Missouri Inks Top National Talent
2/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Feb. 5, 2003
The Mizzou women's soccer team continues to rise on the national level adding another crop of talented newcomers to the Tiger program.
"We are so excited to have this level of talent at Mizzou," Missouri Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "This class will take us to the next level. We are signing the best player from Illinois, Colorado and Iowa, in addition, we are making Mizzou history signing the greatest class to ever come out of Columbia, Mo."
Missouri ushers in seven top-caliber athletes including Illinois 2002 State Cup Champion Elyse Nikonchuk, Colorado State Cup Champion Aria Hudetz and Iowa all-state competitor Margaret Malm. The Tigers also welcome four local competitors from the Columbia area in Mallory Ames, Lauren Grice, Melissa Griggs and transfer Kira Reyes.
OUT OF STATE SIGNEES
Elyse Nikonchuk (5-8, Midfield, Lincoln-Way Central, New Lenox, Ill.): Named Chicago all-area three-years running ... was a three-time all-sectional and all-conference player ... named Lincoln-Way Central High School's Most Valuable Player as a sophomore and junior ... helped Lincoln-Way Central to the Illinois state Elite Eight in 2002 and the state final match in 2000 ... named to the Chicago Tribune All-State second team ... plays for the Windy City Pride club team ... helped Windy City win four consecutive State Cup Championships ... participated in the Illinois state Olympic Development Program in 2001 ... invited to play on the Region II team during the 2002 season.
Aria Hudetz (5-5, Midfielder, Fort Collins High School, Fort Collins, Colo.): Scored 41 career goals, 50 assists and earned 91 points as a four-year letterwinner at Fort Collins High School ... named all-conference and second team all-state as a freshman after scoring 23 goals and 26 assists ... returned from an injury as a junior to earn all-conference, first team all-state and All-Colorado accolades as a junior ... scored 18 goals and 24 assists and named Fort Collins Most Valuable Player in 2002 ... played on the Colorado state Olympic Development team from 1998-2002 ... was also a Region IV pool player from 1999-2001 and a member of the Region IV traveling team from 1999-2000 ... helped club team, Colorado Girls Soccer Academy, to the State Cup final in 2000 and finished second at the Region IV championship ... finished 2001 as 2001 State Cup champions and finished as regional semifinalists ... also won the 2002 State Cup Championship and attended regional competition ... named second team all-conference as a junior on the Fort Collins cross country team.
Margaret Malm (5-7, Forward/Midfielder, Roosevelt High School, Des Moines, Iowa): Owns 83 career goals during four-years of high school participation ... earned conference honorable mention as a freshman and named Roosevelt's Most Valuable Player in 1999 ... selected to the all-conference first team in 2000 and 2001... earned first team all-state honors in 2002 ... helped Roosevelt to the state championship where it finished second from 2000-01 ... also led Roosevelt to back-to-back Conference championship titles as a sophomore and junior ... earned all-state tournament honors both years ... also won a three-year varsity letterwinner at Roosevelt ... participated on the Iowa state Olympic Development team from 1997-2002 ... was a Regional pool player from 1999-01 ... led club team, West Des Moines Odyssey to state championship titles in 2002-03 ... also a member of the Roosevelt track team ... named the Gatorade Will to Win Athlete in 2002.
COLUMBIA FAB-FOUR
Mallory Ames (5-5, Defender, Hickman High School, Columbia, Mo.): Four-year varsity letterwinner at Hickman High School ... served as Kewpie team captain in 2002 as a junior ... helped Hickman to Region 10 title in 2002 ... earned team Most Valuable Defender award in 2001 ... also named to the All-District second team as a sophomore ... member of the Missouri state Olympic Development Program from 1997-2002 and was a Regional Pool player in 1999 ... played for J.B. Marine club team in St. Louis, Mo.
Lauren Grice (5-7, Forward/Midfielder, Hickman High School, Columbia, Mo.): Four-year varsity letterwinner ... All-Central Region and All-District 10 first teams in 2002 ... named All-District in 2001 ... lead Hickman High School in assists during the 2001-02 seasons and led the Kewpies to the 2002 District Championship ... scored 13 career goals and 24 assists ... played for J.B. Marine club team in St. Louis, Mo. ... participated in the Olympic Development Regional Camp in 1998, 2001 and 2002 ... was a Missouri state team player for four years and a Missouri state pool player from 1998-2002 ... earned 4.0 grade point average and was honored as an All-American Scholar ... also a member of the National Honor Roll, National Honor Society and was a Girl's State Representative.
Melissa Griggs (5-2, Forward, Hickman High School, Columbia, Mo.): Named to the Missouri all-state and all-central region first teams in 2001 and 2002 ... earned Hickman High School Most Valuable Player award as a sophomore and junior ... helped the Kewpies to 2002 District 10 title ... named team Offensive MVP and recipient of the Missouri Soccer Award in 2000 ... member of the Missouri state Olympic Development team from 1997-1999 ... member of the J.B. Marine club team in St. Louis, Mo. ... helped J.B. Marine win the 1999 state cup and advance to the regional competition.
Kira Reyes (5-7, Goalkeeper, Rock Bridge High School, Columbia, Mo.): Transferred from United States Air Force Academy ... tallied 41 shutouts as a four-year letterwinner at Rock Bridge High School ... helped the Bruins to four consecutive conference championships ... also led Rock Bridge to the district titles in 2000 and 2001 ... claimed section championship, quarterfinal championships and a third-place state finish in 2000 ... named to the all-conference, all-district, all-region and all-state first teams from 2000-2002 ... selected as the Missouri 4A Goalkeeper of the Year in 2001 ... owns team and state shutout record ... also owns Rock Bridge season shutout record with 16 ... set team goals against average of 0.620 ... member of the Missouri state Olympic Development team from 1997-2000 ... also ran cross country at Rock Bridge performing as a sectional qualifier as a junior ... member of the National Honor Society ... competed in Girl's State and was Missouri's first alternate for Girl's Nation ... ranked in the Top 10 of graduating class earned Dean's List honors at the United States Air Force Academy and the Commandant's Pin for Military Excellence.
