Dec. 17, 2004

LOS ALAMITOS, CA - The University of California women's water polo program will be well represented at the 2005 Junior World Championships, Jan. 24-30, in Perth, Australia. Sophomore Elsie Windes has been selected as one of 13 athletes on the United States' roster, while Golden Bear assistant coaches Bernice Orwig and Kim Everist are assistants for USA Junior National Team coach Kyle Utsumi.

Windes, a standout defender from Portland, Ore., was named honorable mention All-American as a freshman in 2004. She is Cal's first true freshman to ever be selected as an honorable mention All-American. Also one of five athletes named to the All-MPSF second-team, Windes scored five goals during the 2004 MPSF Tournament, including a team-high two goals in Cal's 8-4 loss to No. 3 ranked UCLA Apr. 30. She was second on the Bears' scoring list last season with 33 goals and was the team's leading scorer in seven matches. Windes was a member of the 2004 MPSF All-Freshman Team as well.

This past July, Windes helped the United States to a gold medal at the 2004 Junior PanAm Games in San Salvador, El Savador.

A former USC and USA National Team standout, Orwig will be in her second season as an assistant coach for the Bears this spring. She was the starting goalie on the United States Olympic Team that won a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Orwig helped USC to the 1999 National Collegiate title, earning first team All-America honors, and was the recipient of the Peter J. Cutino Award as the nation's top female collegiate water polo player. Everist will also be in her second season as an assistant for Cal this spring. A history teacher at Miramonte High School in Orinda, Everist has several years of coaching experience. Before her duties with United States Junior National Team, she was the head coach of the USWP Pacific Zone Youth Team from 2002-03. Everist was a member of Northeastern's varsity swim team, earning all-conference and academic All-America honors, and was a member of the USA Junior National Women's Water Polo Team in the late 80s.

The complete schedule of the 2005 Junior World Championships has not been determined, but the United States will be in the same bracket as 2008 Olympic host China, and international powerhouses Russia and Hungary.