BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae Head Men's Soccer Coach
Shane Calvert announces the addition of 17 newcomers to the 2021 recruiting class. The newest group of Bobcats include
Camilo Aviles (Ventura, California),
Tamino Brown (Poolesville, Maryland),
Rayhaan Dharsey (Johannesburg, South Africa),
Fletcher Dyson (Aylsham, England),
Daniel Garvilla (St. Charles, Missouri),
Joshua Garvilla (St. Charles, Missouri),
Rickson Hill (Five Rivers, Trinidad & Tobago),
Jesper Jonsson (Huddinge, Sweden),
Ethan Shelley (Fairview, Tennessee),
Gray Smith (Pinehurst, North Carolina),
Elijah Stout (Woodstock, Georgia),
M.J. Upchurch (Cheverly, Maryland),
Erick Uvalle (Summerville, South Carolina),
Marshall Vaters (Fort Myers, Florida),
Nick Vences (Pinehurst, North Carolina),
Harrison Watts (Clarksville, Tennessee), and
Nate Whited (Sneads Ferry, North Carolina).
"We could not be more excited to welcome these 17 fantastic young men to the Bobcat United family," said Calvert. "I would like to thank my two dedicated, caring, and positive assistant coaches
Taylor Morton and
Faris Serafim for all of their efforts to take this class from hope to reality! This class stretches 10,355 miles from east to west and represents five different countries to along with 13 domestic signees. This class is the foundation on which future classes will be measured.
Camilo Aviles (Ventura, California / Ventura)
Freshman | Forward
Aviles comes to Lees-McRae from Ventura, California, where he earned Varsity Most Valuable Player status as a forward during his senior season. As a result of his accomplishments on the pitch, Aviles also garnered Ventura High School Male Athlete of the Year during his final year. His success on the field translated in the classroom as he was named to the Academic Honor Roll.
Tamino Brown (Poolesville, Maryland / Frostburg State)
Sophomore | Forward
Brown comes to Lees-McRae from Poolesville, Maryland and as a transfer from Frostburg State University, where he was a two-year starter and ranked top-three in goals scored and assists throughout his senior season. Brown's success on the field for Frostburg also mirrored his success in the classroom as Brown earned academic achievements while in Frostburg.
Rayhaan Dharsey (Johannesburg, South Africa / Darlington)
Freshman | Midfield
Dharsey joins the Bobcats from Johannesburg, South Africa as a freshman midfielder, who was a member of the Darlington High School in his final season before coming to Banner Elk. In addition to controlling the midfield for the Darlington men's soccer program, Dharsey found success in the classroom as he earned Dean's List status and garnered the Citizenship Award.
Fletcher Dyson (Aylsham, England / Aylsham)
Freshman | Midfield
Dyson comes to Lees-McRae from Aylsham, England as a freshman midfielder who helped his Norfolk Football Association team win the Under-18 County Tournament. His success on the field mirrored his success in the classroom, as Dyson earned the title of Prefect based upon his academic achievements during his career.
Daniel Garvilla (St. Charles, Missouri / Darlington)
Freshman | Forward
Garvilla comes to Banner Elk from Darlington Soccer Academy, where he served as a standout attacking player. His success on the field led Garvilla to win the Bear Dines Award for Perseverance and Overcoming Adversity. He also found success in the classroom as he posted an impressive academic record while at Darlington.
Joshua Garvilla (St. Charles, Missouri / Francis Howell)
Freshman | Goalkeeper
Garvilla joins his twin brother Daniel as a goalkeeper from Darlington Soccer Academy, where he played from freshman to junior year. His success on the field was evident based on the record number of shutouts that he achieved during his career. He also won the Golden Glove Award for his achievements in goal.
Rickson Hill (Five Rivers, Trinidad & Tobago / Southeastern CC)
Junior | Defense
Hill comes to Banner Elk from Southeastern Community College, where he controlled the defensive unit for the men's soccer team who was the NJCAA D3 National Champion. In addition to his success at Southeastern, Hill was one of the main defenders on the Sussex Community College team who were a NJCAA national semifinalist.
Jesper Jonsson (Huddinge, Sweden / Tullinge Gymnasium)
Freshman | Defense
Jonsson joins the Bobcats from Huddinge, Sweden as a freshman defender who helped lead his Tullinge Gymnasium men's soccer team to a Swedish Championship during his final year with the program. In addition to being a leader of the defensive unit during his final years with his Swedish soccer team, Jonsson found success in the classroom as he earned a Scholarship in Modern Languages for his extensive knowledge of German.
Ethan Shelley (Fairview, Tennessee / Wheaton)
Sophomore | Defense
Shelley comes to Banner Elk as an NCAA Division III transfer from Wheaton College. Prior to his experience in Wheaton, Illinois, Shelley was a former Tennessee All-State, All-Region, All-District defender for his Fairview men's soccer team. His success on the pitch translated to the classroom as Shelley graduated with an honors diploma for his academic achievements during his four-year career.
Gray Smith (Pinehurst, North Carolina / Pinecrest)
Freshman | Defense
Smith comes to Lees-McRae as a former North Carolina All-State, All-Region, and All-Conference defender from Pinecrest High School. In addition to being a leader on the field as one of the main defenders, Smith achieved success in the classroom as he was a member of the National Honor Society as well as being named to the Honor Roll during his four-year career in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Elijah Stout (Woodstock, Georgia / Etowah)
Freshman | Defense
Stout joins the Bobcats as a freshman defender from Etowah High School in Woodstock, Georgia as a former Southeast All-American. In addition to earned All-American status in the region, Stout also earned the captain role of the Generation Adidas team for which he was the main defender during his final season.
M.J. Upchurch (Cheverly, Maryland / Young Harris)
Junior | Goalkeeper
Upchurch comes to Banner Elk as a junior transfer from NCAA Division II Young Harris College, where he served as one of goalkeepers during his first two seasons. Originally from Cheverly, Maryland, Upchurch brings a level of experience in goal to a younger goalkeeping squad for the Bobcats. His success on the field translated in the classroom as he earned Dean's List honors for his academic achievements during his time in Georgia.
Erick Uvalle (Summerville, South Carolina / Cane Bay)
Freshman | Defense
Uvalle comes to Lees-McRae as a freshman defender from Cane Bay High School, where he earned the Varsity Most Valuable Player award for his success on the pitch. In addition to earned the athletic award for Cane Bay, Uvalle also garnered the South Carolina High School League Scholar-Athlete Award based on his academic achievements in Summerville, South Carolina.
Marshall Vaters (Fort Myers, Florida / Fort Myers)
Freshman | Defense
Vaters comes to Lees-McRae from Fort Myers, where he was a standout defender for both his high school men's soccer program, as well as the San Carlos Park Scorpions Soccer Club. His success as a defender translated off the field as Vaters achieved academic success throughout his high school career.
Nick Vences (Pinehurst, North Carolina / Pinecrest)
Freshman | Forward
Vences joins the Bobcats as the second member from Pinecrest High School from Pinehurst, North Carolina, where he joined
Gray Smith as an All-Region and All-State forward. In addition to being named to both of these teams, Vences also garnered Conference Player of the Year honors for being a productive forward for his high school squad.
Harrison Watts (Clarksville, Tennessee / Clarksville)
Freshman | Forward
Watts comes to Banner Elk as a three-time Player of the Year from Clarksville High School in Tennessee for his high production during his four-year career. In addition to achieving Player of the Year status, Watts was also named the Most Valuable Player in region during his senior year.
Nate Whited (Snead Ferry, North Carolina / Dixon)
Freshman | Midfield
Whited comes to Lees-McRae from Dixon High School in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, where he garnered All-Conference and All-Region honors by controlling the midfield during his four-year high school career. His success on the field translated in the classroom as he earned Honor Roll status for his academic achievements.
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