Joining the original eight-member 2000 recruiting class are Kristin Bator (Saginaw/Heritage), Maureen Belknap (Jackson/Lumen Christi), Emilie Blough (Goshen, Ind./Northridge), Julia Hitchingham (Owosso), Diana Jacobson (Stillman Valley, Ill.), Lindsay McNeel (Defiance, Ohio), Jill Schaft (Lapeer/East), Kim Touroo (Chelsea), Kate Weston (Marshall), and Kerry Wolfe (Jackson/Lumen Christi).
"This is a solid group which provides us with quality depth at every position," said Watkins. "We've added a considerable amount of speed and size to our team with these additions.
"Overall, I'm really excited about our recruiting class as this fall will really be our first season in a lot of ways," stated Watkins. "This recruiting class allows us to be competitive right away because we have improved in our overall team speed and our level of playing experience."
•A honorable mention all-state division one pick as a junior in 1999. . . Achieved all-region and all-district accolades last season . . . "Kristin will have an impact right away for us because her skill and vision is going to open up a lot of opportunities for our forwards. She has a great sense of when and where to find attacking players."
Maureen Belknap
5-10 Midfielder
Jackson, Mich. (Lumen Christi)/Jackson United Soccer Club
•Attained 1999 Capital Circuit Conference First-Team honors . . . Garnered all-area first-team laurels and all-conference honorable mention accolades as a sophomore . . . Standout prep basketball player . . . "Maureen gives us the physical element we need in the defensive backfield. She can dominate a game in the air and contribute by coming forward out of the back. Maureen will make life easier for our central players by carrying a lot of the workload in the defensive part of midfield."
Emilie Blough
5-6 Defender/Midfielder
Goshen, Ind. (Northridge)/Elkhart Flames Soccer Club
•Two-time all-conference selection . . . Three-year varsity starter . . . "We're fortunate to have a standout student-athlete like Emilie. She's the type of player that takes on whatever role is given to her and I believe her best attribute is her consistent play, regardless of what position she plays."
Julia Hitchingham
5-11 Defender/Midfielder
Owosso, Mich.
•Twice (1997 & 1999) honored as team's Most Valuable Player. . . Voted team's Most Valuable Defender in 1998 . . . Served as co-captain for both soccer and basketball teams during the 1999-2000 athletics season . . . "I think Julia is a diamond in the rough and will develop into a great performer for us. She has a great attitude towards learning and her physical tools will allow her to compete in at any position."
Diana Jacobson
5-8 Forward
Stillman Valley, Ill./Rockford (Ill.) United Soccer Club
•All-conference performer in both soccer and basketball in 1998-99 . . . Team's highest goal scorer in '98 campaign . . . "Diana is one of the best-kept secrets in Illinois. She's a tremendous athlete who can score goals against anyone. She has the work ethic to come back from her injury to be an even stronger player this fall for us."
Lindsay McNeel
5-4 Midfielder/Forward
Defiance, Ohio
•An all-conference honorable mention pick as a junior . . . Served as team captain in 1999 . . . "Lindsay is the hard-working, blue-collar type of player, who's dedicated to reaching her potential as a player while improving the team. Her footspeed will be an asset in both attacking and defending situations."
Jill Schaft
5-4 Midfielder/Forward
Lapeer, Mich. (Lapeer East)/Lapeer Soccer Club
•Helped guide LEHS to three conference championships , two district titles, and a state championship runner-up finish in 1998 . . . "Jill is one of the best athletes we're bringing in this season. She provides us with speed for our wide midfield play and can get in behind defenses while providing some quality crosses."
Kim Touroo
5-5 Forward
Chelsea, Mich. (Chelsea)/Chelsea Soccer Club
•Earned second-team all-league honors as a junior . . . Notched all-district kudos in both her sophomore and junior seasons . . . "Kim is a great addition to our squad especially with her ability to set up other attacking players. Her speed and timely crosses will open up our attack this upcoming season and she will score her share of goals as well."
Kate Weston
5-3 Midfielder/Forward
Marshall, Mich./Kickers Travel Soccer
•An all-area pick in 1999 . . . Received all-district honorable mention team honors as a junior. . . "Kate is a very intelligent player who makes good decisions during the flow of play. I believe she will respond to the challenge of playing in the strong soccer environment we're creating for this upcoming season. She's certainly capable of developing into a solid, dynamic player."
Kerry Wolfe
5-8 Defender/Midfielder
Jackson, Mich. (Lumen Christi)/Ann Arbor Arsenal Soccer Club
•An all-conference selection in 1997 and '98 . . . "Kerry is a great find for us. With her vision and ability, she can play several positions and that will serve us well this fall. She was a key ingredient in building the young program at Lumen Christi into a top level team and I know she can accomplish the same for us."
The 10-member group joins eight other recruits – Holly Alexander (Belmont/Rockford), Joy Alexander (Belmont/Rockford), Amanda (Mandy) Cafmeyer (Greenville), Alana Dombrowski (Gaylord), Laurie Girdwood (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Northern), Amanda Kirkwood (Westfield, Ind.), Gayle Lukes (Kokomo, Ind./Western), and Emily Rogers (Traverse City/Central) to comprise the FSU's 2000 recruiting class. Joy Alexander is transferring to Ferris State from Tri-State University in Angola, Ind.
This season’s recruiting class represents the first for Ferris State, which completed its inaugural varsity season during the 1999 fall campaign.