July 31, 2007
JARED AUER, a 2007 Genoa Local High School graduate, plans to battle for a goalkeeping spot which is currently up for grabs. His accomplishments in high school include earning a varsity letter for four years at Genoa and serving as captain his senior year. Jared started 77 out of 79 games in his high school career, collecting 34 shutouts along the way. He blanked 10 opponents in 2004 and 2006 while climbing to 10th place in Ohio for most shutouts as a goalkeeper. Jared received all-league honorable mention in 2003, 2004, and 2005 and first team all-league in 2006. In his freshman year, Jared was named Genoa's Rookie of the Year and in his junior year he helped his team to district championship status and regional runner-up (losing in a shootout). Jared's senior soccer season produced Genoa's Coaches Award, and honorable mention all-district as an individual, while the team finished as district runner-up. Aside from soccer, Jared expects to complete his fourth track season as a varsity member while serving as team captain in 2006 and 2007. He placed 6th in the district for shot-put in 2006 and was the Ottawa County champion in shot-put in 2006 while earning second team all-league his junior year (2006). Rounding out his athletic accomplishments, Jared kicked for the football team his senior year, earning a letter at Genoa. Academically, Jared was an Honor Roll student all four years in high school as well as maintaining perfect attendance into his senior year. Among many of his other interests are music, in which he participated in Genoa's high school musical in 2006 and 2007 and the OMEA Solo/Ensemble Competition in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
NICK EVANS, a 2007 graduate of Elida High School, is expected to contribute immediately to the Bluffton University men's squad. His versatility will allow him to fill several holes left by graduation or injury and add much needed depth to the roster. Says Bluffton's head soccer coach Steve Smucker, "Nick will bring a good deal of athleticism to our squad this fall. Staying healthy and adapting to our style of play will be key elements for Nick. If he can do both of these, he will be an extremely valuable contributor for us." He maintains membership at Salem Mennonite Church in Elida.
BRIAN GOOD, another 2007 Elida High School graduate, showed his promise already as a freshman when he helped the Elida freshmen team to an undefeated 16-0 season. Brian has twice been honored with school defensive awards and once as MVP. Along the way he has established a new school shutout record with 12 and the record for the fewest goals allowed with nine. Brian was named to the second team all-district soccer team in his senior year in addition to earning letters in baseball at Elida. Academically, Brian has been an Honor Roll I student all four years and served as National Honor Society treasurer while maintaining perfect attendance for 13 straight years. Activities outside of school include serving as vice-president of the FFA and volunteering with the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the Soup Kitchen. Brian continues to be involved in his church youth group at Pike Mennonite Church.
JACOB GRAHAM, a third 2007 Elida graduate, maintained a 3.2 GPA while keeping a perfect attendance record since the fifth grade. Bluffton men's head soccer coach Steve Smucker states, "We'll be looking to use Jacob to strengthen our attacking presence on the field. I'm also truly excited about Jacob's ability off the field in the classroom. He's going to be a valuable asset to this team." Athletically, Jacob has been honored as a member of the first ever Service Master Classic Shootout first team. In 2006 he was honored as Elida's midfield MVP and was second in goals scored. In addition to school honors, Jacob received All-District II honorable mention team and All-WBL special mention honors.
JASON HUDSON , from Troy (Ohio) High School, has earned individual athletic honors in the form of the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) 2006 Academic Excellence Award, Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) 2006 Scholar Athlete Award, and Kettering Sports Medicine Center and Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (MVSSCA) 2006 Sportsmanship Award. Jason helped his Troy H.S. team win the GWOC West Division and a Division I district runner-up in his senior year. Participating on a club team with the Warrior Soccer Club, he also shared in capturing the championship of the 2006 West Carrollton Soccer Blast Tournament. Academically, Jason has been named to the Principal's List at Troy all four years in high school, denoting a GPA of 3.75 or better while being a member of the National Honor Society. Additional activities for Jason include involvement with his church youth group, Key Club, French Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
ANDREW JOHNSON, hailing from Parkersburg, West Virginia, and a 2007 Parkersburg High School graduate, helped his team earn a West Virginia State runner-up in 2004 and proceeded to capture the West Virginia state championship his junior and senior years as a key defensive stalwart. Johnson's coaches frequently called upon him to eliminate the greatest offensive threat presented from the opposition. In addition to soccer, Andrew participates in track, was a member of Thespian Troupe 264 and played a major role in "The End of Civilization as We Know It", and in 2005 participated in the West Virginia State Thespian Festival. A member of Stephenson United Methodist Church, Andrew has also assisted in McKinley Elementary School's fifth grade classroom and volunteered as a coach in the West Center Recreational Soccer Club.
PETER KIDWELL , a 2007 graduate of Ephrata (PA) High School, brings a wealth of competitiveness and workman-like effort following knee injuries that prematurely ended his high school career. We are looking forward to working with Peter to restore his soccer skills. He comes from a solid high school program and may become a valuable player to us once his athleticism returns," says Steve Smucker, Bluffton University's head soccer coach. His recovery experience allows him the versatility and thankfulness to play most anywhere outside of goalkeeping. Peter remains active in his home church of Akron (PA) Mennonite.
TANNER OLTERMAN, a versatile player from Preble Shawnee High School in Camden, Ohio, brings a very athletic presence to the field and will likely utilize his skills in the midfield or attacking end. Tanner contributed to his high school varsity soccer team his last two years at Preble Shawnee, earning honorable mention SouthWest Buckeye League and Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association's (MVSSCA) Sportsmanship Award and Preble County honorable mention in his junior season. Following his senior year, Tanner earned Shawnee's Arrow Award, was named to SWBL's second team, MVSSCA All-Miami Valley second seam, and the All-Preble County first team while serving as a team captain. At the culmination of his last season, he was honored by participating in the Senior All-Star Game and received the Principal's Scholar Athlete Award. Soccer participation outside of high school included serving as captain of his club team, the Preble County Cyclones. In other athletic endeavors, Tanner played tennis for his high school team, earning Most Valuable Player on his team and honorable mention in the SWBL in his junior year. Academically, Tanner has maintained high marks in the classroom, achieving Honor Roll status and participating with FFA and the yearbook staff. Head Bluffton men's soccer coach Steve Smucker shares, "I'm excited about Tanner. His first touch is very good. He also combines well with others while attacking. We believe that he will be a valuable asset to our midfield." Tanner's first step is deceptive and quick which allows him plenty of time to find teammates with accurate passes and supporting play. He will join his older brother Brandon, a senior, who is also a member of the Bluffton University soccer team.
NOLAN PHELPS, from Monroe (AKA Lemon-Monroe) High School in Monroe, Ohio, and standout defender on a team that went 17-1-1 in his senior year, has committed to play soccer for Bluffton University. Nolan started playing high school soccer his sophomore year and immediately earned a starting position, which he never relinquished. He was named as team captain his junior and senior years. In his junior season, Nolan was named as Monroe's Hornet Award (MVP) winner, Mid Miami League (MML) first team, All-Miami Valley second team, and All-Cincinnati Soccer Team honorable mention. His senior season brought a new league and new honors, including: Monroe's Coaches Award, All-Southwestern Buckeye League (SWBL) first team, and All-Miami Valley second team. Soccer involvement outside of school found Nolan participating on the Ohio Elite U17 men's team as a starting midfielder which earned the team a #2 state ranking and #50 nationally. Nolan's Ohio Elite team finished as a state semi-finalist in 2006. Academically, he has achieved Honor Roll all four years in high school.
ROBBIE POMFREY, a fourth goalkeeper from Northwest High School in Cincinnati, brings a wealth of athleticism to his position between the posts. Robbie is a two-year varsity letter winner for the Knights as they sported a 14-2-2 record his junior year while winning the Fort Ancient Valley Conference (Cardinal Division). During the 2005 campaign, Robbie combined with another goalkeeper to establish a new shut-out standard for a season with eight. In his senior year, he led the team to a 9-4-4 record, while tying the school record (from the prior year) with eight shut-outs and setting a new mark for career shut-outs with sixteen. Robbie received second team All-FAVC Scarlet Division honors. As a goalkeeper he adds great reflexes and quickness off the line to a deep incoming goalkeeper class. In addition to soccer, he also participated in baseball and football (punter), playing varsity his senior seasons. Academically, Robbie maintained perfect attendance from third grade until his junior year when surgery broke his string. He has achieved Honor Roll status each semester of his high school career.
DILLAN SHUMAKER, from Shawnee High School in Springfield, Ohio, lettered on his high school varsity team for three years, earning recognition as all-conference in his senior year. Dillan scored five goals in his senior year and cites scoring the "golden goal" game-winner in overtime of the first round of the OHSAA state tournament as a personal highlight. Soccer activities outside of high school involvement include playing for the Springfield Sting and twice winning the MVYSA U13 regular season and tournament championships. Dillan also participated in a touring team (Sports Tours, Team USA) that competed as a U15 squad in the Harlem Cup in Amsterdam, Holland. Also in a U15 capacity, he helped earn a regular season championship in MVYSA with Dayton United. Academically, Dillan earned Honor Roll status all four years in high school while serving two years on Student Council. Additionally, he was a member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for four years and was a two-time CBC Scholar Athlete Award winner. Finally, Dillan remains active in his church and has participated in church missions including trips to Columbus and Tennessee.
MATTHEW STETLER, a 2006 graduate of Celina High School and transfer from the University of Toledo, was a two-time letter winner in soccer and three-time letter winner in tennis. In soccer, Matt helped Celina win the Western Buckeye League (WBL) title his senior year while serving the team as a co-captain. His tennis accomplishments include being named as co-captain in both his junior and senior years while finishing third in the WBL at first doubles and earning first team All-WBL in 2006. Off the field, Stetler's accomplishments include participation in German Club and serving as president of Business Professionals of America. He will transfer from the University of Toledo and major in information systems.
MICHAEL TIMPE, a 2007 graduate of Swanton High School in Swanton, Ohio, earned soccer honors in his league (NWOHSSL) by being named to the first team in his junior and senior years as well as being named as all-district honorable mention both years. Michael's versatility and ability to distribute the ball will allow him to contribute in Bluffton University's midfield early in his career. His vision and deft touch helped him "take over" games at the high school level and it's anticipated that his confidence and initiative will develop rapidly as he adjusts to collegiate soccer. Other sports that have occupied his time include basketball and track. Michael's academic achievements include being a member of National Honor Society, Honor Roll and maintaining a 3.4 GPA. His community involvement did not stray far from the soccer pitch as he served as an assistant coach for a U10 boys traveling team for the Swanton Soccer Club.
Recruit bio's are supplied by the student athlete, their family, and coaches. Any inaccuracies will be corrected if brought to our attention.
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