George Washington University

Aug. 19, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC -George Washington's women's squash head coach Wendy Lawrence has announced six student-athletes will be joining the Colonials for the 2010-11 season. The six newcomers are added to a roster of six established upperclassmen to create one of the deepest ladders in collegiate squash.

Kelly Barnes of Smiths, Bermuda and Kyung Min Kim of Seoul, South Korea are the first international players to join the GW women's squash program. They are joined by the program's first National Letter-of-Intent signee, Jackie Shea. Rounding out the class is Becca Imrich, Maya Nair and Elizabeth Tapley.

Barnes comes to GW after finishing the 2009-10 season as the 31st-ranked player in the National Junior Rankings. She is a member of the Bermuda National Team and was the 2008 Bermudian National Champion in both the Under-19 and Under-17 divisions. Kim finished 2010 undefeated in Independent School League (ISL) matches and trains with the Korea National Squash Team.

The Colonials open the 2010-11 season on October 29th when they play host to district rival Georgetown at 5:00 p.m. at the Lerner Health and Wellness Center.

Kelly Barnes
Smiths, Bermuda/Taft School
2008 Bermudian National Champion in U-19 and U-17 divisions ... was #2 player for the #6 nationally ranked Taft School team ... finished third in the A Division in the New England Interscholastic Squash Association Individual Championships ... member of the Bermuda National Team ... finished 2009-10 season ranked 31st in the National Junior Rankings ... has done volunteer work with Orphan Outreach.

Becca Imrich
Cambridge, MA / Concord Academy
#2 Player on Concord Academy Team ... finished third in the B Division of the New England Interscholastic Squash Association Championships.

Kyung Min Kim
Seoul, South Korea / St. George's School
#7 Player on the competitive St. George's squash team ... finished 2010 undefeated in ISL matches ... in 2008 placed third in the Seoul Squash Championship ... trains with the Korea National Squash Team

Maya Nair
Cleveland Heights, OH / Hathaway Brown School
Younger sister of 2010 Men's Squash MVP Michael Nair ... in 2009 placed sixth at the Chilly Pepper Open ... also was plate winner in the 3.5 division of the Cleveland Open.

Elizabeth Tapley
Cambridge, MA / Phillips Exeter Academy
Finished 2010 ranked 50th in the National Junior rankings ... occupied top ladder spot at Phillips Exeter Academy ... in 2009 was Newton Country Day's Most Valuable Player and a Eastern Independent League All-League Selection ... played in the United States Junior Open.

Jackie Shea
West Hartford, CT / Hall
Finished 2009-10 season ranked 27th in the National Junior Rankings ... highest ranking during season was 12th ... qualified for the closed junior gold tournament ... was 2009 Junior Silver Champion ... 2008 and 2009 US Squash Scholar Athlete ... in 2007 won 3.5 Skill Level National Championship.