger and is a great competitor." Abby Ramirez, Softball: Not to be outdone by her future teammate, Ramirez brings tremendous bat power and a tireless work ethic to Michigan softball head coach Carol Hutchins "I just had a chance to watch Megan Betsa pitch in her state tournament and came away very impressed. She has gotten stronger and is a great competitor." "Talia is a highly decorated athlete with extensive competitive experience," Plocki said. "She should be able to come in and make an impact in the all-around almost immediately." Megan Betsa, Softball: Betsa is the crown jewel of the Wolverines' 2013 recruiting class. The right-handed fire-baller from McDonough, Ga., pitched for Union Grove High as a prep star, and she brings a seemingly inexhaustible list of accomplishments and awards with her to Michigan. She spearheaded the Lady Wolverines to the Class 5A state championship in her senior season, compiling a 30‑5 record and an astounding 0.36 the table. An infielder, Ramirez attended Trinity High School in Chicago, where she took home Gatorade Player of the Year distinction in Illinois. A versatile athlete who possesses great speed and a glove that swallows up ground balls, Ramirez batted .596, hit 20 home runs and knocked in 48 runs in her senior season. The 20 long balls set a Class 4A record in the state of Illinois. "Abby Ramirez comes in as one of our fastest recruits, and she has continued to get better and better throughout her high school career," Hutchins said. Briana Jurries, Swimming: Jurries at-