BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Four high school soccer standouts have announced they will Illinois Wesleyan University to continue their academic and athletic careers, IWU soccer coach Dave Barrett announced today.

Among the recruits are Katie Kelly of Wheaton (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS); Brittany Kirkpatrick of Lakeville, Minn. (HS); Emily McCracken of Greenville (HS); and Rachel Parker of Oswego (HS).

IWU head coach Barrett's comments on these members of his recruiting class:

r Katie Kelly (Wheaton, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS)
Katie is a quick, skillful, and experienced player who was recruited heavily by other Division I and III colleges. Her club soccer experience is with Campton United and with the Naperville Soccer Association, and she has also been on the Illinois State Olympic Development teams in 2000 and 2001. With Campton United, Katie was an integral member of teams that won the Illinois State Cup in 2001, and competed in top tournaments such as the San Diego Surf Cup, the President's Day Classic (AZ), and WAGS, winning that tournament in 2000. Also a top student, Katie is ranked 36 in her class of 527 and plans to study Veterinary Medicine. "I am thrilled to add Katie to our team," says Coach Barrett. "She is a great player and a quality person who will give us a special dimension on the left side of midfield."

r Brittany Kirkpatrick (Lakeville, Minn., HS)
Brittany will bring speed, quickness, and a knack for finishing to the Titan lineup. As a striker, she will be a dangerous threat for opposing teams to deal with for the next four seasons. She plays her club soccer for the Twin Cities Fire, and prior to that won two Minnesota State Championships with Valley United Soccer Club. Brittany is also a six-time member of the Minnesota State Olympic Development team. Also a top student at Lakeville High School, Brittany will graduate as valedictorian of her class of 658 and study math and economics at IWU. "Brittany is going to make her presence felt immediately," says Coach Barrett. "She is a smart and assertive player whose quickness will be tough for opponents to deal with."

r Emily McCracken (Greenville HS)
Emily could be the sleeper of this season's recruits. She is an attacking midfielder who led her team in scoring with 9 goals and 16 assists in her junior year. She was named All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Section in 2001. Emily is a hard-working, creative player who will add to the quality of midfielders in the Titan team. Another top student, Emily will graduate in the top 10 of her class of 150.

r Rachel Parker (Oswego HS)
Rachel will add some depth to the defensive corps of the Titans. Rachel plays her club soccer for Ajax FC, and was an All-Conference defender at Oswego High School during her junior year. A hard-working, tough defender, Rachel will be a quality addition to the Titan team.