head women’s basketball coach Dan Kriley has announced that Frannie Hemmelgarn, a three-sport star at in , has signed a National Letter of Intent to come to the university and join the women’s basketball program beginning in the 2009-10 academic year.
Hemmelgarn, a 5’11” wing player, averaged 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game this past season. A two-year team captain, she was named first team All-League as well as most inspirational by her team two consecutive years. After helping her team reach the state tournament in her freshman year, Hemmelgarn was part of a district championship during her sophomore season.
In addition to basketball, Hemmelgarn was also a top performer in soccer and lacrosse. She helped the Roosevelt High varsity lacrosse team win the Varsity B state championship in 2006, earning Player of the Year accolades along the way. She has also been noticed for her soccer-playing ability by the Seattle Times, earning honorable mention All-League recognition each of the last two seasons.
“At her size, Frannie is by far the most versatile high school basketball player in the city of . She is a fierce competitor and a proven winner. SeattleU women’s basketball immediately improves by adding Frannie to our roster this season,” Kriley said.
Hemmelgarn joins a program coming off a 20-9 season, the team’s first 20-win campaign in 16 years. The women’s basketball team posted its first-ever perfect home record at 10-0, including victories over , , and Cal State Bakersfield, to go along with road wins at , , and UC Davis.
The women’s basketball team will play a full Division I schedule in 2009-10 as the athletic department enters Year Two of the reclassification process in moving to Division I status.