SPARTANBURG, SC – Wofford College men’s soccer coach Ralph Polson has announced that Turner Almond, Blair Gaines, Taylor Grim, Alex Hutchins, and Eddie Nam have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Terriers in the fall of 2009.
The five student-athletes come from a variety of locales, including two from Tennessee and one each from North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. The group includes three midfielders, a defender and a forward. They will join a Terrier squad this fall that will have lost five seniors from last year’s team to graduation, but still returns a core nucleus of nine starters off of the 2008 team.
“We lost a solid group with last year’s seniors, so we know there are big shoes to fill,” said Ralph Polson. “This is a group that can come in and make us better right away. We think these freshmen will join our returning players to make up another talented team with speed, athleticism and a competitive drive that will help us become more successful in the Southern Conference and in the southeast.”
Turner Almond is a midfielder from Shelby, North Carolina. He was a four-year starter at Shelby High School. He was named Southwest 2A/3A Player of the Year and received all-state honors this season. Almond was named all-conference and all-region the last two seasons as he scored 83 career goals with 42 assists. He will play in the East-West All-Star game this summer. He is also the starting defensive midfielder for North Meck Soccer Association’s Under-18 Academy Team. In addition, he was lettered four years as the kicker for the football team, earning all-conference honors in 2008.
“Turner is an extremely athletic and hard-working player,” Polson said. “He’s committed to the game and committed to taking his game to the next level. He should come in and push our returning players right away, and we think the future is very bright for him.”
Blair Gaines is a midfielder from Huntsville, Alabama. He lettered two years at Huntsville High School. He is also the starting forward for Huntsville Soccer Club team, which won two state championships. Gaines is a member of the Alabama State ODP team and the USYSA Region III ’91 ODP team. In March, he will represent Region III in an international tournament in Costa Rica.
“Blair has knack for scoring goals,” said Polson.” His speed and quickness should make him an asset to our program. He has the potential to make an impact early in his career.”
Taylor Grim is a defender from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. At Oak Ridge High School he lettered four years in soccer. He earned All-State honors as a junior, in addition to all-region and all-district honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior. He has career total of nine assists and eight goals at Oak Ridge. Starting defender for Discoveries Soccer Club team (Rock Hill, SC) and won SCYSA state championships in 2006, 2007, 2008. The team was a USYSA Region III quarterfinalist in 2007 and 2008.
“Taylor is an extremely hard working defender that possesses speed and quickness,” said Polson. “He is very determined and committed to being successful. I’m looking forward to Taylor being in our program.”
Eddie Nam is a midfielder from Marietta, Georgia. He is a four-year starter at The Lovett School and led the team in assists in 2007 and 2008. He was named captain as a junior and senior and has sixteen career assists with five goals. Nam played with the Norcross Fury Club Team, which won the 2008 state championship and also won the Region III Premier League.
“Eddie is a creative player that can make things happen and open up the game,” said Polson. “He is a very technical player and creates space well. We are excited with his commitment to Wofford.”
Alex Hutchins is a forward from Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a four-year starter and senior captain at The Webb School. He earned all-state honors in 2007 and 2008. Hutchins is a starting forward for Knoxville Football Club Liverpool Soccer team, which was TNYSA State Champions in 2007 and 2008. He is also a member of the Tennessee State ODP team and the USYSA Region III ’91 ODP team. In March he will compete with his Region III team in an international tournament in Costa Rica.
“Alex is a strong physical presence up front that can not only score goals, but set up his teammates to score,” said Polson. “He could have an immediate impact on the success of our team.”
The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to Wofford College and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
