Feb. 8, 2006
Four field hockey players have signed national letters of intent to play for The University of Iowa. Meghan Beamesderfer, Tricia Dean, Kelly Hondros and Jessica Werley will all play for the Hawkeyes in the fall of 2006.
“Talent-wise this is probably one of the best classes that we have ever recruited,” said Iowa Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum. “Along with speed and athleticism, they have a high skill base so we won’t have to teach them a lot of new techniques and they’ll be able to pick up skills where the rest of the returning team left off.”
Meghan Beamesderfer is a midfielder/defender from Lititz, PA. Beamesderfer earned the most varsity letters by a female athlete in Warwick High School history as a 12-time varsity letter winner in field hockey, basketball and soccer. She is a three-time all-county and all-state selection, as well as a 2005 NFHCA regional first-team pick and a NFHCA second team all-American. Beamesderfer was a member of the U.S. Under-16 National Team.
“Meghan is an all-around great athlete who is highly skilled offensively and defensively,” said Griesbaum. “Next year, we will probably look at starting her in our defense.”
Tricia Dean is a midfielder/forward from Bear, DE. The William Penn High School athlete is a three-time all-stater and a four-time all-conference pick. She was a first-team regional NFHCA pick in 2004 and 2005 and played for the U.S. Under-16 National Team.
“We will look to have Tricia play in our midfield next year,” said Griesbaum. “She is a versatile player, but is also very offensive minded.”
Forward Kelly Hondros of Columbus, OH, is a four-time all-district, all-state and Most Valuable Offensive player at Columbus Academy. Hondros was also part of two state champion teams (2003, 2004) and was chosen as a NFHCA West Region all-American three times.
“Kelly is a great goal scorer who really takes pride in scoring,” said Griesbaum. “She will definitely be competing for a spot on our forward line.”
Jessica Werley is a midfielder/forward from Allentown, PA. At Emmaus High School she was part of two championship squads (2004, 2005), was a four-time all-district player, a three-time all-conference selection, and was chosen to the first-team all-state squad twice. In 2005, Werley was a NFHCA Mideast regional first-team all-American and a national first-team selection.
“Jessica is a very experienced player for her age that will probably be playing in midfield or backfield,” said Griesbaum. “Coming off of a state championship squad, she is used to success and we look for her to bring that winning attitude to the program.”
The incoming Hawkeyes have played with and against each other in national tournaments throughout the years. In 2005, Dean, Hondros and Werley all played for the United States in the Canada vs. America Challenge in which the top young field hockey players from each country compete against each other. All four players have also been Junior Olympians at some time in their careers as well.
“This group of players is ultra-excited about being Hawkeyes, and if they could come to Iowa right now, I think many them probably would,” said Griesbaum. “This class will fit right into the program because they have a very competitive attitude.”