Nov. 20, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland water polo coach Carl Salyer announced Tuesday the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Terrapins in Fall 2008.

The group includes Callan Rowe of Carlisle, Pa.; Alexandra Gurnee of Newport Beach, Calif.; Elina Goldenberg of Sunrise, Fla.; and goalkeeper Shelby Reyes of Miami, Fla.

Salyer said these players will be able to contribute quickly to the improving Maryland program.

"We have added a very talented and athletic group that is expected to contribute to the program right away," said Salyer, who will be in his fourth season as the Terps' head coach in Spring 2008. "Shelby will help shore up our goal situation and help anchor our defense. Alex adds an outstanding scoring ability that will stretch the opposing teams' defense.

"Callan and Elina will pressure opposing teams with their abilities to score from outside, inside and post-up positions. They will add speed and depth to our fast-break. These student-athletes have proved themselves in the pool and classroom, and we expect them to help our program continue to improve into the future."

Thumbnail sketches of each of Maryland's water polo recruits for Fall 2008 follow:

CALLAN ROWE (Carlisle, Pa.; Cumberland Valley HS; Navy Aquatic Club)
First team NISCA All-American in water polo... First team all-state pick as junior and senior... Third team all-state as sophomore after earning PIAA state Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman... Team captain and MVP at Cumberland Valley HS, which won Pennsylvania state high school championship in 2007, was third in 2006 and 2004 and seventh in 2005... Lettered four seasons in water polo and three thus far in swimming... Member of USWP Northeast Youth Zone team.. Attended USWP National Youth Selection Camp three times... Qualified for PIAA state swimming championships in 200 medley relay... District qualifier in swimminig as sophomore and junior.

Salyer on Rowe: "Callan will add a lot of energy and offense to our team. We expect her to be a major part of our fast break and she has a great ability to score goals. Callan is a player who can put pressure on the opponent at both the offensive and defensive ends of the pool."

ALEXANDRA GURNEE (Newport Beach, Calif.; Mater Dei HS; South Irvine Water Polo Club))
Co-captain at Mater Dei for the 2007-08 season... First team All-Trinity League as a junior after leading the league with 77 goals... Team MVP as a junior... Earned Most Improved Player honor after her sophomore year... Led high school team in steals as a junior.

Salyer on Gurnee: "Alex will add a strong outside scoring punch to the team. Her ability to shoot from the outside will benefit our front-court offense as well as our power plays. Alex has a very hard shot that is also very accurate.

ELINA GOLDENBERG (Sunrise, Fla.; St. Thomas Aquinas HS; Navy Aquatic Club and South Florida Water Polo Club))
First team All-American in water polo as freshman, sophomore and junior... Three-time Player of the Year in Broward County (Fla.) by both the Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald... First-time all-county selection in all three seasons... Captain of the St. Thomas Aquinas water polo team for all four seasons... Also captained swimming team for two seasons... Junior Olympic All-American in 2005... Earned Maureen O'Toole Award at 2002 Speedo Cup event... Member of National Honor Society and Principal's Honor Roll for four years.

Salyer on Goldenberg: "Elina has the ability to play the sport of water polo at a very high level and is expected to be a major contributor on the team as a freshman. She makes her teammates better as well and can make game-defining individual plays when needed."

SHELBY REYES (Miami, Fla.; Gulliver Prep School; Florida Coast Water Polo Club))
Third team All-American in water polo... First team All-Miami Dade selection in 2007... Honorable mention pick in 2006... Member of Florida State champion team at Gulliver Prep in 2005, 2006 and 2007, with all three teams going undefeated... Record-holder for saves in the Florida State tournament... Gulliver Prep's most valuable defensive player in 2007... Southeast Zone Water Polo Youth Team goalkeeper for four years... Earned Best Goalie Award at Annual Miami Holiday Water Polo Camp... USA Water Polo All-American Outstanding Achiever honoree for academics... National Hispanic Merit Scholar Nominee... Alto section leader for Gulliver Prep Chorus... Has performed at Carnegie Hall... Earned top ratings at district and state vocal solo competitions.

Salyer on Reyes: "Shelby will come in and immediately compete for playing time in the goal. Her experience and skill-set is a great addition to the team and will help solidify our goal situation for many years to come. Shelby comes from a winning tradition at Gulliver Prep and we look for her to continue her winning ways with the Terps."