Video: 2011 Trailblazers Soccer Training Camp

Training camp has just begun, and a sense of motivation and pride is brewing in the air for the Trailblazers men and women soccer teams at MCC-Blue River.

Athlete Isaiah Johnson receives NJCAA Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement

Isaiah Johnson, NJCAA Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement

The Trailblazers soccer team will begin this season without their Academic All American starter Isaiah Johnson, whom graduated in the fall. Johnson received this latest accolade, the NJCAA Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement in July, but the team is already back at work this early August in his absence; MCC-Blue River training camp has begun.

According to Trailblazers Coach David Owens, “Isaiah has been a high character student-athlete at MCC-Blue River for the past two years. He is extremely focused on his academics, having earned twenty-one college credits before he even graduated from high school. While at MCC-Blue River, Isaiah demonstrated a remarkable ability to balance academics and athletics.”

Johnson became a National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All American for his A average in the rigorous Associate in Engineering Program. He

Missouri Comets Soccer Team honors MCC-Blue River Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers Men’s Soccer Team at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River continues to receive accolades for their NJCAA Region XVI Championship title. At half time of a recent Missouri Comets Indoor Soccer game, contested at the Independence Events Center, the Comets recognized the MCC-Blue River Trail Blazers for their hard won championship.

In this two part video, two Blue River Soccer Team players compete in a half-time “horse race,” mounted on stuffed horses. Trail Blazers Darrin Kraft and Sam York have quite a task in navigating their plush thoroughbreds. In the second half of the video, the Trail Blazers are honored by the Missouri Comets for winning their championship.

MCC-Blue River Trailblazers to be honored during Comets game

During the Comets’ Soccer Day, the MCC-Blue River Men’s Soccer team (the Trailblazers) will be honored for their National Junior College Athletic Association Region XVI Championship The game is Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Independence Events Center at 19100 East Valley View Parkway in Independence, Mo. Game time is 3:10 p.m.

Don't miss this amazing opportunity to support your Trailblazers and enjoy a fun, family event. Be sure to sit in the MCC-Blue River section. To do so, purchase your tickets directly from David Owens, MCC-Blue River men’s soccer coach. His office is in the campus life office (AS 113). You can also contact Coach Owens at 816.604.6426 or david.owens@mcckc.edu. Tickets are only $10 and parking is free.

Click here to view a map to the events center.

A Blazing Season Ahead - Blue River's Trailblazers

MCC-Blue River men’s soccer team is looking to build on their Region 16 Championship success through recent and upcoming signings of very talented local and regional student-athletes. Highlighting the list of signings are two players that earned 2010 Examiner 1st Team Honors, Cody Braden of Blue Springs High School and Jeremy Sagastume of William Chrisman High School (pictured above).
In addition to being a 1st Team Selection, Cody Braden was named the 2010 Examiner Player of the Year, Class 3 All-Kansas City 1st Team and Class 3 All-State Honorable Mention. He had 7 goals and 11 assists for the Blue Springs Wildcats. This is the second time in three years Coach Owens has signed the Examiner’s POY. The last time was in 2008 (Yacine Hamchaoui of Van Horn HS). The article on Cody’s award can be accessed at http://www.examiner.net/archive/x1808782267/Blue-Springs-Cody-Braden-named-Examiner-s-Soccer-Player-of-the-Year.

Jeremy Sagastume’s 17 goals and 12 assists also earned him Middle 7 Offensive Player of the Year and Class 3 All-Kansas City Honorable Mention. Additional area commitments to the Trail Blazers program are: Beto Alvarez, Blue Springs South (2010 Examiner Honorable Mention), Justin Schaefer, Lee’s Summit (Class 3 All-Kansas City Honorable Mention) and goal keeper Austin Prindle, Ray-Pec.

Due to the Trail Blazers 2010 success, athletes from outside the metropolitan area are interested in attending MCC-Blue River. Coach Owens recently signed three high quality soccer players from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, MO. They are: Tommy Lor (2010 Class 3 Central Region and All-District 9 1st Team), Dakota Shepard (2010 Class 3 All-District 9 1st Team) and Justin Biesnicks (2010 Class 3 All-District 9 Honorable Mention). Each player signed on the January 6th and is looking forward to challenging the local players for playing time in 2011. The coaching staff is immensely excited about the potential of next year’s recruiting class.

The 2010 team was Region16 Champions. What can next year’s team achieve? We’re optimistic!

MCC-Blue River Superstars

The soccer program at MCC-Blue River held its annual soccer awards ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11. This annual event recognizes the athletic achievements of both the men’s and women’s soccer teams.

This year, there was a lot to celebrate. Both teams finished with the most wins ever in their four year history. The women finished as NJCAA Region XVI Semifinalist, posting an 11-3 record. The men’s team won their first NJCAA Region XVI Championship, posting a 12-8 record. The awards ceremony celebrated both the team and individual accomplishments of these student athletes.

Also honored at the program were Tony Wrisinger and Bill Althaus with an MCC-Blue River Soccer Spirit Award for supporting local student athletes through high quality sports coverage.

Both Wrisinger and Althaus co-host the Sonic Locker Room, a radio program featuring local athletes and sports programs in the Independence, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit area. During the past year the Sonic Locker room has twice interviewed the Blue River coaches. The second interview can be found on the Trail Blazers website (www.mcckc.edu/blueriver/soccer).

Awards and Commendations - Men

Offensive MVP – Zane Christenson, Steven Long

Defensive MVP – Chad Middleton, Jeremy Herrman

Leadership Award – Jared Bailey

Player’s Choice Award – Sean Lindsey

Awards and Commendations - Women

Offensive MVP – Courtney Codilla, Kristi Blau

Defensive MVP – Abby Bailey, Jessica Brumble

Leadership Award – Monett Johnson

Most Improved Player – Brianna Loveall

Player’s Choice Award – Monett Johnson

Region XVI 1st Team – Ashley Killian, Jessica Brumble, Kristi Blau, Steven Long, Sean Lindsey

Region XVI 2nd Team – Monett Johnson, Cecilia Perez, Abby Bailey, Zane Christenson, Jared Bailey

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Region XVI Men’s Coach of the Year

David Owens

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2010 Trail Blazer Soccer Spirit Award

Went to the Sonic Locker Room
Tony Wrisinger and Bill Althaus

Kirstie Warren, Ashley Killian, Ceci Perez and Darren Kraft were also recognized for their contribution to team spirit and chemistry.

Trailblazers Men Claim Victory

In a closely contested game, the Trailblazer Men defeated St. Charles Community College 3-1 for the Region 16 Championship!

The Men are headed to Lincoln College in Illinois for the district tournament. For more info visit http://mcckc.edu/blueriver/soccer

More details coming soon on The MCC Insider!

Setting soccer ablaze -Trail Blazers Update

MCC-Blue River is pleased to announce the men’s Trail Blazers soccer team defeated East Central College Saturday (Oct. 23) with a score of 1-0. This triumph propels them to the Semi-Final round of the Region 16 tournament.


That the semifinals and finals will be at STLCC Florissant Valley. The Trailblazers were a #3 seed (team placement). This is the third year in a row we have earned a top four seed, as well as advanced to the regional semifinals. The goal scorer for the East Central game was Steven Long. It was his team leading 13th goal of the season.

Next in Line…Jefferson College
The men will play Jefferson [College] in St. Louis, Mo. at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 29. Should they claim their victory, they will compete in the championship game on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1p.m. also in St. Louis.

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Women Soccer Update

The women’s Trail Blazers soccer team launches their post-season as the #3 seed in Region 16 with an 11-2 record! They will challenge Maple Woods in the Regional Tournament Semi-Finals on Friday, Oct. 29. The women's game will begin at 5 p.m. Come out and support them at the new Sport-turf field at Bingham Middle School, 2 miles west of the College.

John Burke, MCC-Blue River’s dean of student development, encourages support of the Blue River Trail Blazers “Our student athletes have worked hard to achieve success and to represent Blue River”, says Burke, “please provide them a word of encouragement and continued support.”

Go Blazers!



Trailblazers in the News:

"MCC-Blue River soccer team advances to Region 16 semis"

Source: Examiner.Net

MCC-Maple Woods Homecoming Game 2010 - Monarchs v. Trailblazers

The Monarchs lost a very hard-fought game to the Trailblazers, 0-1 (although we did clean up in the pre-game poll!)

Congrats to both teams and Happy Homecoming Week @ MCC-Maple Woods!

Trailblazer soccer pre-season 2010

With the NJCAA soccer season right around the corner, MCC-Blue river is putting their Trailblazers through the paces. Even with the 110 degree heat index, the athletes are ready for the season, and looking forward to competing against rivals from MCC-Maple Woods.

The pre-season work outs are leading up to a great season for Blue River.

Visit http://mcckc.edu/blueriver/soccer for more information.