Dec. 7, 2006
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State water polo head coach Carin Crawford announced the signing Thursday of three standout recruits to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Jayde Bracy (Rocklin, Calif.), Sarah Brady (Los Alamitos, Calif.) and Brooke Vessey (Redlands, Calif.) will begin classes on Montezuma Mesa next September and will be eligible to compete for the Aztecs during the 2008 season.
"I am very pleased these student-athletes are joining our Aztec family," Crawford said. "All three will represent San Diego State University extremely well in the pool, in the classroom and in the community."
Bracy, a goalkeeper from Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif., was recently voted her team's most valuable player after helping the Wolverines to a fourth-place finish at the NorCal regional championships, Nov. 10-11, in Santa Cruz. She also earned second-team All-Big 7 Conference accolades the past two seasons and was named Sierra's defensive player of the year in 2005.
Prior to junior college, Bracy was highly decorated prep player at Rocklin High School where she won three straight most valuable player awards from 2002-04. She also captured back-to-back Sierra Foothill League MVP honors in 2003-04 and was a first-team all-San Joaquin Section choice as a senior. Bracy excelled in the classroom as well, achieving honor roll status all four years at Rocklin High and was inducted into her school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
"As a junior college transfer, Jayde will bring experience and maturity to the goalie position that we will utilize next season," Crawford said. "She has good quickness and plays with great intensity and focus."
Brady, a utility player, is currently a senior at Los Alamitos High School where she is coached by Dave Carlson. Last year as a junior, she scored 65 goals, helping the Griffins to their fourth consecutive Sunset League title. For her efforts, Brady earned first-team all-conference accolades in 2005 and was named her team's defensive player of the year. Brady also has three years of experience at the club level with the Golden West/Irvine Water Polo Club and finished among the Top 42 athletes at the National Youth team tryout as a Sopac Zone member earlier this year.
"Sarah is a talented and versatile player who has experience as a driver and defender," Crawford said. "She is strong and smart and has played at the highest level on her high school team, with her club and as a representative of her zone. Sarah also has an array of offensive skills which will complement our program."
Vessey, a driver, is a senior at Redlands High who also brings impressive credentials with her to The Mesa. She was a first-team all-CIF selection from 2004-06 and was named her team's most valuable player during those three years. Vessey also captured Citrus Belt League MVP honors as a sophomore in 2005 and was a first-team selection on two occasions at the TYR Cup in 2005-06. A highly successful swimmer, Vessey qualified for the CIF meet in both the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard butterfly in 2004 and 2006.
"Brooke is expected to make an immediate impact as a driver and counter-attack specialist," Crawford said. "She has exceptional speed and will be a big factor in our transition game."
San Diego State opens its 2007 campaign on Feb. 8 with a home game against Hartwick College at the new Aztec Aquaplex. Starting time is set for 3 p.m. PST.