April 8, 2010

Rio soccer signs Circleville's Wolfe

Rio Grande --- Diehard Rio Grande basketball fans remember the name of Kent Wolfe. Wolfe was a standout hoops player who played for Rio Grande from 1982-86. He scored 1,388 career points and is in the top 20 on the all-time scoring list. There will be a second generation Wolfe at Rio Grande as Kent's son Kort has signed a national letter of intent to play soccer for Rio Grande beginning in the fall of 2010.

Wolfe, a 5'7" forward, played for Rio alum Steve Wastier at Circleville High School. "I'm looking forward to playing with a such a great program," Wolfe said. "They have a winning program and my mom and dad both went to Rio." 

Wolfe cited the reasons for choosing Rio Grande. "How close it is going to be (to home)," Wolfe said. "It's right in the middle between my mom and dad."

"I chose Rio also because of the soccer program," Wolfe added.

"There is a funny story about Kort," said Rio Grande head coach Scott Morrissey. "Kort came to our team camp with the Circleville High School team three years ago and I thought the boy was a senior then."

"I was really excited about how he played as a sophomore in high school," Morrissey said. "He's a great athlete, someone that has a chance (to make varsity), he just needs to work on it."

"He's a great athlete, he just needs to be surrounded by good, quality players, he's going to improve a lot and if he works hard at it he's got a chance," Morrissey said. "We're excited about Kort, great athlete as I said, speed, good understanding of the game, got a good nose for the goal and someone we're really excited to have come on board with us."

Wolfe talked about his strengths as a player and what he feels he needs to improve on as he prepares to play at the college level. "I'm quick and a good passer. I need to work on communication," Wolfe said.

The Wolfe name is remembered around Rio Grande in basketball circles. Kort wants the name to be bandied about in the soccer realm as well. "My goal is to be the best I can, maybe break some records and get my name out there."

Kort is currently undecided on a major.

He is the son of Kent Wolfe and Jodi Beckley. 

He joins Daniel Scott of Warren High School, Tyler Kuhner, Jordan Jenkins and Paul Wyatt Smith of Zane Trace High School as the current members of the 2010 Rio Grande men's soccer recruiting class.

Rio Grande finished the 2009 season with an 18-3-3 record and advanced to the NAIA semifinals for the fourth time in school history.