DENVER - The University of Denver men's soccer team will add eight new players to its roster for the 2010 season, head coach Bobby Muuss announced today.
This year's class features the signing of DU's second-consecutive Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year and the third-consecutive year that at least one High School NSCAA All-American has signed.
Denver's class feature two NSCAA All-Americans, the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year, three adidas ESP Camp participants, five all-state first team selections, two players with college experience, and two players from professional clubs' youth systems. DU has had three out of the last four Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Newcomers of the Year, including the last two.
The past two classes recruited to Denver by Muuss and staff ranked as the 19th and 18th best classes in the nation in 2008 and 2009, respectively, according to College Soccer News.
The class features incoming freshman Cody Adams (Frisco, Texas- FC Dallas), Chris Boswell (Naperville, Ill. - Sockers FC Chicago), Cole Chapleski (Broomfield, Colo. - Colorado Rush), Kegan Harkenrider (Fort Wayne, Ind. - Indiana United), Blair Jeralds (Clemmons, N.C. - North Meck SC) and Theodor Remman (Oslo, Norway - Stabaek).
In addition Denver announces the return of 2006 MPSF Newcomer of the Year and 2007 ALL-MPSF member Kellan Christensen (Layton, Utah), who has spent the past two seasons away on a religious mission. Additionally, Keegan Smith (Dallas, Texas) transferred to Denver from Saint Louis University, enrolling this past January.
"I am extremely excited about this class. I think we have brought in talent, character and maturity into the program," Muuss said. "With the development of our current guys over this past year, it could be a fun group to watch when it's all put together next fall."
Cody Adams
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 140
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Current Club: FC Dallas
Club Soccer/ USSDA/ODP: Plays for FC Dallas U18 USSDA for Coach Oscar Pareja • competed with FC Dallas at the MLS SUM Cup in Denver in 2007 and 2008 • participated in the U.S. National Team Market Training Center as invited by U.S. Soccer Scouts • two-time adidas ESP invitee, participated in the 2009 adidas ESP camp • one of four FC Dallas players invited to train in Brazil with Atletico Paranaense in 2009 • prior to the joining FC Dallas was a member of the 91 boys North Texas ODP team.
High School: Competed on Frisco High School varsity soccer team during his freshman and sophomore years • as a freshman helped team to the Texas High School 4A State Championship game • was named Freshman of the Year and scored the goal of the year for Frisco H.S.
Personal: Son of Vivian and Mark Adams • full name is Steven Cody Adams • has two brothers, Connor and Corbin.
FC Dallas Coach Oscar Pareja: "Cody has been in our club for many years and we have seen him develop. He is a very natural flank player and has the ability to take on opponents. He crosses the ball very well, and his joy to play the game is contagious."
Coach Muuss on Adams: "Cody Adams is probably the most dynamic left sided player in the country, and I believe a lot of people recruiting him around the country would say the same thing. He comes from a very professional environment in FC Dallas, and I think he will be one that the fans in Denver will enjoy watching help us win games over the next four years."
Chris Boswell
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 165
Hometown: Woodridge, Ill.
Current Club: Sockers FC Chicago
Club Soccer/ USSDA/ODP: Plays for Sockers FC Chicago U18 USSDA for Coach David Richardson • team was 2008 Disney Showcase Predator group champions • won U.S. Club Region II Championship in 2008 • won the Illinois State Cup Championship and Region II Championship in 2005 • was state cup finalist in 2006 and 2008.
High School: Played for Naperville North High School under Coach Jim Konrad • selected to the Chicago Tribune Top 20 Players in Illinois list for 2009 • scored 12 goals and had 4 assists his senior year, leading Naperville North to a 16-3-4 record, a Conference and Regional Championship • named All-State his junior and senior seasons, as well as All-Sectional, All-Conference, and All-Area Daily Herald in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Personal: Son of Malcolm and Lynn Boswell • has a twin sister, Anne Marie, and younger sister, Abigail.
Naperville North Coach Jim Konrad on Boswell: "What set Boswell apart from everyone else throughout his high school career was that although he was usually the most gifted player on the field, he was also the hardest-working one. He was also without question the best tackler I ever coached and had an incredible ability to cover ground in the midfield. His work ethic and eagerness to compete will allow him to be successful at the next level."
Coach Muuss on Boswell: "Chris is extremely competitive and versatile. He has been successful at playing several positions both in high school and at the club level, and we believe he has the potential to do the same in college. He has a very hard working mentality and comes from a great pedigree through his development with the Sockers."
Cole Chapleski
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 180
Hometown: Broomfield, CO
Current Club: Colorado Rush
Club Soccer/ USSDA/ODP: Colorado Player of the Year in 2009 • two-time adidas ESP camp All-Star • ranked as high as the 62nd best player nationally in 2010 class by topdrawersoccer.com • plays for Colorado Rush U18 USSDA Team coached by Eric Bushey • Rush team was 2008 USSDA U17/18 Midwest Conference Champions • named to the 2008 USSDA Western Conference Starting X1 • played in the ODP Regional Team for the '92 boys in 2007 • participated in the US National Team Market Training Center as invited by U.S. Soccer scouts.
High School: Played for Broomfield H.S. coached by Jim Davidson • named a NSCAA All-American his senior year, scoring 21 goals adding 17 assists • also named the 2009 NSCAA/adidas Colorado Player of the Year, the 2009 Denver Post Colorado Boys Soccer Player of the Year and the 4A Colorado Coaches Player of the year • named Colorado High School First Team All-State in 2007, 2008 and 2009 • helped Broomfield to the Colorado Class 4A state championship as a sophomore • scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the state final • named Broomfield Enterprise Athlete of the Season Fall 2009.
Personal: Son of Ronda and Gerry Chapleski • has a younger brother, Noah • played for same Colorado Rush club team as current Pioneers player Nick Brant.
Colorado Rush DOC Erik Bushey on Chapleski: "I am excited for Cole as he enters his next phase of development at the University of Denver. Cole is a great person and an exciting player. He is a great ambassador for Rush Soccer and I know he will have great success under Bobby Muuss at DU."
Coach Muuss on Chapleski: "Cole is an exceptional talent, but what we love most about him is the work rate and competitiveness that he puts forth for any team he competes for. To be able to attract a player with such abilities and accolades who also posses great character and a fierce team-first mentality is extremely exciting for our program."
Kegan Harkenrider
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Current Club: Indiana United
Club Soccer/ USSDA/ODP: Spent most of youth career with the Fort Wayne Fever Academy 92 Team coached by Bronn Pfeiffer and Bobby Poursanidis • won two Indiana State Championship with Fort Wayne Fever and team played in the 2008 Super Y National Finals • member of the U18 Indiana United USSDA Team coached by David Costa • was a member of the Indiana State ODP Team and also the Region II ODP Team that traveled to Germany in 2008 • competed with Fort Wayne Fevers PDL team in the summers of 2008 and 2009.
High School: Two-time NSCAA All-American as both a junior and senior • played for Homestead High School under Coach Paco Castillo • in his junior year, scored a school record 29 goals and led Homestead to the Indiana High School State Semifinals • named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, First Team All-State, All-Area Player of the Year and NSCAA All- American as a junior • during senior year finished with 19 goals and 15 assists and led Homestead to the Indiana High School State Championship game • again named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, First Team All-State, All-Area Player of the Year and NSCAA All- American as a senior.
Personal: Son of Randy Harkenrider and Maria Newman • has one older sister, Sorell • played for same Fort Wayne Fever club team as current Pioneer Mark Weigand.
Fort Wayne Fever Coach Bobby Poursidinas on Harkenrider: "Kegan is overall a very talented individual that has the versatility to play anywhere on the field. His greatest asset for me has been his mentality and how he approaches any game. He works very hard, plays with a lot of confidence and never allows fear to be his motivation. He plays the game with a lot of passion, determination and with the right type of spirit."
Coach Muuss on Harkenrider: "Kegan has all the tools. He brings bite, character and is a dynamic player who scores goals. He has the versatility to play a variety of attacking positions and has a great knack for scoring and setting up goals."
Blair Jeralds
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 165
Hometown: Clemmons, N.C.
Current Club: North Meck
Club Soccer/ USSDA/ODP: Two-year captain with North Meck's USSDA team under the direction of Thomas Finley and Craig Conger • earned USSDA Atlantic Conference Starting XI honors in 2008 and was named North Meck Most Valuable Player • was a member of the North Carolina ODP team in 2006 and 2007 • grew up developing in the Twin City Youth Soccer Association in Winston-Salem • participated in the U.S. National Team Market Training Center as invited by U.S. Soccer scouts.
High School: Played four years of varsity at West Forsyth High School • as a senior scored 17 goals and had 17 assists while leading team to a 17-3-1 record, the best in school history • earned North Carolina All-State Honors as a junior and senior • named the County Player of the Year, Conference Player of the Year and Regional Player of the Year during his senior year • earned All-State, All-Region and All-Conference honors as a junior and senior • scored 12 goals and had 13 assists in his junior campaign.
Personal: Son of Adrian and Towana Jeralds • has a brother, Darion, who plays basketball at UNC-Wilmington.
North Meck USSDA Director Craig Conger on Jeralds : "Blair is ready for the next step in his career as a student-athlete, and we are excited to watch his development under Coach Muuss at the University of Denver."
Coach Muuss on Jeralds: "Blair brings a lot to our program. What I like most about him is that he is a soccer player first, who has great feet and an excellent ability to read the game. He is a student of the game who is always learning and working to improve. Add that to the fact that he is a special athlete, who moves extremely well and can cover a lot of ground quickly. We believe he has an extreme amount of potential here at DU."
Theodor Remman
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170
Hometown: Hosle, Norway
Previous Club: Stabaek Football club
Will begin classes in DU's March quarter.
Club Soccer: Joined Stabaek Football Club in 2004 • previously played for his home club Hosle • Remman's Stabek G19 team was Interkrets champions (unofficial Norwegian championship) in 2005 and 2006, and Champions of the Norwegian National Cup in 2008 • lost in the finals of the Norwegian Cup in 2009 • earned Stabaek Junior Player of the Year in 2009 and was named the club's most improved junior player in 2007 • travelled to Guadalajara, Mexico, to play in the prestigious Copa Chivas Tournament twice with Stabaek • attended Nadderud Videregående Skole High School in 2006 and then transferred to NTG (The Norwegian College of Elite Sport) • also an accomplished youth bandy (a form of hockey) player who was captain on the team that won the Norwegian championship 2007 • the only active athlete in Norway that holds the national championship title in soccer and bandy.
Personal: Son of Pal and Cecilie Remman • has a younger brother, Peder, and younger sister, Emilie.
Stabaek coach Jan P. Jalland on Remman: "Theo is a winner. He is very good one-on-one and is a strong and determined defender. He is a well rounded leader, funny, honest and a fighter on the field."
Coach Muuss on Remman: "Theo brings some maturity to our group. He comes from a very professional environment at Stabaek, where he was named the 2009 Junior Player of the Year. He is a tough defender who is extremely competitive and has been successful at every step in his career. With Theo, we are excited to bring in a player whose work ethic, character, competitiveness and talent match the ambitions we have for our program."
Keegan Smith
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 180
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Previous School/Club: Saint Louis University / Solar SC
Started attending classes at the University of Denver in January 2010.
At St. Louis University: Redshirted his sophomore year • as a freshman missed time early in the season due to injury, but ended up appearing in eight games, scoring a goal and registering an assist from his defensive position • assisted on Dado Hamzagic's game-tying goal in the Senior Day win against Duquesne • notched his first career goal against St. Bonaventure • during the preseason, was named to the A-10 preseason All-Rookie Team and a "100 Freshmen to Keep an Eye On" honoree by CollegeSoccerNews.com.
Club Soccer/USSDA/ODP Four-year varsity starter at J.J. Pearce High School • captained the 2008 squad that went 15-5-4 • competed in the Solar Soccer Club in Dallas for eight seasons • was a key member of the defense on his 2007 squad that captured the Score at the Shore (Greensboro, N.C.) in addition to reaching the regional quarterfinals • spent four seasons in the Olympic Development Program that has taken him on various international tours, including appearances in Holland and Belgium • adidas Elite Soccer Program attendant in 2007
Personal: Son of Kevin and Sally Smith • has one sister, Hayley • his father played professionally for 19 seasons, 13 of which were with the Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) • was a youth teammate of Current DU players Bob Miltenberger, Alex DeCosta and Jarod Stigall.
Muuss on Smith: "Keegan is a very good soccer player. He carries a big frame yet is excellent with the ball at his feet. He is an extremely intelligent player, and we are excited to mold him into the University of Denver system this winter and spring."
Kellan Christensen
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 180
Hometown: Layton, Utah
Will begin classes in DU's March quarter following a two year religious mission.
First two seasons at Denver
2007: Played and started 17 of 18 games • tallied six goals and three assists for 15 points • recorded a hat trick against Birmingham Southern on Sept. 9 • scored the game-winner against then No. 22 Washington on Sept. 21 • Academic All-MPSF selection • earned All-MPSF honorable mention. 2006: Named MPSF Newcomer of the Year • registered five points on two goals and one assist • started each of the 17 games he played • scored DU's lone goal in a 2-1 loss to then No. 25 Memphis on Sept. 17 • scored in a 3-0 victory over San Jose State on Oct. 20.
Personal: Born November 20, 1987 in Layton, Utah • son of Carl and Nancy Christensen • has four brothers, Mike, James, Kyle and Eric • older brother Kyle was a four-time ALL-MPSF pick, the MPSF Player of the Year in 2008 and was the 33rd selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA.
Coach Muuss on Christensen: "I am extremely excited about the return of Kellan this March. I felt like he was one of the best players in the MPSF when he left DU for his mission, and we look forward working with him to get him back to the top of his game this spring. Adding his maturity, talent and competiveness back to our program is huge for our group."
