CLINTON, S.C. ? Presbyterian College women's soccer head coach Brian Purcell announced the signing of five student-athletes to the Blue Hose Class of 2013. Alice Blackwell, Townley Cheek, Sarah Kustick, Kylie Mills and Rebekah St. Clair will join the team for the 2009 season.
“We are particularly pleased with this class,” Purcell said. “Not only have we covered our positional needs but this group provides the level of skill, athletic ability, and experience which will help us continue the transition process to Division I.”
The Class of 2013 comes from South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Purcell brings in two defenders and three midfielders. Mills, who plays both midfield and forward, could also see some time on the front line.
Purcell's latest signing class is loaded with experience at the highest level. The group includes players who are members of their states' Olympic Development Programs, a record-setting goal scorer for most goals in a single season, three players who led their teams to regional championships and three that earned all-region honors at some point in their career.
Purcell is also excited about how the signees will contribute to the PC community off the field.
“Not only are they very good soccer players, but they are the type of student-athletes we want here at PC,” Purcell said. “These are all young women who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the soccer field”.
Among the five that make up the Class of 2013 are a NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-American and two members of the National Honor Society. Two student-athletes plan to major in biology at PC.
The five freshmen will join 15 returning players in August when the team reports to PC for preseason camp.
Blue Hose Class of 2013:
Alice Blackwell
Freshman Midfield 5-6 Marietta, S.C./Travelers Rest H.S.
High School: Four-year letterwinner at Travelers Rest H.S. ... Three-time All-Peach Blossom AAA region honoree ... Named team MVP her junior year ... Played for head coach Carlos Osorio on the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy club team ... Four-year member of the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association's Olympic Development Team ... NSCAA/adidas 2008 Scholar All-American ... Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Born Alice Waite Blackwell on Oct. 12,1990 in Greenville, S.C. ... Daughter of Rick and Ann Blackwell ... Older sister, Maggie, plays soccer at the University of South Carolina.
Townley Cheek
Freshman Defense 5-7 Franklin, Tenn./Franklin H.S.
High School: Four-year starter at defense for head coach Jimmy Burchett at Franklin H.S. ... Chosen to all-district, all-region and all-Tennessean Midstate teams as a senior ... Helped the Lady Rebels win three region championships and advance to the state semifinals three straight years ... All-region selection as a junior ... Member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars ... Received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award ... Member of the Nashville Metros soccer club ... Part of the Olympic Development Program in Tennessee.
Personal: Born Ivy Townley Cheek on Mar. 6, 1991 in Atlanta, Ga. ... Daughter of Larry and Pam Cheek.
Sarah Kustick
Sophomore Defense 5-6 Conyers, Ga../Rockdale County H.S.
High School: Plays under head coach Alf Holst at Rockdale County H.S. ... Netted five goals and six assists for the Bulldogs ... Selected to all-area, all-region and all-star teams as a junior after having been chosen as an alternate her sophomore year ... Team captain her sophomore year ... Named team Rookie of the Year ... Took third place at the International Sustainable World Engineering, Environmental and Energy Project (I-SWEEEP) Olympiad.
Personal: Born Sarah Kustick on Feb. 26,1991 in Atlanta, Ga. ... Daughter of Harry and Ronda Kustick ... Plans to major in biology.
Kylie Mills
Freshman Forward/Midfield 5-5 Aiken, S.C./South Aiken H.S.
High School: Two-sport athlete who plays soccer for Michael Young at South Aiken H.S. ... Led the Thoroughbreds in scoring her freshman and sophomore seasons ... Received all-area honorable mention accolades as a sophomore ... Also plays basketball where she earned the team player award as a sophomore ... Member of the Augusta Arsenal and Aiken Extreme club teams.
Personal: Born Kylie Lynn Mills on Oct. 18,1991 in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. ... Daughter of Bryan and Brenda Mills.
Rebekah St. Clair
Freshman Midfield 5-5 Stockbridge, Ga./Dutchtown H.S.
High School: Three-sport athlete ... Plays for Karen Montgomery and Ginger Sanhueza at Dutchtown H.S. ... Led the Bulldogs in scoring three straight years and broke a Henry County record for most goals scored in a season (54) as a sophomore ... Helped her team win the region championships three years running ... Two-time Henry County Athlete of the Year ... Plays basketball and runs cross country at Dutchtown H.S. ... Qualified for the state cross country championships as a freshman and was a region finalist as a sophomore ... Four-year honor roll selection ... Plays for the Henry County Thunder club team.
Personal: Born Rebekah Leigh St. Clair on Nov. 1, 1990 in Macon, Ga. ... Daughter of Doug and Donna
