University of North Carolina Athletics
Women's Lacrosse Signs Eight for 2004 Season
February 3, 2003 | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 3, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina women's lacrosse program has signed eight student-athletes to join the Tar Heel program for the 2003-04 academic year, head coach Jenny Slingluff Levy announced on Monday. All eight signed national letters of intent in Nov. 2002.
The class includes three midfielders (Jessica Allen, Jenn Cook and Julie Gladchuk), three attacking midfielders (Lindsay Higgins, Christina Juras and Kelly Renzi), an attacker (Chrissy Rude) and a goalkeeper (Kristen Hordy). Six are Maryland natives, one is from New York and the other from Pennsylvania.
"We're really excited about this incoming class," Slingluff Levy said on Monday. "These are eight solid recruits who were highly sought-after by a lot of quality schools. Our roster is a little thin this year because we lost so much off of last year's team. This group of signees adds depth and speed and can contribute right away."
Jessica Allen (Hereford, Md.) is midfielder on the Under-19 U.S. National Team who also was a first-team all-metro choice in 2002. The younger sister of current UNC sophomore midfielder Gina Allen, Jessica Allen is a three-time all-county choice in lacrosse who also was a a four-time all-county choice in basketball. She is an honor roll student.
Jenn Cook (Broomall, Pa.) is a decorated soccer player at Marple Newton High School who has served as a four-year varsity starter in three sports -- serving as team captain in soccer, swimming and lacrosse. She was a first-team all-league choice as a midfielder in lacrosse, leading the team in scoring as a junior in 2002. She was named MVP of the lacrosse team in '02 and is an honor roll student.
Julie Gladchuk (Annapolis, Md.) is a three-year starter in the midfield for the St. Mary's School who is also an excellent basketball player. A member of the National Honor Society, Gladchuk was an all-county choice as a junior.
Lindsay Higgins (Baltimore, Md.) is an attacking midfielder who led Roland Park Country School in scoring as a junior in 2002. The younger sister of current Tar Heel sophomore attacker Allison Higgins, Lindsay Higgins is a four-year member of the track team (competing in the 4x100 relay, high jump and 300 meter) and played two seasons of field hockey.
Kristen Hurdy (Northport, N.Y.) is an All-America goalkeeper at Northport High School who has already been named all-county twice entering her senior season. An honor roll student who also was an all-county selection in volleyball, Hordy has been a four-year starter in the goal at Northport H.S.
Christina Juras (Ellicott City, Md.) is an attacking midfielder at the McDonogh School who served as team captain in each of the last two seasons. An all-city/all-metro selection in 2002, she is also an honor roll student.
Kelly Renzi (Ellicott City, Md.), an attacking midfielder at Centennial High School, was a Washington Post honorable mention all-metro choice and a first-team all-county selection by the Baltimore Sun in 2002. A state finalist for the National Wendy's High School Heisman award in 2002-03, she has won a number of awards on and off the playing field and also plays soccer.
Chrissy Rude (Sparks, Md.) is a first-team all-county, all-city/county and all-metro choice from the Baltimore area. A gifted attacker, she was an honorable mention All-America as a junior.
Although this group of signess will not play for the Tar Heels until 2004, Carolina will open its 2003 season on Feb. 23 against Davidson in Henry Stadium in Chapel Hill.
UNC Women's Lacrosse Class of 2007
Name, Pos., Hometown (High School)
Jessica Allen, M, Hereford, Md. (Hereford)
Jenn Cook, M, Broomall, Pa. (Marple Newtown)
Julie Gladchuk, M, Annapolis, Md. (St. Mary's School)
Lindsay Higgins, A/M, Baltimore, Md. (Roland Park)
Kristen Hordy, G, Northport, N.Y. (Northport)
Christina Juras, A/M, Ellicott City, Md. (McDonogh School)
Kelly Renzi, A/M, Ellicott City, Md. (Centennial)
Chrissy Rude, A, Sparks, Md. (Hereford)
