With the conclusion of the softball season, East Central College officially is building for the 2012-13 school year with its three sports teams.
The three are moving in different directions.
Brad Wallach’s softball team will be returning the bulk of its players after qualifying for the NJCAA Division II national tournament this season.
Kean Barclay takes over the soccer program from Bobby Peters.
And Lisa Mathes-Peters is remolding the volleyball team with no returning players.
Softball
Before ECC even started the season, Wallach had the core of his 2013 class signed. The Falcons inked six players after the end of the 2011 high school season and before the start of the 2012 college season.
The six are:
• Alex Adelsberger (Timberland);
• Chelsea Bax (Fatima);
• Michelle Bryant (Crocker);
• Megan Heimbaugh (Rolla);
• Abby Job (Warrenton); and
• Brittany Miller (Lindbergh).
Wallach’s team graduates three players from this year’s team, Brooke Brenton (Lebanon), Rhiannon Edler (Owensville) and Nicole Thompson (Winfield).
Soccer
Barclay, who was picked following an extensive search after Bobby Peters’ resignation, has been very busy trying to get ready for the fall season. Barclay has had his current players in the community working at events such as Special Olympics.
In preparation for the 2012 season, Barclay has been busy in securing commitments from the returning freshmen for this fall. Additionally, he has one new recruit according to NJCAA. The new player is:
• Vadim Cojocov (Mearstown Estate, Finglas, Dublin, Ireland).
Volleyball
It will be a much different season for Lisa Mathes-Peters and her volleyball Falcons.
Mathes-Peters has 11 players signed for 2012 and none are returning players. Nor are any from local schools.
Of the signings, 10 are from Missouri and one comes from Iowa. The closest signings are from St. Louis and Jefferson counties.
Signed to play for ECC this fall, according to NJCAA, are:
• Elizabeth Carino (Windsor);
• Meghan Eggemeyer (Festus);
• Whitney Froman (Scott City);
• Jacy Lashley (Eminence);
• Megan Manis (Winona);
• Sadie Pafford (Bowling Green);
• Marisa Patton (Summersville);
• Amanda Reetz (West Delaware, Iowa);
• Sarah Stepp (Oakville);
• Amy Wibbenmeyer (Cape Notre Dame); and
• Alison Wootten (Bowling Green).
The Falcons graduated four players, All-American Tiffany Borgerding (Washington), Lauren Baumstark (Borgia), Maddie Kelly (Timberland) and Charis Stewart (Cape Girardeau Central).
The remainder of the roster from 2011 has decided to transfer.
