Another International to Join 2012 Mustangs

 Ashenafi Negeri from Addis Ababa Ethiopia is set to join the 2012 Western Wyoming Community College Men's Soccer Team.  Ashenafi has been on campus at WWCC in Rock Springs for a couple of semesters already.  Ashenafi was able to practice with the spring Mustang team.  He is a dedicated team player.  Ashenafi scored in one of the spring scrimmages in 2012 and added an assist in another spring scrimmage.  Ashenafi improved a lot during the spring practices and scrimmages and proved his worth to the Mustangs.  Negeri is a gifted player with a great one time shot and some quick feet and nice dribbling skills.  Ashenafi will be the second Ethipoian
to join the team in it's 8 season history.  He has the skills and speed to play a forward and also a work rate to play a midfield.  He is a welcome addition to WWCC and we expect great things from Ashenafi on and off of the pitch.

Elko HS sends WWCC another talent

Twice in as many years Elko High School from Elko Nevada has sent Western Wyoming one of it's most talented soccer players.  Bernard Manuel an attacking player who can play midfield and forward has committed to WWCC.  Bernie a senior helped lead EHS to a great fall 2011 year and a deep run into the Nevada 3A playoffs.  Bernie was a 2011 All State player in Nevada.  Bernie is a tall and physical player who has enough strength to even play as a defender.  We are excited to add Bernie to the WWCC 2012 team and know that he will excel on and off the pitch while a Mustang.  We look forward to great play from Bernard while at WWCC.

Adrian Sanchez joins the 2012 Mustangs

 Adrian Sanchez a senior from Copper Hills High School from West Jordan UT has recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play for Western Wyoming Community College in the fall of 2012.  Adrian is a very versatile player who has played a center back and other defensive positions for his High School team and a forward or midfield position for his club team.  Adrian is a very talented player and we are sure that he can find a spot to be able to help out the Mustangs in the fall.  Currently Adrian and CHHS are in the 5A Utah playoffs.  He scored a penalty kick in the CHHS quarterfinal win for the Grizzlies.  We are happy to include Adrian in our talented 2012 recruiting class.

Update #2 for High School Soccer

In Wyoming - Tyler Wilkinson's Rock Springs High Tigers lost to the #2 ranked team in a shootout in the 1st round of the WY.  RSHS lost their next match and were eliminated.  Unfortunately Tyler was not able to help out his team as he was forced to sit out with an injury.

- Derek Smith a newly added recruit from Star Valley High and his Brave teammates went 1 and 2 for the 3A state cup this weekend in Sheridan WY.  Derek and his high school lost in the consolation championships.  News from the State Cup were that Derek had a great tournament and racked up a couple of assists.

In Utah -

Jared Jess and his Murray High Spartans won both of their playoff matches this week and are set to play in the 4A semi-finals on Tuesday May 22nd.  Jared scored the opening goal for MHS in the quarterfinalmatch.  Jared is shown below celebrating the winning goal, Jared is on the far left.

- Nathan Cutler and his Layton High Lancers were defeated in the opening round of the 5A Utah playoffs by the #1 team in the state.  Nathan and his LHS teammates played valiantly and took the heavily favored team to overtime before conceding the winning goal.

- Adrian Sanchez from Copper Hills High School. This young man helped lead the Grizzlies to uncharted territory and they reach the 5A semi-finals for the first time.  He played very well and are expected to contribute on Tuesday May 22nd as they square off against Davis High.  Adrian scored a penalty shot in CHHS's shootout victory over Riverton in the quarterfinals.

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- Mitch Jensen and the Darts from Davis High continue to roll.  Mitch and his team won both of their matches this week.  DHS will face CHHS on Tuesday May 22nd in a 5A semi-final.  Mitch's play was superb as he recorded his 10th shutout of the 2012 season in the quarterfinal round.  In the quarterfinal round Mitch had to save 2 penalty kicks in stoppage time to preserve the shutout and the victory.  Mitch is shown in his first round match up, conceding the only goal he has allowed in the playoffs.

Update in High School Post Season

The following teams have players that have committed to WWCC in the fall of 2012 and we wish them the best in their playoff.

In the state of Wyoming -

Tyler Wilkinson from Rock Springs High School.  Regular Season 4A West Conference Champs, Runner-up 4A West Regional Tournament.  Will be playing in the 4A Wyoming State Cup starting Thursday May 17th versus Laramie High.

In Utah -

Jared Jess from Murray High School.  1st Place in the Region 7 in 4A Regular Season.  1st round of the 4A playoffs on Wednesday May 16th when they host the winner of Mountain Crest or Timpview.  Murray High is currently ranked #16 in the state of Utah and #5 in 4A.

Nathan Cutler from Layton High School.  4th place finish in Region 1 5A Regular Season.  1st round of the 5A playoffs on Tuesday May 15th when they travel to play at Brighton.

Adrian Sanchez from Copper Hills High School.  2nd place finish in Region 3 in 5a Regular Season.  1st round of the 5A playoffs on Tuesday May 15th when they host Syracuse.  Copper Hills is currently ranked #7 in the state of Utah.

Mitch Jensen from Davis High School.  2nd place finish in Region 1 in 5A Regular Season.  1st round of the 5A playoffs on Tuesday May 15th when they host Alta.  Davis High is currently ranked #8 in the state of Utah.  Mitch is currently 4th in the entire state and 1st in 5A with 9 shutouts this season.

Brandon Bushman Returns for Honors

Brandon Bushman a member of the 2009 WWCC Mustang team will be returning to the United States this summer after his 2 year LDS mission to Argentina and will be a member of the 2012 WWCC Mustang Team.  Brandon is from South Jordan Utah and Bingham High School.  Brandon had a successful freshman year at WWCC both on and off the pitch.  Brandon was a member of the team (2009) tied for most wins in a season with 10.  Brandon's Freshman year statistically looked like this - 25 Shots, 3 Goals, 2 Assists, 5 Fouls, 6 Starts, 42 Halves Played.  Brandon was also honored as an Academic All Conference player his freshman season.  Brandon was also an initial member of the WWCC Student Athlete and Academic Council.  We expect Brandon to come back to WWCC and bring his infectious smile and energy to the 2012 team.  To use his endless energy and motor to be a nuisance to the oppositions defense.  Brandon is also versatile enough to play an outside mid for the Mustangs along with his normal forward position.  We are glad to bring back Brandon and wish him well as he finishing his service to his church.

Tyler Wilkinson Brings His Talents to College Drive

 Tyler Wilkinson has been added to the WWCC 2012 Mustang Team.  Tyler is a senior at Rock Springs High here in Rock Springs WY.  Tyler will be a 4 year letter winner for the Tigers and brings a lot of experience from the Wyoming High School ranks to WWCC.  Tyler primarily played goalkeeper for his first 3 years at RSHS.  As a freshman he played in 2 matches at the WY State Cup.  As a junior he helped his high school return to the state tournament.  This year Tyler was moved to a defensive position and has mainly played an outside man marking defender.  Tyler is a tall athletic young man that possesses a big leg and a competitive fire and drive that will serve him well as a Mustang.  As a junior Tyler was an All-Region Goalkeeper and a 2nd team 4A All state Keeper.

We currently believe Tyler will be a bigger benefit to the Mustangs as a field player this fall but we will give Tyler a chance to test the waters at the keeper position if he so chooses.  Tyler has been a huge part of the 2012 Tigers defensive success.  RSHS has already qualified for the WY state cup and wrap up their regular season Region crown.  Tyler demonstrated his leg on the football field as he was the RSHS football kicker this fall.  Tyler also scored a goal off of a 50+ yard free kick against his rival Green River High.  Tyler's goal helped the Tigers tie that match, that they would later win in overtime.  Tyler will focusing on his academic including his other passion art.  Congrats to Tyler and we are lucky to have him in the WWCC family. 

Taylor West to Help Mind the Nets for WWCC

Taylor West a senior from Pocatello Idaho and Pocatello High School has signed his NJCAA National Letter of Intent today to play goal keeper for the Western Wyoming Community College Mustangs.  Taylor has a great build for a keeper and  showed lots of great skills, such as diving ability, catching, positioning, throwing ability, long kicks and punts.  Taylor was a captain on is Pocatello High Indian team and had played varsity all 4 years at PHS and started his last 3 years.  Taylor also plays club soccer with his team in Pocatello.  Taylor is an excellent student and is looking into several majors including English and Engineering.  Taylor also has enough ball skills to see the field at defense or midfield if WWCC needs him to play there.  We are excited to have Taylor, who was an all region keeper in high school, as a new Mustang net minder.