2004-05 Recruits

2004-05

Sade` Powell, from Fairbanks, Alaska, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Coach Laura Pollard and the 2004-05 Graceland Yellowjackets. At Austin E. Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Powell was the leading rebounder for the Malemutes. A five-foot-eleven-inch center, Powell was on the 2001-02 MAC All-Conference team, received 2001 Player of the Week recognition, the Defense Award and was a Who’s Who Among High School Athletes selection.   In high school Powell also threw the shot put and discus, placing second in the region and fifth and seventh at the state track meet. Powell plans to study optometry and business finance at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Sade` is the daughter of Johnny Powell and Sheila Walton of Fairbanks.

Graceland head coach Laura Pollard added Brittany Sliger to the women’s roster for the 2004-05 Yellowjacket basketball season. Sliger is a guard from Camarillo, Calif. At five-foot-seven-inches, Sliger averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game. She also made 48 three-pointers for the Adolfo Camarillo High School Scorpions who went 18-10 and played in the second round of the CIF playoffs.

“Brittany was referred to attend GU by a former friend of her father’s, Anthony Austin, who is a 1984 Graceland graduate,” says Pollard. “She is a scorer, especially from three-point land. She handles the ball with skill and quickness. All of the way from California, Brittany will be a great asset to the Yellowjacket squad.”

At ACHS, Sliger received the Best Offense Award and the Hustle Award. She was a team captain and was voted all-league for two years and all-tournament for two years.

Off of the basketball court, Sliger has worked with the campus Key Club, the Rain Project, the Padre Serra youth group, was a youth league coach and a youth league referee.

Sliger plans to study physical education and health at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Brittany is the daughter of Tim and Evie, and the sister of Brooke and Michael.

Samantha Piquette, from Casselman, Ontario, Canada, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball and track and field at Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2004. At Rockland D High School, Sam was a point guard for the basketball team and threw the javelin and shot out in track and field. She also played volleyball and badminton for the Wildcats.  In basketball, Piquette averaged 27 points 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her team that played in the association finals. She was the female basketball most valuable player and female athlete of the year from grade 8 to grade 12.

“Samantha is an athlete,” says Graceland’s women’s basketball coach, Laura Pollard. “Contrary to a lot of freshman coming into the sport of basketball, she has very good upper body strength. She is a strong competitor, smart and wants to learn. My expectation is that Sam will do better than we think -- moving towards playing varsity sooner than most freshmen. We are happy to have her on board.”

At the OFSAA track meet, Piquette placed third in the javelin and 12th in the shot put. She was recognized as the female track and field most valuable player from grade 9 through grade 12.

Academically, Piquette received the Ontario Scholar Award and has been on the honor roll for four years. She is also a member of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.

Piquette plans to major in education or physical education, with a minor in biology at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Samantha is the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth and the sister of Christian and Mathieu.

Freeport senior Melissa Kinney has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Coach Laura Pollard at Graceland University. Kinney played basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer for the Freeport High School Pretzels, but has chosen to pursue her hoop dreams for the Graceland Yellowjackets. This year the Pretzel basketball team was 13-14 overall and 10-6 in the conference. She is a five-foot-eight-inch power forward on the hoop squad. “Melissa is very strong, physically for a young woman her age,” says Pollard. “She uses her strength well for blocking out and rebounding on the offensive end.” Kinney is a member of National Honors Society, SADD, band, Key Club, school newspaper, F.E.A. and orchestra. She is also the P.R.I.D.E. winner – defining excellence – and is on the “A” Honor Roll. “She’s smart about the game of basketball and very self-motivated, having played four sports in high school,” concluded Pollard. “We are very pleased to have Melissa join the women’s basketball team.”

Kinney plans to double-major in art and education at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Melissa is the daughter of Marj George and the sister to Stacy and Amanda.

Madison County High School senior Cierra Gallon signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2004. “Cierra has natural athleticism and a desire to learn,” says Graceland Head Coach Laura Pollard. “Cierra already has proven her success on the defensive end as well. That is, at five-foot-four-inches she managed two blocked shots per game and three steals.” Gallon is a shooting guard from Madison, Fla. At MCHS, Gallon averaged 10 points, three steals and two blocked shots per game. In her senior year, Cierra helped the Cowgirls achieve an 11-11 season record and won the “Will to Win” trophy for the Madison County High School girls’ basketball team. “Even though we do have quite a few guards for 2004-05, I believe that in time, she will develop into an all-around player, providing offensive scoring,” continues Pollard. “We are excited to have her at GU.”

Gallon is active in the Pineland Missionary Baptist Church and youth choir. She is also a member of the Madison County Central School Mentoring Program.

Cierra is the daughter of Marilyn Haynes-Gallon and Steve Gallon. She is the sister to Jamal and Vernor.

Gallon is a high school honor graduate and plans to major in criminal justice and pre-law at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Head Coach Laura Pollard announces the signing of Jessica Meyer, from Grand Island, Neb., to play basketball for Graceland University beginning in 2004. “Jessica is a highly competitive athlete,” says Pollard. “More importantly, she has high expectations for herself and promotes that in her teammates.” Meyer played junior college ball at Northeast Community College after her years at Wood River Rural High School. Jess, a five-foot-three-inch point guard, was an honorable mention all-state performer for the Wood River Rural Eagles. She also participated in volleyball, track and National Honors Society and was listed as a Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

“I recruited Jessica one year ago, but she opted to go to Northeast as it was closer to home,” continues Pollard. “So, when she called and said she wanted to come to Graceland, I jumped as the chance to get her. I’m thrilled to have Jessica on board.”

Jessica is the daughter of Paul and Lynette and the sister to Nikki, Jackie, Adam and Daniel.

Megan Sperry, a senior from Pattonsburg R-2 High School in Pattonsburg, Mo., signed her letter of intent to play basketball for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa beginning in the fall of 2004. Sperry was a 1st Team All-Conference player by a unanimous vote and a two year All-Tournament Team member. She also made the Honor Roll three years in high school.

Megan is also involved in Future Farmers of America, band, and is active in a youth group.

Megan is planning to major in education at Graceland University.

“Megan is a determined young athlete,” says Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Laura Pollard, “She will play junior varsity for Graceland with hopes to help the varsity squad out in the near future.”

Jennifer Abraham from Astorville, Ontario, Canada, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2004. Abraham was a five-foot-eleven-inch forward for St. Joseph Scollard Hall High School, where she averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and five assists per game. In her senior year, the Bears placed second in the league and second in regionals. “Jennifer is a tireless player who works very hard in the post and on the boards,” says Graceland Head Coach Laura Pollard. “Even though she is a freshman coming in, I believe she can help us in the post at the varsity level before the year is over.”

In high school Abraham was named Female Athlete of the Year, three-time Heart and Determination award winner, two-time team MVP and was a Northern Classic All-Star player. Abraham also participates in throwing events in track and field at her school.

“After knowing and coaching Jenn for the last two seasons, I feel that she would be an asset to any team she plays for,” says High School Coach Jim Davidson. “Due to her work ethic, her potential is huge.”

In the off-season, Jennifer was on the honor roll four years and received a bilingual diploma. She also plays ultimate Frisbee, East Ferris Broomball and referees basketball games.

Jennifer is the daughter of Ted and Evelyn and the sister to David and Mathieu. Jennifer plans to major in health and physical education at Graceland University, located in Lamoni, Iowa.

Graceland University’s Head Coach Laura Pollard announces the signing of Carly Coleman to the Yellowjacket women’s basketball team, beginning in the fall of 2004. Carly is a five-foot-eight-inch guard from Oak Park High School in Kansas City, Mo. Coleman participated in basketball, track and cross country for the Lady Oakies, earning 12 varsity athletic letters and two academic letters.

“I am super excited to have Carly the women’s basketball team,” says Pollard. “Her pure knowledge of the game is one of her strongest points and for a young person, Carly has a high quality of character and leadership abilities that will benefit this Yellowjacket team.”

While playing for high school coach Jeff Eversole, Carly picked up awards such as first team All-Northland, two-time all-conference honorable mention, team most valuable player, team offensive player of the year and two-time Lady Oakie award. She also received the NAIA Champions of Character award and was a member of the 2002 AAU National Invitational Championship team. Outside of basketball, Carly qualified for the sectional track meet all four years of high school and three years ran in the sectional cross country meet.

Academically Carly received the Kansas City Coaches All-Academic First Team and the North Kansas City All-Academic Tournament Team Awards. She is a member of Peer Helpers, JA, Young Life, Bible Study and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Carly is the daughter of Doug and Dixie Coleman and the sister to Connor. Carly plans to major in elementary education at Graceland University, which is an NAIA school in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, located in Lamoni, Iowa.

On Wednesday, Head Coach Laura Pollard announced the signing of Kristin Osborn, from Brashear, Mo., to play basketball for Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2004. Osborn, a five-foot-eight-inch guard from Adair County R-II High School, was a two-time all-state, district and conference for Coach Sara Williams. In both her junior and senior years, “Ozzie” was also the KRES Player of the Week, KRES All-Star, Protech Athlete of the Week, and in 2003 was the Protech Athlete of the Year. Kristin also landed a spot on the North Shelby All-Tournament Team three of her four years as a Tiger.

“I am very excited to have Kristin join the GU basketball program,” says Pollard. “Kristin has a nose for the ball and is an offensive threat!”

Osborn is also a threat on the softball field and track, where she was a first team all region, district and conference shortstop for ACHS and looks to be a four-year state track finalist, if all goes well this year at districts.

Kristin takes care of business outside of sports too, with her activity in FBLA, Art Club, Athletic Boosters, National Honors Society, Student Cadet, Hi-STEP / Smokebusters, Student Council and National Society of Honor Students. She was the HOBY representative in 2002 and is listed on the A honor roll. In the off-season, Osborn participates in marathons, basketball and softball tournaments and BCBC youth group. She is also a former member of 4-H and band.

Kristin is the daughter of Jeff and Lisa Osborn and the sister to Justin and Jared. Kristin is undecided in her field of academic study at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Jodi Butler has signed a letter of intent to play basketball and volleyball for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, beginning in the fall of 2004. Butler, from Marshalltown, Iowa, was a second team all-region player in both basketball and volleyball for Marshalltown Community College this year. In high school, Butler was a second team all-conference basketball player and a first team all-conference volleyball player. Jodi, a six-foot-two-inch athlete, looks to play post for the basketball team and middle or right side hitter on the volleyball team.

“Jodi came highly recommended by Casey Cole, who has played in the Graceland women’s basketball program the past three seasons,” says Laura Pollard, Graceland’s women’s basketball coach. “Jodi’s knowledge of the game, height and junior college experience will greatly contribute to the basketball team.”

“Jodi brings size, experience and intensity to the Graceland court,” says Stew McDole, Graceland’s volleyball coach. “These are exciting tools that should help to drive out program to success. We are looking forward to Jodi establishing a presence with our volleyball team.”

Butler’s experience comes not only from playing but also in the form of coaching an AAU volleyball team and a county league softball team.

Butler is a high achiever in the classroom, too, proven by her membership in National Honors Society and her Outstanding Academic Achievement award at Marshalltown High School and being on the Dean’s List at Marshalltown CC.

Jodi, the daughter of Dan and Vicki Butler, and the sister to Jason and Jenna, has an AA degree from MCC and plans to major in elementary education while at Graceland.