Feb. 8, 2008

Greenville, S.C. -- Two all-americans, four region team players and a member of the United States Under-17 World Cup squad highlight Furman's seven-member men's soccer signing class announced on Thursday by head coach Doug Allison.

The seven-man class includes Eric Cobleigh (Acworth, Ga.), Warren Creavalle (Acworth, Ga.), Coleton Henning (Shawnee, Kan.), Walker Jernigan (Decatur, Ga.), Alec Kann (Decatur, Ga.), Chris Klute (Grand Prairie, Texas) and Amadu Ndiaye (Doraville, Ga.).

"We are very excited about the seven new student-athletes in our 2007 class," said Allison. "We feel we have addressed our needs, and we are hoping for good things on the field and in the classroom from the incoming class, many of whom could have an impact immediately. Coach (Derek) Marinatos has done an excellent job of indentifying student-athletes who are the correct fit for FurmanUniversity and I know they are all eager to join our family."

Henning is a two-time NSCAA/adidas High School All-American and two-time Gatorade Kansas State Player-of-the-Year honoree while Klute, a member of the 2007 U.S. U-17 World Cup squad, was recently named NSCAA/adidas Youth All-America.

Furman is coming off one of its most successful seasons in school history. The Paladins posted a 19-4-0 record and top 25 national ranking. Allison's squad claimed the Southern Conference regular season and tournament crowns before advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In January, all-americans Jon Leathers and Shea Salinas were both selected in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft.

Eric Cobleigh

Midfielder

5-11, 140

Acworth, Georgia

Prep standout at Harrison High School... Led Harrison to the 2007 AAAAA State ttile while leading the team with 26 goals... Earned Atlanta Journal Constitution and Marietta Daily Journal Player-of-the-Year honors... Garnered team MVP, first team all-county and first team All-Northwest Georgia citations... Has scored 50 goals and totaled 31 assists in first three prep seasons... A member of the Cobb FC `89 Premier club team... Guided Cobb FC to second place finish at state and semifinal showing at the Southern Regional... garnered No. 11 national ranking... Also a member of the Georgia ODP squad.

Warren Creavalle

Defender/Midfielder

5-11, 160

Acworth, Georgia

Four-year letterman at North Cobb High School... Helped his team to 16-6-0 record and state final four appearance last season... Named team MVP as a junior... A member of the North Atlanta Soccer Association... Led club to Region III Premier League title, Atlanta Cup championship and No. 16 national ranking while pacing the team in goals... Member of the Georgia State ODP team and Region III squad... Participated in the Adidas Top ESP Camp... Brother of Furman Lady Paladin defender Ashley Creavalle.

Coleton Henning

Midfielder

5-11, 170

Shawnee, Kansas

Two-time NSCAA/adidas All-American... Named NSCAA and Gatorade Kansas State Player-of-the-Year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School... Garnered all-midwest, all-state and all-league honors as a junior and senior after missing most of his first two high school campaigns due to knee injuries... Two-time league offensive player-of-the-year helped St. Thomas Aquinas to four straight league, region and state championships and a national top 25 ranking in three of the four seasons... Posted a four-year high school record of 68-14-2... Played club soccer for five-time state champions Kansas City Futbol Club... Guided club to three Border Battle titles and Disney Tournament semifinals... Captain of the Kansas ODP squad and member of the Region II team.

Walker Jernigan

Defender/Midfielder

5-11, 155

Decatur, Georgia

Played midfield and defender at The Paideia School... Earned Atlanta Journal Constitution All-City accolades three consecutive seasons... Guided Paideia to the 2005 state playoffs... Began his club career with Cobb FC... Helped Cobb to a state title, region semifinal appearance and Region III Premier League championship... Starred for the Concorde Fire Elite this past season... A member of the Georgia ODP team and Region III squad.

Alex Kann

Goalkeeper

6-4, 195

Decatur, Georgia

Three-year starter and teammate of fellow Furman signee Amadu Ndiaye at Lakeside High School... Guided the Vikings to AAAA semifinal apperance as a sophmore and quarterfinal showing last season... Earned Captain Award and Lakeside Viking Award for most outstanding student-athlete in 2007... Plays club soccer in the Region III Premier League for Tucker Youth Soccer Association... Helped the club to the 2004 and 2005 Classic 1 state titles... A member of the Georgia ODP and Region III ODP teams.

Chris Klute

Defender

6-1, 160

Grand Prairie, Texas

Will enroll at Furman in the Spring... A 2007 NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American selection and member of the United States Under-17 National Team... Started in one match and helped the U.S. earn a spot in the round of 16 at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea... Has totaled seven starts scoring one goal for the U-17 team... Prepped at Grand Prairie High School before attending Edison Academic Center... Garnered first team all-district accolades as a sophomore at Grand Prairie... Played club soccer for Dallas Texans South and is a member of the Texas ODP team... Also a member of the Region III squad... Named to Inter-Regional All-Star team in 2006.

Amadu Ndiaye

Defender

5-11, 155

Doraville, Ga.

Four-year letterwinner and teammate of fellow Furman signee Alec Kann at Lakeside High School... Has helped Lakeside to three consecutive playoff appearances, including a trip to the state semifinals as a sophomore... Garnered team defensive MVP honors... Plays club soccer for the Tucker Youth Soccer Association in the Region III Premier League... Helped TYSA to the Tampa Sunbowl, Charlotte Shootout, Germantown, Jefferson Cup and GSA SuperCup championships.

2008 Signing Class

Name Pos. Hometown Previous School Club Team

Eric Cobleigh MF Acworth, Ga. Harrison High School Cobb FC `89 Premier

Warren Creavalle D/MF Acworth, Ga. North Cobb High School North Atlanta Soccer Association

Coleton Henning MF/F Shawnee, Kan. St. Thomas Aquinas High School Kansas City Futbal Club

Walker Jernigan D/MF Decatur, Ga. The Paideia School CobbFC/Concorde Fire Elite

Alec Kann GK Decatur, Ga. Lakeside High School Tucker Youth Soccer Association

Chris Klute D Grand Prairie, Texas Edison Acdemic Center Dallas Texans South

Amadu Ndiaye D Doraville, Ga. Lakeside High School Tucker Youth Soccer Association