GARBERDING, KELLY TO JOIN INCOMING WOMEN’S SOCCER FRESHMAN CLASS
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Bill Bahr, head coach of the Olivet Nazarene University women's soccer program, has announced two new additions to the incoming 2024 freshman class. Cassidy Garberding and Mia Kelly will be joining the roster prior to the upcoming fall season.
Jersey #: 4
Position: Forward/wing
Height: 5' 5"
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
High School: Northwest Christian School
Club Team: Phoenix Rising ENCL - RL
Parents: Terry & Gailynn Garberding
Siblings: Carly Garberding (plays soccer @ D3 George Fox University)
Major: Nursing
Minor:
Awards/Recognition (Soccer):
1st Team All-State (called All-Conference in AZ) (Sr), 1st Team All-Region x2 (Jr & Sr), 3A Central Region Player of the Year (Sr), Team Captain (Sr), Mighty-in-Spirit Award (Sr), 1st Team All-State Academic x4, 2nd Team All-Region (So), Honorable Mention All Region (Fr), AZ 3A Team State Champion x2 (Fr & So), Team Region Champion x4 (Sr, Jr, So, Fr)
Non-Soccer activities/awards:
Cheerleader (Sr, Jr, So, Fr), Cheer Captain (Sr), All-American Cheerleader (Sr)
American Legion Auxiliary AZ Girls State Delegate (Jr)
State Track Qualifier/ Place Winner (4 x 400 relay) (Fr)
National Honor Society
Community Group Leader (Jr & Sr)
Band (1st Chair Flute) (Fr)
Why Olivet?
I've always wanted to go to a Christian University and knew I wanted to go somewhere out of state to experience different seasons. I love Coach Bahr and the soccer program and I'm super excited for my time at Olivet.
Jersey #: 7
Position: Center Midfield
Height: 5'5''
Hometown: Geneseo, IL
High School: Geneseo High School
Club Team: N/A
Parents: Ryan and Amanda Kelly
Siblings: Drew and Addi Kelly
Major: Interior Design
Minor: Business
Awards/Recognition (soccer): Academic All-Conference
Non-Soccer activities/awards: Tennis, Basketball, FCA, Dance Marathon Captain, Illinois State Scholar, All-Metro Tennis 2022, Western Big 6 All Conference Basketball 2023, Academic All-Conference Basketball & Tennis
Why Olivet? - I was originally drawn to Olivet for the way it prioritized faith and the outstanding interior design program. After officially deciding that Olivet is where I wanted to spend the next four years, I looked into the soccer program and was immediately impressed. I became very excited about the idea of playing college soccer and felt that Olivet was where I wanted to continue both my academic and athletic career.
--ONU—
*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu