Nov. 24, 2009
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State water polo head coach Carin Crawford announced her 2011 signing class on Tuesday. Six high school standouts signed National Letters of Intent recently and will join the Aztecs in time for the 2010-11 academic year.
"All of these athletes bring experience at the highest level of girls water polo in the nation, both club and high school," Crawford said. "They have had the best coaches in the business to teach them the skills for success at the next level, and I'm certain they have what it takes to keep the Aztecs among the nation's elite."
The lone goalkeeper of the class, Clair Babinski is a two-time all-league performer at Edison High in Huntington Beach, Calif. Babinski enters her senior campaign after enjoying a record-breaking junior year in 2008-09 when she made an Edison-record 283 saves. In 2009, Babinski was a member of the ODP SoPac Zone training team after playing in the ODP Zone Championships in May of 2008. While playing for SET (Saddleback El Toro) Club, Babinski led her team to the 2009 18-and-under Junior Olympics Platinum Division title.
"Clair is a very athletic goalkeeper who has great quickness and anticipation," Crawford said. "I have seen her come up with big saves under the most challenging situations. We are excited to have a young goalkeeper with J.O. championship experience join our program."
Orla Brazell will come to Montezuma Mesa after completing her high school eligibility at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly. An ambidextrous player who has sprinter, wing and utility experience at the Junior Olympic level, Brazell has averaged three goals, two assists and more than three steals per game over her career. During her time at Long Beach Poly, Brazell has recorded 64 goals, 46 assists and 70 steals, while winning 24 of 28 sprints. The 2009 ODP training team athlete is also an outstanding member of the Long Beach Poly swim team.
"As a left-handed attacker, Orla will bring an added dimension to our offense," Crawford said. "She contributes on both sides of the ball very effectively, with a balanced stat line in every game she plays. Orla is also a very ambitious student-athlete who has the desire, drive and work ethic to help us achieve our goals. Orla is the type of athlete who will have a steep learning curve in college, and I'm really looking forward to coaching her."
The third member of the signing class is Brittany Harris. Currently at Newport Harbor High in Newport Beach, Calif., Harris has helped the Sailors win the Sunset League in each of the last two seasons, while earning the team's Coaches Award in 2008. This past summer, Harris also guided Newport Harbor to a summer league state championship as an attacker.
Harris' high school teammate, Veronica McLean, will join her on campus in 2010-11 as she, too, signed a National Letter of Intent with San Diego State. This past summer, McLean was a member of the eighth-place Junior Olympic Newport Harbor team, the same squad that won the state high school championship. A natural winner and leader, McLean has been a two-time captain and two-time Coaches Award winner at Newport Harbor.
"Veronica and Brittany both are big contributors to the success of their Newport Harbor High School team, which is widely regarded as the team to beat in the upcoming girl's high school season," Crawford said. "Veronica is a defensive specialist, and Brittany possesses outstanding speed and quickness. They have developed under the legendary coach, Bill Barnett, and I am confident they possess the work ethic, skills and water polo IQ to make an impact for us here at SDSU during their careers."
From Laguna Hills (Calif.) High School, Megan Minekime inks with the Aztecs as she prepares for her fourth varsity season. A two-time all-league honoree, Minekime helped her team to a runner-up showing in the Pacific Coast League. In three years at Laguna Hills, Minekime has amassed 71 goals, 50 assists, 64 steals and 95 ejections drawn. Minekime will also bring Junior Olympic, U.S. Club and 20-U National Team experience to SDSU. She and Babinski were teammates on the SET team that won the 18-U Platinum Division Junior Olympics crown.
"Megan Minekime is a strong attacker and outside shooter, who has a broad range of skills that will contribute on both sides of the ball," Crawford said. "She also has J.O. championship experience playing for SET club, which will be invaluable to our team."
Jade Wentz Fitzgerald of San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, Calif., signs with San Diego State after a stellar junior season that saw her land onto the all-CIF Division I third team. In 2008-09, the two-year team co-captain also garnered first-team all-league recognition, team MVP honors and San Marcos High Female Athlete of the Year accolades. Additionally, the three-time all-Channel League choice will bring Holland National Team, ODP and Junior Olympic experience to Montezuma Mesa in 2010-11.
"Jade has a passion for the game that will prove to be a tremendous asset to our team," Crawford said. "She is a strong post-up player, and will give us lots of options at the offensive end. Jade also has valuable club experience as a member of the Santa Barbara Water Polo foundation, one of the top clubs in the nation."
The Aztecs will get their 2010 season under way at the Michigan Invitational, Jan. 23-24, before making their first appearance at Aztec Aquaplex on Jan. 30 in the annual Alumni game (noon PT). SDSU's regular season home opener is set for Feb. 5 vs. Marist at 3 p.m. PT.