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

Former Monarch to play Soccer for SIUE

MCC-Maple Woods student athlete Ricky Nwanguzo will be lacing up his soccer cleats at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville next year. Ricky is one of the many athletes who will be transferring to four-year institutions to continue their education and athletic careers.

Read the whole story here.

Escutia to play soccer for Monarchs

Francisco Escutia, the first recruit of the 2012 season for the Monarchs soccer team, hales From East High School in Kansas City, Mo. According to head coach Todd Logan, he will bring great skill and speed and is very excited to be joining some of his team mates that are already here from East High School, including Juan Vargas,  Victor Contreas, and Kitlyn Caton. Francisco will be pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering.

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.

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.

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

Homecoming 2010 comes to a close at MCC-Maple Woods

"My Life, my Future, my... what's yours?"

Homecoming 2010 at MCC-Maple Woods featured soccer, golf, 80s music, cookies, ice cream, rock music, a giant snake and student open mic performances.

Check out the slideshow for a walk through Homecoming at the Woods:

Create a picture slideshow

MCC-Maple Woods men's soccer team defeats CCC

The men improved their record to 2-2-1, winning a hard-fought game 4-1. Luke Evans led the charge with 2 goals and one assist, while Nick Petersson (assisted by Josh Ogren) and Cameron Hockett (assisted by Luke Sherman) each contributed a score.

MCC-Maple Woods women's soccer in action

The MCC-Maple Woods women's soccer team scored a convincing victory over Coffeyville Community College, defeating their opponents 7-0. Mallory Craig (Monarchs leading scorer), Tara Chavez, Ashley Forbes, Kortni Kellogg and Christin Worley each had a goal a piece, while Shelby Frisby contributed 2 scores. Defensive leaders included Brooke Hickey, Shea Staples and Kara Chavez, and goalkeeper Maggie Seibert earned her fourth shutout of the season.

Monarchs soccer back in action at MCC-Maple Woods

Fall means back-to-school, changing leaves, and college athletics, and MCC-Maple Woods is no exception. The men’s and women’s soccer teams are back in action for their third season in the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA), Region 16. The men are currently sitting at 0-2-1 and the women are currently at 4-1-0.

With a 29-man roster, the men’s soccer team is versatile and built to deal with a variety of offensive and defensive strategies. Todd Logan, head coach and currently director of coaching for the Futura Futbol Club, said he is focusing on fundamentals early and building team chemistry. The men’s soccer team is also one of the most diverse organizations at Maple Woods, with seven international players from as far away as Sweden, Brazil, England, Wales and Scotland.

The women’s soccer team is off to a fast start this season, winning four of their first five games. Head coach Timo Kibune, a former Kenya Premier League player and director of coaching for the KC Select Club, has assembled a roster of 15 girls from the local area. The team’s offense has excelled, scoring 21 goals over the course of five games while the defense allowed only two.

Both the men’s and women’s teams play all home games at Happy Rock Park in Gladstone, Mo. All games are free and open to the public.

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.

Region XVI Academic Team

Nine student athletes from MCC-Blue River's Trailblazer soccer teams have been selected by Region XVI of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for its academic team.

Isaiah Johnson and Jacob Rockhold will represent Blue River from the men’s soccer team. From the women's team, Aria Witherell, Rachel Thiel, Allison Hugill, Katherine Amos, Anna Johnson, JoAnna Driskell and Michelle Smith were selected.

To be recognized, a scholar athlete must be nominated by his or her athletic director, have completed two semesters of college work, have participated in one season at the varsity level and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better.