Elon Men’s Soccer Adds Dynamic Group For 2016 Recruiting Class

ELON, N.C. – Head coach Chris Little of the Elon University men’s soccer team unveiled the program’s 2016 recruiting class on Thursday, Feb. 4, one day after National Signing Day. The Phoenix is slated to welcome 10 talented student-athletes into the fold for the 2016 season.

“I’m really excited and pleased for this class,” said Little. “Obviously, we graduated a big class so securing this class was very important to us, not in terms of talent in terms of positional needs, but in continuing to build the right character and the right people to take this program forward. It’s a class we worked extremely hard at (putting together), that we’re very excited about and what they will bring to Elon.”

Scheduled to don the maroon and gold in the fall will be Roko Bedalov (Seattle, Wash. / Garfield High School), Josh Blank (Atlanta, Ga. / Pace Academy), Tyler Chiste (Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon High School), Tyler Fewin (Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Country Day School), Nicholas Graves (Clemmons, N.C. / West Forsyth High School), Austin Hill (Graham, N.C. / Southern Alamance), Sam Loeffler (Baltimore, Md. / Calvert Hall College High School), Johnny Reynolds (Seattle, Wash. / Garfield High School), Caner Snover (Easton, Conn. / Joel Barlow High School) and Mikey Thomas (Kent, England / Panther Creek High School).

Roko Bedalov • 6-1 • 185 • Forward • Seattle, Wash. • Garfield High School • Seattle Sounders

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer with the Seattle Sounders Development Academy under head coach Dick McCormack.

• Played at Garfield High School under coach Carlos Enriquez

• Named the MVP of the Metro League

• Received All-State First Team honors.

Personal

• Son of Antonio and Lovorka Bedalov

Why Roko Chose Elon:

“I chose Elon because the campus and academics appealed to me and the team and the coaching staff are great.”

Josh Blank • 6-1 • 165 • Midfield • Atlanta, Ga. • Pace Academy • Concorde Fire

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer with the Concorde Fire under head coach Garth Pollonais

• Competed at Pace Academy with head coach Brooks Fleming

• Played three years with the development academy

• Two-time academy playoff attendees

• Named first team All-area during sophomore season

• Graduated with honors and earned the Headmasters award

Personal

• Son of Arthur and Stephanie Blank

• Plans to major in business administration and sports management

Why Josh Chose Elon:

“I chose Elon because of the excellence of the soccer team and the academics. In addition, I felt like I had a good connection with the coaches and players.”

Tyler Chiste • 6-0 • 175 • Defender • Belle Vernon, Pa. • Belle Vernon High School • Century V

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer with Century United V FC and the Riverhounds Academy

• Played club soccer under head coaches Larry Fingers and Mike Blatz

• Two-year club team captain

• Three-year BVAHS team captain

• Nominated for the Hines Ward Pittsburg Positive Athlete Award (2014, 2015, 2016)

• Named to the WPIAL All Star Team

• Selected the 2013-14 Player of the Year by the Riverhound’s Academy

Personal

• Son of Marc and Robin Chiste

• Plans to major in behavioral sciences

Why Tyler Chose Elon:

“I was hoping to find a college or university that could fulfill my goals in soccer and an academic career in the behavioral sciences. Through my association with soccer, I came to discover the opportunities Elon University had to offer. The support and encouragement from Coach Little, convinced me to visit the campus. Once I did, I was confident it was the right fit for me. Elon has the kind of competitive soccer program that I am looking for and academically, I am impressed by the curriculum choices, the intimate classroom sizes and the commitment to the success of its students. I am excited and anxious to experience the height to which my goals can expand at Elon University.”

Tyler Fewin • 6-0 • 170 • Midfield • Charlotte, N.C. • Charlotte Country Day School • Charlotte Soccer Academy

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer with the Charlotte Soccer Academy under former Elon assistant coach Joe Crump

• Team co-captain for the CSA U-17/18 US Soccer Development Academy for 2015-16

• Selected for the ODP Region II Poll in 2011-12

• Named to the NC ODP first team three times

• Helped the U14 club team to a NC State Cup semi-finalist in 2012

• Member of the National Honor Society

Personal

• Son of Scott and Michaela Fewin

• Intends to major in business

Why Tyler Chose Elon:

“Elon seemed like a good fit for me academically and athletically. The coaches made the recruiting process enjoyable and I’m looking forward to joining the team in the fall.”

Nicholas Graves • 6-2 • 180 • Defender • Clemmons, N.C. • West Forsyth • NC Fusion

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer under head coach Andy Butler

• Member of the U.S. Development Academy from 2012-16

• Named the Student of the Year in high school

Personal

• Son of Matthew and Marlene Graves

• Plans to major in finance and business

Why Nicholas Chose Elon:

“I chose Elon because it provides the best environment to succeed both academically and athletically. Elon is known for its award winning Business School and a soccer program focused on success through character. I can’t wait to be a part of this university and play with such a tight group of guys. Elon is the perfect fit for me.”

Austin Hill • 5-6 • 140 • Midfielder • Graham, N.C. • Southern Alamance • NC Fusion

Prep/Club Accolades

• Competed club soccer for GUSA and NC Fusion with head coaches Wade Forte, Marc Nichols and Andy Butler

• Named to the Metro 4A All Conference Team and named the league’s Freshman of the Year

• Received All-region honors

• 2011 NC ODP first and second team

• 2012 NC ODP first team and ODP Region III

• NCYSA State Cup Champion in 2013

Personal

• Son of Avery and Jessy Hill

• Mother was a cheerleader at Elon

• Intends to major in strategic communications

Why Austin Chose Elon:

“I chose Elon because it offered not only a wonderful athletic opportunity, but also because of the rigorous academic opportunity to set me up for the rest of my life. Every time I visited I felt more at home and in the end it was the best fit for me.”

Sam Loeffler • 6-0 • 170 • Goalkeeper • Baltimore, Md. • Calvert Hall • Baltimore Armor

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer under head coach Lee Tschantret

• Played under head coach Rich Zinkland in high school

• Five-year starter on Pipeline SC and the current starter for Baltimore Armor

• Club team is a two-time State Cup semifinalists and a top 25 nationally ranked team

• Three-year varsity starter

• Named All-MIAA in 2015 and the soccer captain

• Helped high school program to a two-time MIAA semifinalist finish and a program-best 14 wins in 2015

Personal

• Son of Brian and Sarah Loeffler

• Father was a member of the swim team at Loyola University Maryland and while mother played tennis at Loyola University Maryland

• Plans to major in finance

Why Sam Chose Elon:

“I decided to attend Elon University because of the camaraderie and brotherhood that I felt within the team. The team truly felt more like a family and this is something I wanted to be apart of. Along with the team, I felt very comfortable with the coaching staff. Coach Little and Coach Franks are very detail oriented, enthusiastic and they care for their players on a personal level greatly. Elon was the best fit for me academically, athletically, and socially. I cannot wait to be apart of a team that contends in the NCAA Tournament year in, year out and hopefully one day help contend for a national championship.”

Johnny Reynolds • 6-1 • 180 • Midfield • Seattle, Wash. • Seattle Sounders

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer under head coach Dick McCormick

• Also played at Garfield High School under coach Carlos Enriquez

• Two-time Generation adidas ESP in both 2014 and 2015

• Selected the Rookie of the Year in high school in 2012-13

Personal

• Son of Paul and Susanna Reynolds

• Intends to major in business

Why Johnny Chose Elon:

“I chose Elon because during the recruiting process, I built up a very good relationship with the head coach, Chris Little and the assistant coaches. Elon’s attractive attacking style of play was also a big part of my decision. I am excited to be going to Elon in the fall.”

Caner Snover • 6-1 • 160 • Defender • Easton, Conn. • Joel Barlow High School • Beachside Academy

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer under head coach Pete Doneit

• Two-year captain

• Helped club team to the academy playoff quarterfinals during the 2014-15 season

• Started 29 of 30 matches throughout the 2014-15 season

Personal

• Son of Gerard Snover and Nilgun Yigit

• Plans to major in business

Why Caner Chose Elon:

“I chose Elon because of the sense of family and unity that the team has to offer.”

Mikey Thomas • 5-10 • 155 • Defender • Kent, England • Panther Creek • u18 Capital Area RailHawks Academy

Prep/Club Accolades

• Played club soccer for head coach John Bradford

• ’97 CASL Elite – Semi-Finalist in 2012-13

• ’97 CASL Elite – North Carolina State Champion in 2011-12

• IMG Class of 2016 Top 150

• Student Body Parliamentarian (Student Council)

Personal

• Son of Bob and Ro Thomas

• Intends to major in business

Why Mike Chose Elon:

“I chose Elon because everything about it felt right. The soccer program, level of education and campus all aligned with what I was looking for.”