June 1, 2005

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - A pair of incoming Wake Forest men's soccer recruits, Jamie Franks and Marcus Tracy, were each recently named 2005 PARADE All-Americans. The Demon Deacons were one of five schools to have multiple selections, along with Indiana, Duke, Maryland and UCLA.

"I am extremely excited about this recruiting class," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "These players are truly winners both on and off the field. They bring an outstanding level of individual talent as well as a wealth of experience. Together, they have already won a staggering number of games and championships in their careers. Bobby Muuss has brought in a great class to help ensure the future success of the program."

Franks, a midfielder from Medford, N.J., was the New Jersey High School Player of the Year. He was named a 2004 NSCAA/adidas High School All-American and was a two-time NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American. Franks is a member of the United States U-18 National Team and a three-time first team All-New Jersey selection. He scored 72 goals and added 56 assists over his stellar four-year scholastic career, helping the Shawnee to a 99-4-3 record. Franks led Shawnee to a pair of New Jersey State Championships in 2001 and 2003.

"Jamie is a great soccer player," Vidovich said. "He reads the game so well, he can initiate the counter for us, he's very skilled. As he adapts to the physical aspects of college soccer he'll be a great quarterback type player for our team."

Tracy, a forward from Snadyhook, Connecticut, was a NSCAA/adidas All-American and a first team All-American by StudentSportsSoccer.com. He earned 2004 Connecticut Player of the Year honors and finished as the high school's all-time leading scorer with 100 career goals. Tracy led the entire state in goals during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

"He's an attacking player with unbelievable potential," Vidovich said. "We're very excited for the opportunity to work with him, he can have a great future here at Wake Forest if he can adapt to the demands of playing the game in the ACC."

Including Franks and Tracy, Wake Forest has signed nine PARADE All-Americans over the past three years.

The Deacs captured the 2004 ACC Regular Season Championship and earned the top seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. Wake Forest has added 11 members to the squad in 2005, and will play one of the toughest schedules in school history.