University of Kentucky head women?s soccer coach Warren Lipka has announced the signing of Laura Speer from Irmo, S.C., to a national-letter-of-intent.

Speer, a 5-4 forward/midfielder/defender, has been a captain and three-year starter at Dutch Fork High School. As a sophomore, her team ranked in the top 25 nationally and she earned Gatorade Rookie of the Year honors her first season. Speer was a member of the State ODP Team and was captain of the CFC Breakers Club Team, which reached the State Cup Semi-finals all three years.

Speer also lettered in cross country and gymnastics. Among her athletic accomplishments, she was the 2001 and 2002 US National Champion in Power Tumbling Gymnastics and named to 2003 US National Junior Elite Team.

?Laura possesses great athleticism and attacking ability,? said head coach Warren Lipka. ?We look forward to getting her here and working with our team as soon as possible.?

Speer joins nine other signees who will join the Wildcat roster in the fall of 2005.