Dec. 14, 2011
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State formally announced its seven incoming Nittany Lions from the high school ranks on Wednesday. Joining the Nittany Lions as freshmen in the 2012-13 academic year are Taylor Abeta (San Diego, Calif.), Reina Furuya (Waikele, Hawaii), Shannon Good (Horseheads, N.Y.), Karlie Habitz (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Macy Jones (Ashburn, Va.), Lexi Knief (Ramsey, N.J.) and Christie Von Pusch (Bryn Mawr, Pa.).
"The 2012 class is one of the largest classes we have ever signed and just oozes with talent," Head coach Robin Petrini said. "They are all very bright young ladies that understand the commitment, drive, and determination it takes to be successful in the classroom and on the field as a student-athlete at Penn State. We are very excited about what each one brings to our roster and we are eager to see them succeed throughout their careers."
Taylor Abeyta |
TAYLOR ABEYTA
Position: Outfield
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
High School: Mt. Carmel
Club: SoCal Breakers 18U Gold
Club Coach: Brant Beddow
Honors & Highlights: Named to the Union-Tribune All Academic Team junior year... Earned CIF's Victory with Honor Award...Member of 2009 and 2010 CIF District II Champions, which also won league championships...Member of Top 25 ranked club team in the country, SoCal Breakers 18U coached by Brant Beddow...Lettered four years in softball.
Personal: Taylor Marie Abeyta was born June 17, 1994 in San Diego, Calif. to Thomas and Regina Abeyta...Has one sister named Linnea...Undecided on major, but wants to join the Peace Corps then start a career in either medicine or business.
Abeyta on Penn State: "I absolutely love everything about the University: it has great academic and athletic programs, the campus is beautiful, and most of all, it has a great sense of pride and togetherness that no other college compared to.
Petrini on Abeyta: "Taylor possesses an enormous amount of athleticism and competitiveness. She is a triple threat at the plate and I am very excited about her tenacity on the basepaths and in the outfield. She is constantly working to improve her game and will push the standard for excellence in a Penn State uniform."
Reina Furuya |
REINA FURUYA
Position: Shortstop/Second Base
Hometown: Waikele, Hawaii
High School: Punahou
Club: Kaikamahine
Club Coach: John Lee
Honors & Highlights: Helped lead Punahou to 2011 ILH Division I Final appearance coached by Michael Okimoto and Bobby Makahilahila...Named All-State First Team as a utility player in 2011...Helped lead team to finals of the 2010 Hawaii State Championship...Named ILH First Team shortstop in 2011 with an ILH Second Team honor as second base in 2010...Played for the Kaikamahine club team directed by John Lee...Four-year letterwinner in softball and two-year letterwinner in basketball...Led Punahou to 2011 Hawaii Division I Finals and third place in 2010...Basketball two team won the 2010 and 2011 ILH Championship.
Personal: Reina Akemi Furuya was born April 29, 1994 in Honolulu to Gregg and Susan Furuya...Has an older brother named Bradley who studies at the University of Southern California...First member of the Furuya family to play a collegiate sport...Majoring in energy engineering.
Furuya on Penn State: "Penn State feels like the right place for me. It's everything I wanted for college: a great education, friendly people, a beautiful campus, incredible facilities, a school rich in tradition and honor and PSU has the best ice cream."
Petrini on Furuya: "Reina is going to be our first Hawaiian on our roster and I couldn't be more excited about what she can do for us. She has proven her work ethic and success in the classroom and on the field. We will look to her to solidify a young middle infield as her arm strength and range are her biggest assets. She bleeds blue and white and has already recruited a huge Penn State contingency on the islands."
Shannon Good |
SHANNON GOOD
Position: Outfield/Utility
Hometown: Horseheads, N.Y.
High School: Horseheads
Club: TC Tremors Gold
Club Coach: Lou Bishop
Honors & Highlights: Earned All-State and two All-Conference honors at Horseheads coached by Audrey Rijo...Named Corning Leader Player of the Year...Left Horseheads High as all-time leader in batting average, two-time captain and Wayne Coburn Award winner...Helped lead team to State Runner-up appearance and two sectional championships...Lettered five times in softball and added three letters in soccer along with a captaincy.
Personal: Shannon Good was born April 6, 1994 in Corning, N.Y. to Steve and Kathleen Good...Has one sister named Courtney...Majoring in chemical engineering...Intends to pursue a Master's degree and examine stem cell research...Earned a perfect 4.0 GPA at Horseheads and is a four-year scholar-athlete award winner.
Good on Penn State: "Penn State offered the perfect balance of academic excellence and opportunity combined with the long-standing tradition of school pride and dedication to athletics. PSU seemed to be the best place to prepare me for what lies ahead."
Petrini on Good: "Shannon continues to carry the torch for us in a long line of successful camp participants. She has power at the plate and is very athletic in the outfield. She works hard to improve her game and academically has already qualified for our Honor's College. Shannon will push each of her teammates daily and we are excited to see her transition to the next level."
Karlie Habitz |
KARLIE HABITZ
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Santa Clarita, Calif.
High School: Valencia
Club: So Cal Choppers
Club Coach: Dean and Gary Fausett
Honors & Highlights: Named All-Foothill League and All-Santa Clarita in high school coached by Donna Lee...Helped lead team to CIF Semifinalist spot in 2010 along with Michelle Carew Tournament Championship in 2010...Led Valencia to the 2011 CIF Quarterfinals and winning the Tournament of Champions in the same year...Player four years of club ball for the So Cal Choppers 18U Gold coached by Dean and Gray Fausett...Lettered four times in softball.
Personal: Karlie E. Habitz was born July 30, 1994 in Santa Clarita, Calif. to Dave and Sabine Habitz...Has one sister named Corinna...Intends to go into athletic training or coaching after graduation.
Habitz on Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I love the tradition at the school and knowing that I would have an education from a great school."
Petrini on Habitz: "When I think of Karlie, one phrase immediately comes to mind and that is sheer power. She has a great command behind the plate and simply owns the batter's box on offense. She comes to us from a tremendous travel ball program where powerful hitters are born and bred. Karlie will join former travel teammate Alyssa Sovereign in the blue and white."
Macy Jones |
MACY JONES
Position: Outfield/Pitcher
Hometown: Ashburn, Va.
High School: Briar Woods
Club: New Jersey Intensity
Club Coach: Kevin O'Donnell
Honors & Highlights: Captured the 2011 All-State First Team, All-Region First Team, All-Metro Area, All-District as well as State and District Player of the Year honors...Named to 2010 All-District First Team, All-Region First Team and All-State Second Team along with an All-Metro Area First Team laurel...Earned All-District Second team in 2009...Has earned three letters in softball coached by Jennifer Traina at Briar Woods, helping to lead the team to a state championship...Plies her club ball trade with the New Jersey Intensity under the direction of Kevin O'Donnell...The Intensity finished in the Top 16 at the 2011 Premier National Tournament...Earned four letters in basketball along with two letters in volleyball.
Personal: Macy Jones was born May 2, 1994 in Fair Oaks, Va. to Michelle and Mark Jones...Has an older brother named Matthew...Majoring in energy, business and finance...Intends to pursue an MBA upon graduation.
Jones on Penn State: "I chose Penn State because of the proud feeling of unity and tradition I got when I was on campus."
Petrini on Jones: "Macy is the consummate Penn State student-athlete. To say that she is successful academically and athletically is an understatement. She has already led her high school team to a State Championship and is fighting for top honors in her class. She is an incredible outfielder, has great pop at the plate, and can even get it done on the mound. We are looking to Macy to step in and make an immediate impact on our roster."
Lexi Knief |
LEXI KNIEF
Position: Infield/Outfield
Hometown: Ramsey, N.J.
High School: Ramsey
Club: Team LI Gold
Club Coach: Nick Galati
Honors & Highlights: Named All-League, All-County and Suburban News Player of the Year 2009-11...Named Female Athlete of the Year 2009-10...Named All-State 2010-11 and MVP of Ramsey 2010-11, coached by Chris Caserta...Led county in 2011 with a .598 batting average...Named team captain for 2012 season...Played summer ball for Team LI Gold coached by Nike Galati...Four year letterwinner in soccer, named Bergen Record Female Soccer Player of the year in 2011...Named to the All-League squad from 2008-11...Earned All County 2010-11 and Suburban News Player of the Year 2009-11...Named MVP for 2010 squad while leading Bergen County with 27 goals scored...Helped lead Ramsey to the 2011 Big North League, N.J. State Sectional and N.J. Group II State titles.
Personal: Lexis Anne Knief was born March 22, 1994 in Ridgewood, N.J. to Cathi and Karl Knief...Has a twin sister named Ashley and two siblings named Kris and Brett...Last name is pronounced NEEF.
Knief on Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I have the opportunity to get a great education at one of the nation's top universities, play softball in the Big Ten and in a new softball facility. The coaching staff will challenge me to achieve my goals both on the field and in the classroom."
Petrini on Knief: "Lexi defines what it means to be a well rounded athlete. She is arguably the best soccer player in the state of New Jersey and will simply chew glass to get things done. She is tough, a fierce competitor, and fiery on the field. Her speed, athleticism, and versatility will serve her very well in a tough Big Ten Conference."
Christy Von Pusch |
CHRISTY VON PUSCH
Position: Pitcher/Infield
Hometown: Bryn Mawr, Pa.
High School: Radnor
Club: Newtown Rock Gold
Club Coach: Rick Waye
Honors & Highlights: Earned All-State AAA First Team in 2011 and Second Team honors in 2010...Named All-DelCo First Team and All-Central League First Team in 2010-11...Named All-Main Line Media News Softball Player of the year twice...Lettered four years in softball coached by Jessica Verguldi-Scott at Radnor...Plays club ball for the Newtown Rock Gold directed by Rick Waye...Lettered once in volleyball.
Personal: Christine Von Pusch was born April 9, 1994 in Tampa, Fla. to Rick and Linda Von Pusch...Has eight siblings: Brooke, Brandon, Tara, Igor, Boris, Maria, Katarina, and Greg...Majoring in finance with a minor in engineering or Spanish...Intends to apply for graduate school after Penn State.
Von Pusch on Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I loved the campus and all the opportunities that the school offers. It has a perfect balance between academics and athletics."
Petrini on Von Pusch: "Christy brings the right arm to our class. She has thrown countless no-hitters in her high school season and throws a very hard and heavy ball. She possesses a lot of versatility on defense and has quite a bit of power in her bat. As excited as she is about pitching, she is equally as proud of her academic achievements. I am anxious to see her take the mound and continue her successes as a Nittany Lion." --NITTANY LIONS--