Women's Basketball Program Signs Three Recruits

Channell Rose, Julie Whetten and Maria Goldsmith have signed letters of intent to play for BYU's women's basketball program, beginning the 2000-01 season.

Rose, a 6-0 sophomore forward, from Orem, Utah, joins the team after one year at UVSC. In her first college season, she averaged 10 points a game, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 rebounds and was named to the All Tournament Team in the SWAC. Her high school accomplishments at Provo H.S. included being a a three-time All-Region selection in basketball, an All-State selection three years in a row, and was recognized as one of Frank Layden's Terrific Twelve. She also lettered in volleyball, softball and track and she's the daughter of Dave Rose, a BYU assistant coach on the men's basketball team.

Whetten comes to BYU from Silver City, New Mexico where she was the 1999-00 USA Today Player of the Year in New Mexico. The 5-8 guard at Silver City H.S., finished her high school career averaging 30 points a game, 9.2 rebounds and 6.0. She's been an all-conference team honoree since the eight grade. During her senior year, she was named all-conference and all-state. She's also a two-time New Mexico Dream Team Best Five Players honoree.

A 5-9 junior guard from New Zealand, rounds out the three signees for the BYU women. Maria Goldsmith is a JC transfer from Casper College, in Casper, Wyoming where she was a two-time All Region, all-conference team player. Goldsmith was the 1999-00 WCCAC Conference Player of the Year and the NJCAA, Region IX Player of the Year. Her sophomore year, she averaged 15.1 points, 3.58 assists and 2.58 steals a game.

"We're excited to have these outstanding players join our program," said Trent Shippen, BYU head coach. "We will add a lot of depth to our guard area, after losing four players to graduation. These student-athletes are strong, competitive individuals who also bring great academic credentials as well," added Shippen.

Freshman redshirt Heather Chessman, from Orem, Utah an Kaly Gillette, a senior transfer from San Diego State will also be on next season's BYU roster.