Kansas University’s soccer team has capitalized on its best season ever with a six-player recruiting class, the university announced Friday.
Two high school All-Americans, three players from the state of Kansas and one from Colorado will be joining the Jayhawks this fall, a year after the team won the Big 12 Conference regular-season title and won its opening-round game in the NCAA Tournament.
Julie Henley, a goalkeeper from North Central High in Indianapolis, and Jessica Bush, a midfielder/forward from Blue Springs (Mo.) High, are KU’s two All-American signees. Henly was an all-state performer, and Bush was a three-time all-state selection.
Kansas University’s soccer team has signed six student-athletes to letters of intent for the 2005 season. The class includes two high school All-Americans in Julie Henley (GK, North Central) and Jessica Bush (midfielder/forward) and three players from Kansas – Kristin Graves (MF/F, Blue Valley West)
KU’s in-state signees were Kristin Graves (midfielder/forward from Blue Valley West High) and Missy Geha (midfielder) and Sara Rogers (forward/midfielder). Both Geha, whose sister Amy just finished her Jayhawk career, and Rogers attended St. Thomas Aquinas High in Overland Park.
Midfielder Jenny Murtaugh from Dakota Ridge High in Littleton, Colo., also signed with the Jayhawks. She won three state titles with the Colorado Girls Soccer Academy team.
Full bios (courtesy of KU Athletic Corporation)
Jessica Bush – Midfield/Forward
Blue Springs, Mo.
Blue Springs HS
Notes: Three-time All-Metro and All-State selection … Selected as the 2003 Missouri Offensive Player of the Year … Named the 2004 Missouri High School Player of the Year … Four-year Member of the ODP Regional Team … Selected as a NSCAA High School All-American … Played club soccer with the KCFC Dynamos.
Missy Geha – Midfield
Overland Park, Kan.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Notes: Three-time All-State selection … Twice named second team All-Metro … Nominated for Gatorade State Player of the Year … Selected to the ODP Region II pool … Selected by Student Sports as one of the top 75 junior soccer players in the United States … Played club soccer for the KCFC Dynamos.
Kristin Graves – Midfield/Forward
Stilwell, Kan.
Blue Valley West HS
Notes: Was a four-year starter for Blue Valley West High School … Led her high school team to its first ever state championship by leading the team in scoring, including seven goals during the postseason … Garnered All-Conference, All-Sun, All-State and All-Metro honors during her prep career … Maintained a 4.0 grade point average … Spent six years in the Kansas ODP program, including three seasons as a captain.
Julie Henley – Goalkeeper
Indianapolis, Ind.
North Central HS
Notes: Selected as ICGSA All-State, ISCA All-District and MCCGSA All-County and All-Conference during her career at North Central High School … Named a first team All-American by studentsportssoccer.com … Honor roll student … Three-year member of the ODP Regional team.
Jenny Murtaugh – Midfield
Littleton, Colo.
Dakota Ridge HS
Notes: Played with the Colorado Girls Soccer Academy Colorado, which on the state championship in 1999, 2000 and 2002 … Voted the MVP of the State Cup Final in 2004 … Led team to class 5A State Championship … Member of the 2001 ODP state team.
Sara Rogers – Forward/Midfield
Leawood, Kan.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Notes: Three-year letterwinner at St. Thomas Aquinas High School … Named All-Eastern Kansas, All-Sun and All-Star Johnson County three times … Two-time All-State selection by the Kansas Coaches Association … Help lead team to state championship final in 2004 … Member of the KCFC club team … Member of ODP Region II Pool in 2003.
