The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Adds Tucker Stone To 2007 Recruiting Class
4/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 17, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB head coach Mike Getman announced the signing of high school standout goalkeeper Tucker Stone to the 2007 men's soccer recruiting class. Stone's addition brings this year's class up to 11 signees, and Getman considers it possibly one of the best to ever come through UAB.
"The addition of Tucker just adds to the depth and talent of this year's recruiting class," Getman said. "Tucker is a great athlete who I expect to compete for playing time. He has all the qualities we look for in a player. He is a good athlete, a good student and the kind of person we want on out team."
Stone comes to UAB after earning all-state honors in 2006 as a senior according to the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA). Additionally, he nabbed all-conference an all-region accolades in 2005 and 2006. He also excels off the field and in the classroom, where he was an honor roll student at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, N.C.
Stone joins an already top notch 2007 class of 10 other signees. The Blazers snagged five forwards in the class, three of which have already enrolled at UAB and participated during the spring season. Transfers Frank Brown (University of Rio Grande) and John Markey (Montevallo) bring collegiate experience up front, while Kevin Sawchak has impressed with his speed and skill level. Anthony King (Huntsville, Ala./Vestavia Steamers) and Ken Tabata (Houston, Texas/Texans SC) are true freshman who have each had stand out high school careers.
In the midfield, Michal Mravec (Slovakia/Atlanta, Ga./Redwings SC) and Steven Grooms (Prattville, Ala./Vestavia Steamers) are the two newcomers to the position. Getman considers Mravec as possibly one of the most talented players to ever step on the pitch for the Blazers and should make an immediate impact. Grooms brings a wealth of talent, earning first-team all-state honors as a junior at Prattville High School.
Defensively, the Blazers welcome defenders Gabe Gala and Curtis Ushedo, while Carl Wozszcynski is the lone goalkeeper in the 2007 class. Gala is a member of the Canadian U-17 and U-20 teams, and preparing for the upcoming Youth World Cup. Like Gala, Ushedo is another on the long list of Canadians who bring a load of talent to UAB. The duo joins 17 other Canadians who have played for the Blazers under Getman, including current players Derek Rios (Toronto), Carlo Schiavoni (Montreal) and Dejan Jakovic (Toronto).
