Former Lady Warrior Jordie Retzlaff signs with Central Methodist University in 2011 to play soccer. Photo submitted
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Murfreesboro is home to many great high school athletes who compete in several different sports.
For some, their performances earn them a scholarship at the next level. Two female athletes, one a soccor player and the other a gymnastics star, have already begun to enjoy success on the colligate level.
Former Murfreesboro resident Jordie Retzlaff signed a soccer scholarship with the NAIA’s Central Methodist University last week. The school is based out of Fayette, Mo., and is a member of Heart of America conference. For Retzlaff, it gives her a chance to stay near her current O’Fallon, Mo., home.
“They gave me a great offer, and it is about an hour and half from my house,” Retzlaff said.
It was the first school she visited during her recruiting trip. She had offers in two sports by the school, softball or soccer. She chose soccer.
During her career at Riverdale High School in 2008, she was named all-conference – the same year the Lady Warriors won the conference, district and regional championships. They also advanced to the state quarterfinals that season.
She also played for the Murfreesboro Soccer Club from 2003 until 2009. During that time, the team won four state titles. The following year, she moved with her family to Missouri.
Retzlaff continued her success on the pitch at her new school, Fort Zumwalt West High School. In 2010 and 2011, she was named all-conference, and helped lead the Jaguars to conference and district titles last year.
On the club level, as a member of St. Louis Scott Gallagher, she helped lead the team to the state title in 2010 and 2011. Also, the team advanced to the 2010 U.S. Youth Soccer President’s Cup, which was played in Murfreesboro.
Now, she heads to an Eagles team that finished third in the HAAC last season with a record of 14-3-2.
Retzlaff said she wants to change the fortunes of Central Methodist, which has never won a women’s soccer conference title in school history.
“All of the coaches and players at CMU are amazing,” Retzlaff said.
Soccer has also been a family affair for Retzlaff, and she has shared a lot of success on the pitch with her younger sister, Jennifer.
Both women said they have enjoyed helping each other on and off the pitch.
“We have a great time with each other, and we work on different things at home,” Retzlaff said.
She said she hopes to continue her success as she moves to college, while at the same time, she wants to enjoy her experience on and off the pitch.
“I looking forward to meeting new people, and I am hoping we have a great season,” she said.
Murfreesboro resident Samantha Lutz has become well known in the world of gymnastics – all while competing in a city that does not have any high school teams. Instead, she competed for the Elite Energy Gymnastics, located on Battlefield Parkway in Murfreesboro, and won several competitions and awards.
Lutz’s performances have earned her a scholarship at Towson University, which is located in Maryland.
Her success has continued on the collegiate level. Last week, she was named ECAC Co-Rookie of the Week after her performance against Ursinus, in which she finished second on the bars.
Currently, she is ranked seventh in the conference on the bars.
For both local female stars, they hope to continue their success on the next level. |
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