PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University women’s water polo will welcome five incoming freshmen as part of its Class of 2024, Brown head coach Felix Mercado announced on Tuesday, April 7.
All five student-athletes hail from the state of California and represent a variety of positions with one attacker, one utility, one center, one central defender, and one goalkeeper. Four of the five newcomers stand 5-foot-8 or taller and come from several different club programs.
The class includes goalkeeper Shauna Franke (La Jolla, Calif.), attacker Bella Godlis (Santa Barbara, Calif.), central defender Sophie Golub (Woodside, Calif.), center/utility Sierra Martin (San Diego, Calif.), and utility Brenna Pangelinan (Chula Vista, Calif.).
Shauna Franke
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-foot-0
Hometown: La Jolla, Calif.
High School: La Jolla
Club Teams: La Jolla Water Polo Club and Seaside Water Polo Club
Prep Accolades: Earned First Team All-CIF San Diego Section in 2019 and 2020 … Gained spot on Senior All-Star Team … Made 227 saves as a junior and 216 saves as a senior … Earned Team MVP honors in 2019; gained team’s Most Inspirational Award in 2020 … Helped lead team to CIF Open Division Finals in 2017 and CIF Open Division Semifinals in 2019 … Played for coaches Amy Jennings and Greg Horman … Participant in National Team Selection Camp in May 2019 … Competed on the club level for La Jolla Water Polo Club and Seaside Water Polo Club; played on the ODP Pacific Southwest Team in 2018 and 2019 … Also competed in field hockey and swimming … Reached the CIF finals in swimming in the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 4×50 freestyle relay, and medley relay … Earned USA Water Polo and San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic accolades.
Why Brown? “One of the most captivating things about Brown, in my opinion, was the diverse variety of people I interacted with while I was there, and the sense of inclusion I felt despite my brief visit. Every single person I had the chance to speak with had a life story that I found fascinating. I chose Brown so I could participate in a community that enjoys challenges and is driven to succeed.”
Bella Godlis
Position: Attacker
Height: 5-foot-8
Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.
High School: Dos Pueblos
Club Team: Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club
Prep Accolades: Garnered Honorable Mention All-Channel League honors … Earned Dos Pueblos’ Scholar-Athlete of the Year award … Gained team’s Coaches Award … Played for coaches Connor Levoff and Bryan Snyder … Competed on the club level for Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club … Gained the Hugh O’Brian Presidential Service Award.
Why Brown? “I chose Brown because I love to learn so the open curriculum really interested me, and I want to be surrounded by people who love learning and who are passionate about their interests. I also wanted to play on a Division I team, and Brown’s water polo team seems like a really good fit for me.”
Sophie Golub
Position: Central Defender
Height: 5-foot-9
Hometown: Woodside, Calif.
High School: Menlo School
Club Teams: Stanford Water Polo Club, ODP All-Star Team, and ODP Pacific Zone Team
Prep Accolades: Earned First All-CIF Central Coast Section in 2019 … Gained First Team All-PAL in 2018 and 2019 … Selected to the San Mateo Daily Journal Honor Roll of Athletes … Played for coaches Kyle Utsumi, Jessie Cima, Allison Lark, Laura Reynolds, and Claire Howie … Competed on the club level for Stanford Water Polo Club, the ODP All-Star Team, and the ODP Pacific Zone Team … Took part in the National Team Selection Camp in 2019 … Also competed in swimming … National Latin Honor Society student.
Why Brown? “I chose Brown because I believe it is the best place for me to grow as a student, athlete, and human being. I am excited about Brown’s open curriculum because I am a naturally curious person and this structure will give me a chance try all sorts of classes outside my intended major. As an athlete, I am excited to be a part of the Brown water polo program, because from the moment I met Felix Mercado and the women on the team, I could tell that they were my kind of people: supportive and hard-working. I also appreciate how Felix supports his athletes in and out of the pool and treats his team like family. Finally, I chose Brown because I love learning, value different perspectives, and want to be part of a school that is collaborative and passionate about leaving a positive mark on the world.”
Sierra Martin
Position: Center/Utility
Height: 5-foot-10
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
High School: The Bishop’s School
Club Team: San Diego Shores
Prep Accolades: Garnered CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year honors in 2020 … Earned First Team All-CIF SDS as a junior and senior … Gained First Team All-Western League as a junior and senior … Helped team win CIF San Diego Section Open Division in 2017, 2019, and 2020 … Scored 166 career goals, including 64 goals as a senior and 53 goals as a junior … Captained team in 2020 … Played for coaches Doug Peabody and Ian Davidson … Competed on the club level for San Diego Shores … An AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Scholarship Program student … Selected as the captain of the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic Team in 2020.
Why Brown? “It’s a bit cliché, but Brown is honestly my dream school. Thanks to the open curriculum, I have the freedom to pursue all my passions – and maybe even discover some new ones! When I first visited, I immediately felt right at home with both the water polo team and the wider community on campus. It’s great to be in an environment where everyone seems genuinely excited about everything they do.”
Brenna Pangelinan
Position: Utility
Height: 5-foot-4
Hometown: Chula Vista, Calif.
High School: Eastlake
Club Teams: Del Mar Water Polo Club, San Diego Shores Water Polo Club, and Southern Water Polo Club
Prep Accolades: Earned Defensive Player of the Year honors … Gained Freshman Swimmer of the Year accolades … Won team’s leadership award … Played for coaches Adalberto Vasquez, Sarah Lizotte, Edgard Espinosa, and Greg Ormsby … Competed on the club level for Del Mar Water Polo Club, San Diego Shores Water Polo Club, and Southern Water Polo Club … Selected as a San Diego Union-Tribune Scholar-Athlete … Served as a California State Board of Education Student Board Member; earned recognition for her service through Guam Legislature Resolution No. 191-35 from the 35th Guam Legislature.
Why Brown? “I chose Brown for the open curriculum. It is the only place that will allow me to combine my strengths.”
