WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Central Missouri Jennies soccer head coach
Lewis Theobald announced the signing of six high school standouts on the second day of the 2022 signing period Thursday, Nov. 10.
Ryann Clark, a midfielder from Kansas City, Kan., Mikayla Ernst, a forward from Raymore, Mo., Gracie Knight, a defender from Shawnee, Kan., Hadley Lockhart, a forward from Shawnee, Kan., Aspen Patterson, a midfielder from Lenexa, Kan., and Emilee Person, a defender from Kearney, Mo., will all play soccer and continue their education at Central Missouri beginning in the fall of 2023.
"I could not be more excited about adding these six student-athletes to our program," Theobald said. "We were able to attract some of the top ranked players in the region, and they joined our program fully aware of the high standards and expectations that come with being a member of the UCM soccer program. These six individuals are not only very good soccer players; they are young women with great character. Overall, this group is very athletic and has competed for some of the best programs in the area."
Ryann Clark | MF | 5-7
Kansas City, Kan. (Piper HS)
High School: Three-year letterwinner for Piper High School…First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Metro and Second Team All-State honoree…As a sophomore, scored 26 goals and dished out 15 assists…Also played basketball and competed in track and field…
Club: Played club soccer for KC Fusion Academy…Her team was the 2020 State Cup Champion, 2021 Central States Cup Champion and 2021 NPL Finalist…
Personal: Daughter of Paul and Emily Clark…Plans to major in physical therapy.
Coach Theobald on Ryann: "Ryann is a very exciting player with unbelievable athleticism. She could play in any position on the field for us and make an impact. Ryann covers lots of ground quickly when she plays and will put other teams under a lot of pressure when we are on the attack."
Mikayla Ernst | F | 5-6
Raymore, Mo. (Ray-Pec HS)
High School: Three-year letterwinner for Raymore-Peculiar High School…First Team All-District, Second Team All-Conference, Offensive Player of the Year and team's MVP as a junior in 2022…All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore in 2021…Scored 21 goals with nine assists in 2022 and tallied 17 goals with 14 assists as a sophomore in 2021…Helped her team to conference, district, sectional and stat titles in 2021…Also competed in track and field…
Club: Played club soccer most recently for Kansas City Athletics 05 ECNL/RL (2019-present) and Kaw Valley Pre-Professional Team (2022)…Also previously played for KC Prime (2013-15) and Freedom Futbol Club (2015-19)…
Personal: Daughter of Michael and Keeli Ernst…Plans to major in biology (pre-med).
Coach Theobald on Mikayla: "Mikayla is one of the most complete strikers to come out of Kansas City. She is quick, fast, tough and will score in so many different ways. Mikayla holds herself to a high standard of performance and is driven to succeed."
Gracie Knight | D | 5-5
Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley HS)
High School: Four-year letterwinner at Mill Valley High School…Two-time, Second Team All-State selection…Helped her team to a runner-up finish at the state championship and two Sunflower League titles…Also played basketball as a freshman…
Club: Played club soccer for KC Fusion…Has been a team captain every year she has played…
Personal: Daughter of Ted and Amanda Knight…Plans to major in business.
Coach Theobald on Gracie: "Gracie is a dominant defender who can play in the midfield as well. She has a wonderful defensive presence on the field and has been a leader on both her high school and club team. Her versatility will allow her to make an impact in our program early."
Hadley Lockhart | F | 5-1
Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley HS)
High School: Standout forward for Mill Valley High School…Second Team All-Conference…Helped her team to Sunflower League titles in 2021 and 2022 and a 2022 Regional Championship…
Personal: Daughter of Ira Lockhart and Dana Harvey…Plans to major in business.
Coach Theobald on Hadley: "Hadley is a natural goal scorer. Every time we watched her play, she scored and was one of the best players we found with her back to goal. She is a multidimensional player who will cause all sorts of issues for our opposition."
Aspen Patterson | MF | 5-7
Lenexa, Kan. (Olathe Northwest HS)
High School: Standout midfielder for Olathe Northwest High School…Second Team All-State and Second Team All-Conference in 2022…Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2021…Helped her team to a third-place finish at the 2022 Kansas Class 6A State Tournament…Also competed in track and field in 2022…
Club: Played club soccer for KC Fusion Academy ECNL RL…Helped her team to the Kansas State Cup title in 2020…
Personal: Daughter of John and Heather Patterson…Plans to major in business.
Coach Theobald on Aspen: "As an attacking midfielder, Aspen has the game understanding and ability to link the lines together and allow us to dominate possession. She will also bring a physical presence in the midfield. Finding an attacking midfielder with all these attributes can be difficult, so we are lucky to have Aspen."
Emilee Person | D | 5-9
Kearney, Mo. (Liberty North HS)
High School: Three-year letterwinner at Liberty North High School…Second Team All-State, Second Team All-District, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region in 2022…All-District Honorable Mention in 2021…Helped her team to conference titles in 2021 and 2022, a District Championship in 2022, and a third-place finish at state in 2022…
Personal: Daughter of Steven Person and Sara Cooke-Person…Plans to double major in exercise science and pre-athletic training.
Coach Theobald on Emilee: "Emilee is one of the top central defenders to come out of the Kansas City area. In high school, she plays for her dad, who is one of the best high school coaches in Missouri, so she has very good game understanding. She is very good in possession and defends well out of possession. Her natural style of play makes her a great fit for our program."
