NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion head field hockey coach Andrew Griffiths announced the signing of eight new student-athletes to the Lady Monarchs’ squad for the 2017 season. The newcomers will be released two at a time, beginning with Emilie Wanko (West Pittston, Pa./Wyoming Area) and Camilla MacGillivray (Calgary, Canada/Bishop Carroll).
“This class is a high quality group and will bring athletic potential into the team, as well as a desire to be a part of the growth of our program," Griffiths said. "In each of these athletes, we saw a belief and a positive outlook on what they wanted to achieve, and they are prepared for a challenge at the next level of competition. Our team has been building in an excellent direction this spring, and I’m excited to welcome this incoming class, to help make us even stronger for the coming season.”
Wanko, an incoming freshman from Wyoming Area High School in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, projects as a forward or midfielder for the Lady Monarchs. A four-time Wyoming Valley Conference Coaches’ All-Star first team selection, Wanko’s extensive list of accolades also includes first team All-State recognition in 2015 and second team All-State honors during her senior campaign in the fall of 2016. She also ranked within the top five in the nation for assists during both her junior and senior seasons while racking up a school record 70 assists throughout her decorated career.
"Emilie is a versatile player with good awareness of the game," Griffiths commented. "She has the vision to play in the midfield and also loves to shoot on goal when she gets into the circle. She has a quick release and can shoot effectively on both forehand and backhand. She is also a hard-working athlete, who is going to play team hockey and help make the players around her better."
Off the field, Wanko was an honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society. She intends to study exercise science at Old Dominion.
“I chose Old Dominion because of the wonderful coaching staff, the atmosphere of the team and the academic success of the university,” Wanko mentioned.
MacGillivray, another incoming freshman from Calgary who played her prep field hockey at Bishop Carroll High School, will play goalkeeper for the Lady Monarchs. A member of the Canadian Junior National Team, MacGillivray was named her school’s Female Athlete of the Year for three consecutive seasons from 2013-2015.
"Camilla has an excellent temperament for a goalkeeper, which helps her to be effective on the field," Griffiths added. "Her natural instincts with space and positioning are outstanding, and her movement is fluid, so she often makes difficult saves look easy. She has been called up to train with the Canadian National Junior and Senior teams - and I think she will benefit from Amy Swensen’s direction, and really develop as an elite goalkeeper."
Excelling off the field as well, MacGillivray was an honor roll student and recipient of the Junior Achievement Business Award. She plans to study marine biology at ODU.
“I looked at Old Dominion initially because of its field hockey team,” MacGillivray said. “Then I visited and met the coaches and players, and I knew it was where I belonged. I am also honored to be coached by Amy because she is an awesome goalie."
Stay tuned to ODUSports.com for the announcement of two more future Lady Monarchs next week.