By Chris Parker
Fair Grove soccer won six games in the first season under head coach Ryan Highstreet last season. That number could increase this season with six starters and 12 lettermen returning.
Highstreet identified Jacob Shurtz (sophomore forward), Gavin Brock (junior midfielder) and Eli Sanders (junior midfielder) as team leaders.
Shurtz earned Class 1 Honorable Mention All-State honors as a freshman after scoring 23 goals and assisting on six others. Sanders had three goals and one assist last season.
Shurtz will be joined at forward by Jackson Anderson (senior) and Ryan Blecher (sophomore). Blecher had three goals in 2023.
The midfield will feature Connor Ridinger (sophomore) and Owen Schlack (senior) in addition to Sanders and Brock.
Finn Harp (sophomore), Jon Peak (junior), Grant Fuller (junior) and Tyler Whitehead (freshman) will be at defender.
Wes Hart will be the goalkeeper in his junior year after starting 18 games as a sophomore.
“We will be more athletic, better conditioned and stronger on the field. We also will have a better team camaraderie,” Highstreet said.
Fair Grove opens the regular season on Aug. 31 at home against Marshfield.
“(We want to be) a team that is tough to play against,” Highstreet said. “We want to be all over the ball and not make it easy for anyone. Be relentless.”
