National Signing Day

Will Witherspoon signing for Virginia Tech

February 2nd marked the official National Signing Day, when high school seniors across the country could send in their Letters of Intent for the first time to commit to college programs to continue their playing careers. Congratulations go to nine players from the Sporting Kansas City U18's who were announced amongst the signing classes for a range of schools across the nation.

• Marques Mayoras is set to travel north and join an Ohio State soccer team that has brought Sporting KC a number of players in the past few seasons with recent draft pick Konrad Warzycha, as well as current starter Roger Espinoza.
• Konner Knoll and Jordan Rideout will remain teammates as they are each headed to nearby University of Missouri - Kansas City. In 2010, UMKC finished as the No. 1 team in the Summit League. Both Knoll and Rideout were given the chance to train with the Sporting KC senior squad last fall.
• Paul Oliver and Tom Adams will join Knoll and Rideout in the Summit League, but with opponent Oral Roberts.
• Forward Will Witherspoon (pictured above) is going out east to the ACC to join Virginia Tech. Witherspoon was another player who played in every game last season for the Juniors.
• Lee's Summit North High School teammates Shane Bowlen and Michael Oakley will aim to grab spots on the back line at William Jewell. The Cardinals made it to the NAIA Final Four last season.
• Asher Herbet will sign his LOI to Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus) on Thursday at Shawnee Mission South H.S.

Marques Mayoras Signs Letter to OSU

High School athletes have begun signing letters of intent to colleges and it’s no different for the Sporting KC Juniors. Marques Mayoras was the first of them, after he made his move to Ohio State University official Wednesday afternoon at Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Mayoras has played with the Juniors for the last two seasons ever since moving down South from New York. He’s excited to go to such a prestige school as Ohio State, but knows he isn’t done yet. “I know I still have to improve and work on my game if I want to get a spot in the starting lineup next season,” remarked Mayoras after Wednesday’s signing.

Before he heads back up North, Mayoras still has a season left with Sporting KC where he can hone his craft. “I really appreciate all that they (SKC) have done,” Mayoras said, “from paying for trips and giving me a chance to play at such a high level of the game.”

Two more Juniors, Jordan Rideout and Paul Oliver, will sign their letters on Monday at Blue Valley North High School.

More Snow Photos....

Nick Row dusts snow away so he can actually set the ball on turf for the free kick.


Marques Mayoras beats a Rush player.

These were just too good to pass up...