For Immediate Release: July 28, 2000
Contact: Derek Smolik, UT Pan American SID

UT Pan American Tennis Announces Signing of British Columbia Native Alana Breen

EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American Women’s Tennis Program announced on Friday the signing of Whistler, British Columbia, native Alana Breen to a national letter of intent for the 2000-01 academic year.

Breen was a multi-sport standout for Whistler Secondary School, participating in tennis, skiing, snowboarding, volleyball and cross-country.  She was ranked fourth in British Columbia in singles.  As a junior she was named WSS outstanding female athlete.  An outstanding skier, Breen competed in provincial, national and international competitions in Downhill Skiing as a junior.

“Alana will be a welcome addition to next year’s recruiting class,” said UTPA Head Coach Scott Howard.  “Despite her late start in tennis, Breen will be expected to play a major role in our team’s future.  Her outstanding work ethic and athleticism will enable her to become a good Division I tennis player.  She has the benefit of having two coaches who were former world ranked players.”

Also concerned about her performance off the court, as well as on, Breen was an honor roll student all four of her years at WSS.  She earned the Whistler Community Award and was an active member of the Youth Action Team, which focused on stopping violence throughout the community, particularly in high schools.

When asked why she chose UTPA Breen said, “I love the beautiful weather, the awesome student-teacher ratio and Coach Howard’s positive encouraging attitude towards student-athletes.”

Breen is the fourth recruit for the women’s tennis program to sign this spring.  The women’s team has already signed three other players, Franklin, Texas, native Eve Nickelson, Los Alamos, New Mexico, native Julie Fife and Jessica Brown, Sioux City, Iowa.  The men’s team has signed five players, Edinburg native Eric Propst, United Kingdom native Matt Gower, Weslaco native Brandon Meiners, Clarendon, Texas, native Kareem Abdullah and Houston native Alex Cequea.