April 26, 2005
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - The Marist water polo program will be bringing in five freshmen for the 2006 season, Head Coach Andrew Silva announced today. In addition to Kari Weston, who committed to Marist in November, the class will include Caitlin Hopkins, Katelin McCahill, Kristina Nickle and Kristen Powers.
With five graduating seniors from the class of 2005, Coach Silva was looking for a recruiting class that could be major contributors to the team in their freshman seasons. A solid mix of speed and size makes the program deep at all positions.
"I am extremely pleased with the athletes that will be joining the team this fall," Silva said of his recruits. "Each of them bring a commitment to winning and will help us build on the success the Marist water polo program has had this past season. As individuals they all bring something unique and different in their style of play and they will perfectly complement the strong players that will be returning from this year's team. We will be very deep and talented at all positions next season with the addition of this recruiting class."
Caitlin Hopkins, 5-6 Driver: Beaverton, Ore./Jesuit (Westview)
Hopkins, who will graduate from Jesuit H.S. but played for Westview H.S., earned Second Team All-State honors as a senior, leading Westview in scoring at the Oregon state championships that year. Also a member of the Tualatin Hills Water Polo Club, she led her high school squad to Metro League and Oregon state titles as a junior and a senior.
Silva on Hopkins: "Caitlin brings to the Marist water polo program a commitment to winning, as evidenced by her team's consecutive state titles. She is a clutch shooter and will be a major contributor to our team's offense."
Katelin McCahill, 6-0 2M: Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids
McCahill entered her senior season on the East Grand Rapids H.S. squad coming off a fantastic junior season that saw her earn Second Team All-American honors as well as First Team All-Conference, All-Region and All-State recognition. McCahill scored 113 goals as a junior and led East Grand Rapids to a third place finish at the Michigan state championships.
Silva on McCahill: "Katelin's size and strength make her very difficult to defend at the 2M position. A natural goal scorer, Katelin is also a threat on the perimeter and the counterattack in addition to being a tremendously strong defender."
Kristina Nickle, 5-4 Driver: Lake Worth, Fla./Lake Worth
Nickle was named a Third Team All-American as a junior after leading Lake Worth to its third consecutive district title and leading the team in scoring. A four-year varsity competitor, Nickle was a member of the Southeast Zone team last season.
Silva on Nickle: "Kristina is a very fast swimmer and will help lead our counterattack with her speed. Her zone team and club water polo successes make her an experienced player, ready to make an immediate impact on the team."
Kristen Powers, 5-10 2M: Los Altos, Calif./Los Altos
Powers led Los Altos in scoring as a junior before scoring more than 50 goals in her senior season. During her varsity career, Powers has been named to several All-Tournament First Teams. Also a member of the CSC Water Polo Club, she helped lead her Los Altos H.S. squad to second place in the league in 2005.
Silva on Powers: "Kristen's strong work ethic in the pool and weight room shows in her power and strength. These attributes, along with her size, will make her a difficult matchup for opposing teams at the 2M position."
Kari Weston (committed in November), 5-9 Driver: Chino Hills, Calif./Ayala
Weston, a four-year varsity starter for Ayala, was the Sierra League MVP during her junior season after being selected to the first team as a sophomore. She also captured first team CIF-SS (California Interscholastic Federation, Southern Section) Division III honors last season and was a member of the CHAWP water polo club team that took the bronze medal in the 2004 Junior Olympics. Weston has been a member of the club since the sixth grade. The two-year captain plans to major in Athletic Training at Marist.
Silva on Weston: "Kari will bring years of high level high school and club water polo experience to the Marist water polo program. I expect that she will make an immediate contribution to the team, both offensively and on the defensive end of the pool."
The 2005 Marist Red Foxes finished the regular season 13-18, 5-5 in the MAAC, and earned the fourth seed in this weekend's MAAC Championships, hosted by Marist at the James J. McCann Natatorium. The winner of the four-team tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships May 13-15 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
