2005-06 Recruits

07-19-05 Raytown Grad Added to Graceland Women’s Soccer Team

Amanda Precht, from Kansas City, Mo., plans to play soccer at Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2005.

Precht played defense for Raytown High School, where she was a two-time second team all-district player. She was on the second team all-conference once, along with two honorable mention all-conference nods.

“We welcome Amanda to the Graceland soccer community,” according to Coach Kevin Sherry. “Amanda is an athletic and strong defender who has had an outstanding high school career in Raytown, Mo. Amanda is very determined and is focused on fighting her way into the varsity starting line up as soon as possible. This kind of determination and dedication to succeed fits in very well with the philosophy of the Yellowjacket soccer program.”

Amanda is on the Raytown High yearbook staff and a member of student council. She is an assistant coach for the U-10 soccer team and a member of her church youth group.

Amanda is the daughter of Kent and Cheri and the sister to Brad and Kelsie.

06-17-05 Freshman Sweeper Signs With Graceland Soccer

Keri Anne Stoetzer, a freshman sweeper from Kansas City, Mo., has signed a letter of intent to play for Coach Kevin Sherry and the Graceland University women’s soccer team.

“We welcome Keri to the Graceland soccer program,” says Coach Sherry. “We are excited about seeing her play and are confident she will make a positive contribution to the program and university as a whole.”

Stoetzer was a four-year letter winner in soccer for Center Senior High School in Missouri. Stoetzer also lettered two years in volleyball and one year in basketball for the CHS Yellowjackets. Keri Anne has been listed on the honor roll and is a member of SGA, drama club, political science club and Young Life.

Keri Anne is the daughter of Mark and Cathy and the sister to Ryan, Haley and Dylan. Upon arrival in Lamoni, Iowa, Keri Anne plans to enroll in Graceland’s nursing program.

05-25-05 Sherry Signs Midfielder from Ontario

Coach Kevin Sherry has signed Colleen DeMartini, a midfielder from Palgrave, Ontario, to play for the 2005 Graceland University women’s soccer team. “We are pleased to have Colleen join our program for fall 2005,” says Graceland Coach Kevin Sherry. “The soccer ladies here were very impressed with Colleen as a player and as a person during her recent visit. Colleen joined in with our soccer clinic we put on for the young girls in the area, showing the kind of personality that we appreciate. Colleen is approachable, hard-working and is a giver rather than a taker. We built our team on these principles and we are very happy to welcome Colleen into our program.” DeMartini plays for the Richmond Hill Soccer Club and OYSL soccer. In 2002 DeMartini was a semi-finalist in the OYSL Ontario Cup and was a finalist for the Henderson Tournament in 2003. DeMartini was the League Cup Champions for the CGSL Premier in 2003 and 2004, and won the open women’s indoor league championship in 2003 and 2005. In 2004 DeMartini won the OntarioU-21 Futsal Championship.

“Colleen has stated that she wants to become the best soccer player she can become and I believe she has come to the right place for her to achieve that goal,” continues Sherry. “She will get the opportunity to really develop her game at Graceland and I am very confident we will see great things from Colleen in the future. Colleen has good balance and coordination together with good basic technical ability which will give her a good foundation on which to build upon. Colleen has played in many positions at high school and I see this trend happening at Graceland too, until we find the position on the field which we feel suits her and the team best.”

DeMartini is from Humberview Secondary School in Bolton, Ontario. She played soccer, volleyball, basketball, field hockey and was on the nordic and alpine skiing teams for the Huskies. Colleen won the Highest Academic Achievement Award in Physical Education and received a certificate for outstanding contribution in athletics.

DeMartini is also a member of the Bolton and Twisters gymnastics clubs, where she has received provincial silver and bronze medals and regional gymnastics gold and silver medals.

Colleen is the daughter of Peter and Lauren and the sister to Ashley. Colleen plans to major in criminal justice at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

05-12-05 Kristina Cook Added to Yellowjacket Women’s Soccer Team

Coach Kevin Sherry has added Kristina Cook, from Beeton, Ontario, Canada, to the 2005 Graceland University women’s soccer team.

“Tina showed on her recent visit that she is a soccer player of the highest quality and I am confident she will be a major force in our midfield next season,” says Coach Sherry. “Tina reads the game as well as anyone and has the physical tools necessary to play at the college level. The one aspect of Tina’s game I am most impressed with is her movement and simplicity of passing. Tina always seems to be in the right place at the right time to receive a pass and she quickly moves the ball on with the simplest of passes to maintain possession. Playing more of a possession style is a goal of the team for next year and Tina will be a major factor in us achieving that goal. Tina is a hard working individual, with integrity and a determination to succeed. Tina puts the team first, has a wonderful personality and made a very good impression on the team during her visit.”

Cook is currently playing for the Pickering Predators Academy Team, and is attending the “Got Speed” speed training program. During the 2004 outdoor season, Cook and the Alliston United placed second in the CGSL, Division I and were the champions of the Barrie Indoor Soccer League for the indoor 2003 season.

After the outdoor 2003 season, Tina received the most dedicated player award following the CGSL, Division II championship 15-0 season with Alliston United. She traveled with the BRYST Soccer Tour to Manchester, England, and attended the BRYST Top Dogs Academy and Elite Soccer Training Academy. Tina participated in the North Carolina/Florida Soccer Tour, attended the Advanced Sports Academy and played indoor soccer at “The Hanger” in Toronto, Ontario.

Cook was the athlete of the year at Banting Memorial High School in Alliston, Ontario, and was the captain of both her soccer and basketball teams. She is an honor roll student and received the Steven Lund Memorial Award, the Karen Mulder Award and is an Ontario Scholar. Cook was the Athletic Society President in 2003-04 and the most valuable player for the Marauder basketball team.

“Tina is an outstanding soccer player and student,” according to Sherry. “Tina will be entering Graceland University with a 4.0 GPA and studying in the honors program.”

Tina is the daughter of Ken and Louise and the sister to Philip. Tina plans to enroll in the athletic training program at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

“The team is coming off an undefeated season, winning the HAAC conference championship and reaching the Final Four of the NAIA National Championships,” adds Sherry. “We have a great core of players here already and joining the program in the fall will be eight top recruits, including Tina. They way we are playing and the confidence in the squad is fantastic. I know the squad is growing and that's good for the future. I am very excited about the upcoming season and seeing Tina Cook in our midfield.”

04-27-05 Brooner Signs With Graceland Women’s Soccer

Megan Brooner, a defender from St. Joseph, Mo., has signed a letter of intent to play women’s soccer at Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2005. “We are very pleased to announce the signing of Megan Brooner to our varsity squad for fall 2005, according to Coach Kevin Sherry. “Anyone who has seen Megan play will tell you immediately that she is a great athlete. She has speed, strength and is not afraid of the physical challenge. Megan will step straight into the back line and will give us that added athleticism that every great team needs.” Brooner is a four-sport athlete at Central High School participating on the soccer, basketball, volleyball and track teams. Megan is an all-district, all-city and all-conference soccer player for the Indians. In track, Megan was a state qualifier and is an all-district, all-city and all-conference sprinter. As an outside hitter, Brooner received the best hustle award for the volleyball team.

“Megan has been a stand out soccer player and athlete for St. Joseph Central, and we can’t wait to start teaching her about the nuances of college soccer,” according to Coach Sherry. “Megan has great potential and I am very confident that we will see this potential fulfilled at Graceland University.”

Brooner is on her school senate, is a camp counselor and is a member of the Community of Christ church.

Megan is the daughter of Kent and Deb and is the sister to Kane and Kole. At Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, Megan plans to enroll in the pre-dental academic program.

04-26-05 Graceland Women’s Soccer Signs High School Player from Michigan

Trisha Brondyke, from Holland, Mich., has signed a letter of intent to play soccer for the Graceland University Yellowjackets in the fall of 2005. “We are very pleased to announce the signing of Trisha Brondyke to our squad for 2005,” says Graceland Coach Kevin Sherry. “Trisha has been a stand out player for the West Michigan Fire Juniors, playing as a defensive midfielder under the tutelage of Ian McMahon. Trish reads the game astonishingly well for such a young player and is a testament to Ian McMahon's coaching.”

Brondyke currently is in her senior season as a defensive midfielder for West Ottawa High School. Prior to her senior season, Trish was a three-year varsity starter for the Panthers who have been district champions once and are two-time conference champions. Trish is an all-conference player and was named athlete of the week last season. Trish is a three-time academic all-state student-athlete and is on the honor roll.

“I am delighted for Trisha that she has chosen to attend Graceland University; it will be a fantastic experience for her,” says Ian McMahon, Technical Director West Michigan Fire Juniors. “I know that this will be another step in her development as a player. She will learn a great deal from Coach Kevin Sherry, who has already shown that he has the skills and capabilities to make Graceland one of the very best programs in the country. Trisha will hopefully be the first of many West Michigan Fire Juniors to represent the college.

Trish is the captain of the West Michigan Fire Jrs., and has played for the U-23 West Michigan Edge league team. She is also a People to People sports ambassador, a U-11 girls soccer coach and volunteers at numerous soccer camps and clinics.

“Trisha is a successful student, shows leadership on and off the field, is respectful to others, shows great integrity and loves the game of soccer,” continues Sherry. “Trisha is exactly the type of player who will flourish in our soccer environment.”

Trisha is the daughter of Dave and Sue and the sister to Ashleigh. Trish plans to study education and coaching at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

“Trisha has all the ingredients to be a top level college player and it is very exciting to have Trisha join, what already is, a very successful program,” says Coach Sherry. “Trisha is part of, what I believe, to be the strongest recruiting class in Graceland women's soccer history. The 2005 team has all the potential to prove that the 'Final Four' appearance at last years national championships was not a 'one hit wonder' and Trisha will play a major role in this teams development.”

03-11-05 April Due To Be A Yellowjacket

Kapolei High School senior April Due has signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, beginning in the fall of 2005. April “Keep” Due is a five-foot-six-inch goal keeper from Kapolei, Hawaii. In 2003, Due was an honorable mention all-conference player and was the most valuable player for the preseason all-state tournament. She was also selected as a second team Hawaii All-Star goal keeper. While playing for the Blue Angels Premiere Soccer Club, the team took second place in both the Gates Invitational Tournament in Rochester, N.Y., and in the Guilford Soccer Festival in Guilford, Conn. April and another club team, the Twister Sisters ISA, placed second in the New Jersey Tournament. In 2003 Due was the starting goalie for the Kolohe Team – Naopio Soccer Club that won the Big Island Tournament.

“April is an outstanding prospect who impressed everyone she came into contact with during her recent visit to Graceland University with her father Rodney,” says Graceland Coach Kevin Sherry. “April has tremendous potential as a goalkeeper and I am very confident that she will evolve into one of the best goalkeepers in the NAIA on a national scale under the tutelage of Fred Wagenaar, our goalkeeper coach. Fred was impressed with April’s work ethic and her athletic ability during the try out. April is a state judo champion and has an amazing vertical jump which gives her a tremendous foundation on which to build her keeper skills.”

Due is a varsity letterman and starter for her Kapolei Hurricanes’ soccer, judo, volleyball, track and water polo teams. Due is the defending Hawaii state judo champion, placed fourth at junior nationals and participated in international competition with Switzerland, Canada and Japan. She is also a state qualifier in the 100 meter dash and 4x100 meter relay. April’s 3.3 GPA places her on the honor roll and Principal’s list at Kapolei High. Due is a member of the Hope Chapel Kapolei bible study group.

“April is a warm, social and big hearted character who will be a very positive influence within the program and the university as a whole,” continues Sherry. “We are very excited about this years recruiting class and April is a major player in this group.”

April is the daughter of Rodney and Jeweli and the sister to Michael Rae and Angela. April plans to study biology at Graceland.

03-04-05 Garchar Added to Yellowjacket Women’s Soccer

Coach Kevin Sherry has added Bethany Garchar from Concord, Calif. to the 2005 Yellowjacket women’s soccer team. Garchar, a five-foot-two-inch striker, scored 11 goals and five assists in 24 games her senior year at Clayton Valley High School. As a junior, Garchar was an honorable mention All-BVAL player and her team was second in the BVAL and qualified for NCS. As a sophomore Garchar scored nine goals and seven assists and in her first year, Garchar was the freshman team captain and most valuable player. “I am excited to have Bethany here at Graceland,” said Coach Kevin Sherry. “One of our problems last year was our ability to score goals, so by recruiting Bethany and the early signing of Jacquelyn Trickey, I hope to have solved our goal scoring dilemma.”

02-08-05 Trickey Signs with Graceland Soccer

Coach Kevin Sherry has added junior college transfer Jacquelyn Trickey to his 2005-06 women’s soccer roster at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Trickey, a five-foot-seven-inch forward and wing for Dixie State College last year, was the conference player of the week and named to the national all-tournament team. Jac was on the soccer, basketball and track and field teams at St. Johns High School in Arizona, where she was a first team all-region performer for three years and received offensive player and most feared awards. She was on an all-tournament team and played in the all-star soccer game. Trickey played on two final four basketball teams for the Redskins, and was first team all-region twice. In track, she won the state meet in the 100 and 200 her sophomore year and took state in four events, including 100 meter, 200 meter, 4x100 relay and the long jump, her senior year.

Trickey was a principal’s and A honor roll student and was the athlete of the year her last three years of high school.

Jacquelyn is the daughter of Ethan and Lisa, and has five siblings.