June 12, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky men’s soccer has inked 11 student-athletes to national letters of intent during the spring signing period, it was announced on Thursday by third-year UK head coach Johan Cedergren.
The Wildcats signed Hampus Agerström (Helsingborg, Sweden), Kevin Barajas (Atlanta, Ga.), Austin Bucko (Madisonville, Ky.), Nick Bigilin (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Noah Hutchins (Columbus, Ohio), Braeden Luna (Destin, Fla.), Andrew McKelvey (Dublin, Ohio), Grant Mook (Rocklin, Calif.), Eddie Star (Columbia, Ill.), Stefan Stojkovic (Halmstad, Sweden) and James Terpak (Mclean, Va.).
“I am very pleased with the players we were able to bring in this year,” Cedergren said. “We were able to address some of the needs that we were looking to fill. The players coming in have the talent, athleticism, and intelligence to continue to move our program in the right direction. They are very passionate about being at UK and will represent the Big Blue Nation in a way to be excited about, both on and off the field.”
SIGNEE BIOS
Hampus Agerström
5-9, 155, MF
Helsingborg, Sweden (Filborna Skolan)
Pre-College
Played for coach Ulrik Jansson at Filborna Skolan, also playing the last two years for Jansson with the club team Helsingborg IF … Club team was the Youth-15 Högaborgs BK runner up Eskilscupen and Y15in 2010 … Y19 qualified for Y19 Elite with Högaborg BK in 2011 … Y17 Elite with Helsingborg IF advanced to the quarterfinals in 2012 … In 2013, advanced to the Division 2 senior soccer Helsingborg Akademi … Placed fourth out of 96 teams in the 2005 Nordic Championship Halör Cup with Eskilsminne IF … Won the 2007 Gothia Cup B Championship with Eskilsminne IF (beat IFK Göteborg in final) … Won the 2008 Skåneserien Northwest Högaborgs BK … Was the 2009 spring, runner up Skåneserien fall Högaborgs BK … Was the 2010 runner up Skåneserien Högaborgs BK … Qualified in 2011 for the national Elite series with the junior team Högaborgs BK … Advanced to the 2012 quarterfinals for Youth-17 Elite with Helsingborgs IF … In 2013, played senior soccer division 2 Helsingborg Akademi.
Personal
Full name is Otto Mikael Hampus Agerström … Born on June 30, 1995 in Helsingborg, Sweden … Son of Mikael and Annette Agerström … Has an older sister, Josefin Agerström … Interested in studying economics.
Cedergren on Agerström …
“Hampus is a very talented player from Sweden. He is a very tactically intelligent player and possesses great skill.”
Kevin Barajas
5-10, 155, MF
Atlanta, Ga. (Mt. Paran Christian School)
Pre-College
Played for coach Aaron Farrant at Mt. Para Christian School … Played club with Georgia United and coach Tony Annan for the last two years … Played two years on the Georgia ODP State Team, before moving to the Georgia United … Earned all-region honors in high school, while leading his team to the sweet 16 in 2012 … Was named club captain the last two seasons … Was the team captain and MVP of his high school team in 2012 … Netted 11 goals with 13 assists in 2012 for Mt. Paran … Had five goals in 2012-13 for his club team, adding a goal in 2013-14 … Set a school single-game record with four goals and three assists … Was named to the Headmasters Academic Honor Roll.
Personal
Full name is Kevin Bryan Barajas … Son of Arturo and Ivette Barajas … Has an older brother, Jay (23) … Born on Feb. 18, 1996 in Atlanta, Ga. … Brother Jay played soccer for Newberry College … Interested in studying business administration.
Cedergren on Barajas …
“Kevin is a player that we liked for a while. He comes from a great club and he knows the game very well. He is a very technical midfielder with a good engine and athleticism. Kevin will look to earn playing time in the midfield.”
Nick Bigilin
6-3, 195, CB
Massapequa Park, N.Y. (Kellenberg Memorial)
Pre-College
Played for coach Bill Masiulis at Kellenberg Memorial High School … Played for club coach Miguel Brunengo and the BW Gottschee Academy … Played just sophomore year of high school due to USSF restrictions as a junior and senior … Set the Kellengerg HS record for goals (22) and points (37) in a season, pacing the team to a 12-7 mark … Was an All-Catholic League selection as a sophomore … For his club team as a junior team captain that anchored the backline, had three goals, started 24 of his 24 games played … As a senior in 2013-14, netted two goals while started all 13 games … Helped lead club team to the Northeast Pre-Academic League U-15 championship in 2012, also finishing as finalists for the US Club National Championships … Was a member of the state team from U12-U14 … Was a member of the academic honor roll each year of high school career … Was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Full name is Nicholas Bigilin … Born on March 21, 1996 in Massapequa, N.Y. … The son of Paul and Diane Bigilin … Has two younger sisters, Alexandra (13) and Ashley (7) … Highly active in the community, has served as a trainer for the under-5 and under-6 Massapequa Soccer Club … Was a TOPSoccer Tournament Volunteer, a tournament for special needs children, also working the New York Special Olympics as a volunteer … Has served as a tutor for children at the St. Martin de Porres Primary school … Has served as a Buddy Program Volunteer for special needs children … Has also participated in the After School Assistance Program at the Bristol Retirement Community … Intends to focus his academic major in kinesiology, exercise science and sports psychology.
Cedergren on Bigilin …
“Nick is a big center back. He has the ability to dominate players physically in the air and on the ground. He also has good feet for such a big man. He will likely battle for playing time all long the back four.”
Austin Bucko
5-8, 148, F
Madisonville, Ky. (Hopkinsville)
Pre-College
Played for coach Tyler Stallons at Hopkinsville High School, also playing club with West Kentucky United and coach Tony Sonnabend for three years … Netted 160 goals in his high school career, the second-most in state history, with his 57 career assists ranking sixth best … Ranked ninth in high school soccer with 62 goals scored during the 2012 season … Had 29 goals and seven assists during an injury-shortened 2013 … Had 42 goals and 20 assists as a sophomore, leading his team to 19 wins … As a freshman, has 26 goals and 11 assists … Set school records for career and single-season goals … Won the high school best offense and golden boot award in 2010, earning all-district and all region honors in each season … Led team to the district title in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and a loss in the regional championship in 2011 and 2012.
Personal
Full name is Austin John Bucko … Son of David Bucko and Kristen Walden … Born Nov. 24, 1995 in Hopkinsville, Ky. … Has an older sister, Payton Bucko (20).
Cedergren on Bucko …
“Austin is a player that bleeds blue. Being from Kentucky he has been a UK fan all his life. We are happy to bring him in after such a great high school career. Anytime you can bring in a player who scored over 100 goals in high school you are happy. He will compete for playing time up front.”
Noah Hutchins
5-10, 175, MF/F
Columbus, Ohio (Hilliard Davidson)
Pre-College
Played for coach Terry Smith at Hilliard Davidson … Played club soccer for the Columbus Crew Soccer Academy and coach Billy Tompson from 2011-14 … Was named high school best offensive player, first-team OCC and third-team all-district in 2011 … Was ranked among the top 150 by Top Drawer Soccer’s Class of 2014 … Totaled seven goals in 2010 and 14 in 2011 … For his club squad, netted 10 goals in 2012 and 12 in 2013 … Was named his high school scholar athlete in 2010 and 2011 … Was a member of the Academic Honor Roll and the Renaissance Program … Led his Crew Academic team to an undefeated spring season in 2013 … Assisted on the game-winning goal in a match against the U18 USA National Team in 2012 …
Personal
Full name is Noah Isasc Hutchins … Born on April 19, 1996 in Columbus, Ohio … Son of Ernest and Karen Hutchins … Uncle Donald Hutchins played football for Ohio University … Karrie Hutchins, his cousin, played soccer at West Virginia … Was active in the community, serving as a youth coach volunteer and as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels … Was also a Dare to Play volunteer.
Cedergren on Hutchins …
“Noah is a winger. He has the ability to run at you or tuck inside and be a creative force. We are happy to have another player coming from the Columbus Crew Academy.”
Braeden Luna
6-0, 165, GK
Destin, Fla. (Fort Walton Beach)
Pre-College
Played for coach Greg Devitor at Fort Walton Beach … Played club the last two seasons for coaches Paul Shaw and Sean Murphy with the Orlando City Academy … Led his Florida ODP A State Team to the 2012 National Championship … Was on the Region 3 Team, traveling to Mexico … Was named the high school defensive player of the year and was named Daily News first-team All-Area as a freshman … In club, was ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the state and the No. 2 goalkeeper … Led Orlando City to the academy playoffs as a junior … High school team advanced to the regional semifinals as a freshman … Also played football as a freshman.
Personal
Full name is Braeden Aleksander Luna … Was born on Jan. 19, 1996 in Birmingham, Ala. … Is the son of Eric and Trish Luna … Has two younger sisters, Brooklyn (10) and Brayla (5).
Cedergren on Luna …
“Braeden is a solid goalkeeper. He possesses all of the tools to be a big time goalkeeper in the future. He is a very good athlete and a very technical goalkeeper. He will add to the depth that we have in our goalkeeping core.”
Andrew McKelvey
6-0, 175, F
Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Jerome)
Pre-College
Member of the Columbus Crew Academy after playing first two years of high school soccer … Played for coach Nate Maust at Dublin Jerome as a sophomore and Chad Smith at Watterson High School as a freshman … Played club for Team Ohio FC Juventus and coach Brian Parsons from 2003-11 … Team Ohio FC Juventus was the four-time Ohio State Champions (2006-10), the two-time Ohio State Cup Finalists (2008, 2011) and US Club State Champions in (2006, 2007, 2009) … Team Ohio FC was the regional semifinalists for region II in 2009 and the Midwest Regional League Champion and US Club Regional Championship in 2010 … Club team was a finalist for the Disney College Showcase in 2010 … Crew Academy finished third at the 2012 MLS/Generation Adidas Cup in Seattle … Crew Academic also participated in the U16 College Showcase in Frisco, Texas, qualifying for the U18 Academic Playoffs in Dallas in 2013, with McKelvey leading the team in scoring … Was a three-time starter for the Columbus Crew Academic U15/16-U17/18 teams … Was named high school MVP as a freshman in 2010 and honorable mention and all-district in 2011 … Was selected to play in the prestigious Manchester United Premier Cup in 2012 … Started at forward in the Crew Academy match with the US U17 Men’s National Team as Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in 2012, with Crew Academy winning 2-1 … Was named TopDrawer Soccer Great Lakes Region top 15 for 2014 … In 2010, led Bishop Watterson with 11 goals as a freshman, before leading Dublin Jerome with nine goals as a sophomore … Had nine goals with the Crew in 2011-12 and 12 goals and seven assists for the U18 Crew Academy team as a junior in 2012-13 … Played in MLS Reserve games with the Crew first team vs. the Houston Dynamo, Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps … Scored the game-winning goal in 2013 to help the Crew quality for the Academy Playoffs in Dallas.
Personal
Full name is Andrew Joseph McKelvey … Son of Bob and Patti McKelvey … Has a brother Robbie (16) and a sister Molly (12) … Born on July 10, 1995 in Columbus, Ohio … Highly active in the community, volunteering with the Dare to Play Soccer Camp for handicapped children, as a Crew kids camp volunteer and with the Dublin City Food Pantry … Interested in studying business.
Cedergren on McKelvey …
“Andrew is another player from the Columbus Crew Academy. He is a very hardworking, goal-scoring, forward. He is the type of player that will work his socks off for the entire match. He possesses the ability to score with either foot or his head. His size, speed, and work rate will help him to fight for time up front.”
Grant Mook
5-10, 175, D/MF
Rocklin, Calif. (Rocklin High School)
Pre-College
Played for coach Grant Depue at Rocklin High School … Played club with San Juan Academy for two years under coach Brian … Is a two-time US Club State champion… A three-time CYSA Nor Cal State cup champion … Was the leading goal scorer on varsity as a sophomore … Was a kicker for the football team sophomore and junior year.
Personal
Full name is Grant Peter Mook … Son of Peter and Anna Mook … Has two older sisters Alex (26) and Dominique (23) … Born on Oct. 24, 1995 in Roseville, Ca. … Both parents were skiers at Sierra College.
Cedergren on Mook …
“Grant is a player that we found at our ID camp. The first thing that jumps at you is how athletic he is. He can get up and down the sideline very well. On top of that he has the ability to handle and pass the ball very well. We are looking forward to seeing Grant compete for time in the back and midfield.”
Eddie Star
6-1, 180, GK
Columbia, Ill. (Columbia High School)
Pre-College
Earned four letters for coach Jason Mathenia at Columbia High School … Played club for St. Louis Scott Gallagher and goalkeeper coach Tim Kelly … Led his high school team to the conference championship in all four years, winning regionals three times and sectionals twice … Paced club team to the USSDA Academy National Finals in 2012 as a sophomore … Was named an IHSSCA All-America nominee as a senior and first-team All-Stat in Illinois … Was named first-team All-Metro by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch … Was selected first-team All-Area by the Belleville News Democrat as a senior and second team All-America as a junior … Earned Belleville News Democrat All-Area Honorable Mention in 2011 … A three-time all-conference selection and was named defensive MVP his final three years … Was team captain from 2011-13 … Played for the USSDA SLSG/MO Academy … While playing with his club team, was rated as a four-star player by TopDrawerSoccer.com and was ranked as the No. 7 player in the Heartland Region, graduating in 2014, by TopDrawerSoccer.com … Was in the IMG Top 150 National Player Pool (2011-13) … Finished his high school career with a 47-2-6 record, a career record 35 shutouts and a 0.65 goals-against average … Set the single-season shutout record (14) … A four-year member of the Academic Honor Roll.
Personal
Full name is Edward Alexander Starr … Son of Edward and Jennifer Starr … Has two sisters, Lindsay (13) and Adison (three) … Born on June 15, 1996 in Valdosta, Ga. … Was active with the SPENSA (Special Needs Soccer Association) as a group leader in the community.
Cedergren on Star …
“Eddie is another solid goalkeeper coming in. He comes from a good club and has a good pedigree. He is a player who will fight and work as hard as he can to make himself and his teammates better. He is another great asset to have in our very strong goalkeeper group.”
Stefan Stojkovic
6-3, 176, F
Halmstad, Sweden (JB Gymnasiet)
Pre-College
Totaled 73 goals in his four-year club career, winning a national championship in 2012 with Halmstad BK U19 … Also made it to the quarterfinal of the national championship in 2010 with Halmstads BK U17 … Played club in 2013 with Varbergs BoIS … Was coached with BoIS by Igor Krulj and with HBK by Jens Gustafsson … Played for JB Gymnasiet in high school and coaches Håkan Magnusson and Håkan Svensson.
Personal
Full name is Stefan Stojkovic … The son of Caslav and Edita Stojkovic … Born on Aug. 3, 1993 in Vranje, Serbia … Has a brother, Milos Stojkovic (18).
Cedergren on Stojkovic …
“Stefan is another player that has played at a high level back home. He is a tall, fast forward and is someone we will be able to play through, as well as a player that has the ability to score important goals for us over the next four years.”
Jamie Terpak
5-11, 180, D
Mclean, Va. (Langley High School)
Pre-College
Played for coach Bo Amato at Langley High School … Played club for Annandale United FC, also playing in the Mclean Youth Soccer program from 2006-11 under coach Marcelo Valencia … Played for Washington FC, a USL Team in the Super Y League, advancing to IMG for nationals before a loss in the semifinals … Was named first-team all-district in 2013 and second-team all-region in high school …
Led team to a 14-4-1 record in 2012 and a district finals appearance in 2013, with a 9-4-2 record … Led club team to the Championship of the Virginia State Cup in 2013 … Led team to the US Club Soccer Southeastern Regional Tournament Championship … Won the DC United Academy Friendly, defeating the Columbus crew, N.C. Alliance and Stafford USSF Academy … Won the championship of the Baltimore College Showcase, the Capital Cup, the August Cup, the Sun Cup and the Disney Showcase … Was the ODP Super Y League Regional Champions and finalists for the 2013 EDP Cup.
Personal
Full name is James Paul Terpak … Son of Paul Terpak and Nan Walsh … Has an older sister, Lucia Terpak … Mother played three varsity sports in college, including soccer, ice hockey and track, while attending Bowdoin College and Dartmouth College … Active in the community, volunteering with TOPSoccer, an organization dedicated to helping mentally handicapped children play soccer.
Cedergren on Terpak …
“Jamie is a very tactically aware defender. His ability to defend 1v1 and his communication are some of his strengths that we were attracted to. He will be able to compete for playing time in the backline.”
