5/14/2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Georgetown University senior defender Michi Ellers (Swarthmore, Pa./ Strath Haven) has been named one of five Finalists for the Tewaaraton Trophy, the preeminent lacrosse award honoring the top collegiate lacrosse player in the nation.

Ellers, a 2003 First Team All-American and two-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, is Georgetown's career leader in ground balls (208) and caused turnovers (196). She has led the nation in caused turnovers in each of the past two seasons, with 3.29 per game and 56 overall in 2003, and 3.87 per game and 58 overall in 2004. She earned a record five BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors this season.

Ellers joins attacker Amy Appelt of Virginia and midfielders Kelly Coppedge of Maryland, Gail Decker of James Madison and Theresa Sherry of Princeton in the list of Finalists. The five athletes were chosen by the eight-member selection committee from an earlier list of 20 nominees. The winner will be announced in a ceremony on June 3, 2004, at The National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

If Ellers is selected, she will be the second Georgetown women's lacrosse player to receive the honor, and the latest since Erin Elbe won the award in 2002. Georgetown has produced five national players of the year in the program's history, but just one Tewaaraton winner since the award was established in 2000.