Feb. 10, 2004
IOWA CITY –
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The University of Iowa field hockey team announced the signing of its 2004 recruiting class today. Caroline Blaum, Whitney Raffo and Kadi Sickel will all join the Hawkeyes in the fall of 2004.
“We are very excited to bring in a class like this, where all three will bring a well-rounded approach to the team,” Iowa Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum said. “Their engery and outlook are very positive, and I can’t wait until they get to campus and help carry us forward. We have very high expectations for this class.”
Blaum, from Wilkes-Barre, PA, was a second team NFHCA High School All-American and a first team regional all-American. She was a two-time all-state and all-Wyoming Valley Conference selection. Blaum led her Wyoming Seminary High School to the 2001 Pennsylvania State Championship and two district championships. Active in the U.S. National program, Blaum was a B-Camp invitee this season and has played in the futures program since 2001.
“Caroline is an excellent athlete with exceptional energy, and we are looking for her to raise the level of our offense on the forward line and in the midfield,” Griesbaum said. “She has a great work rate.”
Raffo, from Chatham, NJ, was a two-time first team all-conference, all-county and all-south Jersey selection, as well as the conference MVP as a senior. She was also named the 2003 Daily Record Player of the Year. Roffo led her Chatham High School team to a 14-2 record and a Colonial Hill Conference championship as a senior. She scored 37 points on 14 goals and 23 assists as a senior.
“Whitney is a very versatile player that should be able to play numerous positions for us,” Griesbaum said. “We are looking for her to contribute as a playmaker right away, either as a forward or midfielder. Her work ethic and passion will add a lot to our team.”
Sickel, from Plaistow, NH, was a first team NFHCA High School All-American and the New Hampshire Player of the Year as a senior. She was also named first team all-state, Eagle Tribune Player of the Year and team MVP in her final prep season. She started every game in her four-year high school career, totaling 77 points. Sickel was a member of the United States Under-16 Team, and participated in both A-Camp and B-Camp.
“We are thrilled to get an athlete with such great talent,” Griesbaum said. “Kadie is a very well-rounded athlete with a phenomenal approach to the game on both offense and defense. She should step in and contribute to our defense right away.”