RYAN FIELDEN • Sport: Soccer • College: Newberry • Height: 5-7 • Position: Forward • Major: Business, minor in sport management • Breakdown: Scored 10 goals with 10 assists before sitting out the last half of the season with a groin pull. Also sustained a concussion when he was sandwiched by two defenders and took a knee to the head. Moved from California before his sophomore season and has played on five club teams. • Why Newberry: "Soccer's my passion. I've been playing since I was 5. A lot of schools were looking at me for cross country too but I wanted to stick with soccer." • Leaving the nest: "I'm very excited for him and just so proud." -- Mother Colleen Fielden KYLE HARTLEY • Sport: Baseball • College: USC Lancaster • Height: 5-7 • Position: Left field/center field • Major: Physical education • Breakdown: Hit .381 with 12 RBIs and his first career home run last season, only striking out five times. Will room with Shane Whitman and hopes to transfer to South Carolina once his two-year stint at USCL is up. Wants to be a coach. • Why USC Lancaster: "It's a first-year program. It's a good opportunity to go in and start right away." • Leaving the nest: "I'm glad he's close. It's a small school and that's good for Kyle." -- Mother Michele Hartley "He's got the opportunity to do something I never got a chance to do -- to go to college and play baseball. Having my son have that opportunity, I think it's awesome." -- Father Jesse Hartley MEGAN KILLMEYER • Sport: Soccer • College: USC Aiken • Height: 5-5 • Position: Center/midfielder • Major: Nursing • Breakdown: Played on three club soccer teams and also started for the basketball team. Said she chose soccer because her height doesn't affect her ability to perform. Liked USCA because of the smaller atmosphere and it's right across the street from a hospital, where she'll be able to follow her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. • Why USC Aiken: "I liked the location, being out of the big city." • Leaving the nest: "We're glad she chose Aiken. The other schools that were looking at her were for basketball or didn't have a nursing program." -- Mother Diane Killmeyer "We're excited. We like to watch her play sports. If she ever quit, we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves." -- Father Regis Killmeyer GARRETT KOSTER • Sport: Baseball • College: Winthrop • Height: 6-1 • Position: Shortstop/infield • Major: Undecided, but thinking about sport management • Breakdown: Was offered as a sophomore and picked Winthrop over interest from Clemson, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia Tech and several others. Batted .485 in Region 3-AAAA games with three homers and 18 RBIs last season. Was invited by Atlanta and Arizona to play in major-league showcases. Has been scouted by six professional teams but said he does not expect to be a high draft pick. If not baseball, he wants to coach and teach. • Why Winthrop: "I love the coaching staff. They scouted me early and kept in touch. I'm ready to get down there and try to help them out next year." • Leaving the nest: "He's worked so hard and given so much effort. He thinks he's going to bring the laundry home, but he's not, OK?" -- Mother Gaye Koster "Garrett's worked hard to get where he's gotten to. He's put a lot of time and effort into the game." -- Father Keith Koster SHANE WHITMAN • Sport: Baseball • College: USC Lancaster • Height: 6-1 • Position: Third base • Major: Undecided • Breakdown: Hit .230 and committed only two errors last season. Will room with Hartley and hopefully catch on at South Carolina when his two years at USCL ends. • Why USC Lancaster: "We were playing Lancaster about two weeks ago and somebody there asked me about playing at USC Lancaster. They're starting a new program and gave me an opportunity." • Leaving the nest: "It feels good ... I'm glad he's going to be playing baseball so close by." -- Mother Kim Whitman "Starting up a new program should help him get some time." -- Father Steve Whitman LEXI WILDEN • Sport: Soccer • College: Erskine • Height: 5-4 • Position: Forward/defender • Major: Business, minor in sport management • Breakdown: Scored 18 goals two years ago and made all-Region 3-AAAA last season. Knows what she wants to major in but future plans are still being decided. Played for four club soccer teams. Chose Erskine over Appalachian State, Belmont Abbey, Lander and others. • Why Erskine: "The coach. The school itself, being so small ... I really wanted to go to a small school and the coach is so nice." • Leaving the nest: "I'm glad it's over with. It's been a process. I think she's got a good school and the coach seems like a super nice guy." -- Father Rick Wilden |