GRAND FORKS, N.D. --- University of North Dakota women's soccer head coach Kristen Gay announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent: Courtney Beckwith (Las Vegas, Nev.), Kaylynn Burgess (Las Vegas, Nev.), Anna Jung (Sandy, Utah), Jaymie Jackson (Anchorage, Alaska) and Noel Scherer (Fargo, N.D.).
"I am extremely excited about them," Gay said. "I think they can come in and contribute right away for us which we are excited about after losing a big senior class. There is some potential there and certainly we are not done yet. We should round out with about 10 or 11 kids for this class."
COURTNEY BECKWITH
A 5-foot-6-inch Las Vegas, Nev., native, Beckwith is a four-year letterwinner in soccer at Bishop Gorman High School. As a center midfielder/forward she has helped lead her team to four conference championships and was named to the All-Sunset Conference region team while winning club team state championships in 2008 and 2009. Beckwith plans to major in Education and minor in photography and plans to pursue a career in education while coaching soccer. The daughter of Scott and Dori Beckwith, she chose North Dakota for the coaching staff, athletic program, the historical campus and the overall student-athlete camaraderie.
Kristen Gay said: "Court is a versatile player that has experience as a midfielder and forward. She's a technical player with a great work ethic and will have the opportunity to make an impact for us."
KAYLYNN BURGESS
A three-year letterwinner in soccer for Green Valley High School, she has been named an all-region player and will be graduating with high honors. The 5-foot-8-inch center midfielder/defender has helped win the state cup championship seven years in a row heading into this season. The Las Vegas, Nev., native, plans to major in Dietetics and Nutrition while pursuing a career in coaching. The daughter of Darrin and Wendy, she chose North Dakota for the ability to get a quality education while playing the sport she loves.
Kristen Gay said: "Kay has a passion for the game that will definitely translate onto the field for us. She's strong, has good technique, and her experience playing on the back line will help as we have some holes to fill from graduation."
JAYMIE JACKSON
Captain of the South Anchorage High School soccer team, Jackson was named all-conference, all-tournament and voted most valuable defender. At 5-foot-9-inches, Jackson helped her U18 U.S. Youth Soccer team to the Far West Regionals held in Hawaii in 2009. The daughter of Ben and Lisa Jackson, she is an honor student and plans to major in nursing while pursuing a career working in a hospital emergency room.
Kristen Gay said: "JJ is another defender that will give us some depth on the defensive line for us. She understands the game, thus her anticipation will be key at this level."
ANNA JUNG
A 5-foot-5-inch versatile player, Jung was a four-year letterwinner for Juan Diego Catholic High School playing outside defense,
outside midfielder and forward. She was the captain of her high school team this season and was named to the all-state second team for the Salt Lake Tribune in 2007-09 leading her team to a state championship this season scoring nine goals. Her team also won four straight region championships (2006-09) and was a two-time state finalist (2006-07) with one semifinalist finish (2008). An honor student all four years of high school, Jung plans to major in physical therapy and chose North Dakota because of the campus, soccer team and being close to her family. She is the daughter of Phil and Julie Jung.
Kristen Gay said: "Anna is a quick player, very technical and has a high soccer IQ. Her understanding of the game will help her as she makes the transition. Anna has the potential to play a variety of positions for us."
NOEL SCHERER
A 5-foot-7-inch Fargo native, Scherer was a letterwinner four times in soccer, three times in basketball, two times in track and once in cross country. In soccer she was named to the 2009 all-state team and to the 2008 and 2009 All-Eastern Dakota Conference team. The daughter of James and Sandra Scherer, she plans to major in sports medicine and minor in journalism.
Kristen Gay said: "Noel is a multi-sport athlete and she has great athleticism. She's quick and does a great job of seeing the game and creating opportunities for her teammates. Noel will be a fun player to watch as she brings a tremendous work ethic."
-GO SIOUX!-
