The Dayton Flyers received a commitment from Muncie, IN, native Gretchen Echelbarger recently, the first 2002 commitment in a class that should be as strong as any in recent memory if rumors hold true. For Echelbarger however, playing for the Flyers wasn’t a tough choice at all and only when Head Coach Mike Tucker gave her the thumbs up did she realize her lifelong dream she’d had since the age of 12. Just named the East Central Indiana Player of the Year by soccer coaches and media personnel from a multi-county area, Echelbarger made a name for herself despite battling two ACL injuries in the last couple years that perhaps scared some schools away. But Dayton remained convinced and knowing Coach Tucker’s eye for talent, everyone else’s loss should turn into UD’s gain. Currently starring for the ISA Lightning soccer club, Echelbarger’s team has won two consecutive state cups and continues to be one of the most talented programs in the state of Indiana. In HS, she’s been a four-year player for a program only four years old and has walked away as the Most Valuable Offensive Player three times, All-North Central Conference three times, and the league’s Most Valuable Player twice. Only her ACL injuries kept her from adding to those awards as she sat out her entire junior year.

UDP: What was the driving factor behind choosing the Univ. Dayton to continue your soccer career and what schools were you deciding among?

GE: The driving factor for me in choosing the University of Dayton is that it has been my school of choice since I was about 12. I always said that I was going to attend and play soccer for UD. The main school I chose against was Ball State. Other schools that recruited me were Kent State, University of Toledo, smaller schools, such as Manchester College, Ferris State. I had a disadvantage due to my ACL surgeries my junior year.

UDP: Briefly talk about your current HS team and how they’ve fared this season.

GE: Going into high school, my freshman year was the first year for a soccer program. I was the only one that has ever played soccer. It was difficult but very challenging in that I had to step up, learn to take people on more one-vs-one, and get more physical. I accomplished that because I lead my team to the first sectional victory this year. Due to my ACL surgeries, I missed all of my junior year.

UDP: Your club team, ISA Lightning has won back-to-back Indiana state cups in their age group. What’s been the key to so much success?

GE: The key to my club team’s success is that we have always stuck together. We won state as young U-12 year olds, and then were always ranked #1, but would get upset at state. Most teams would have players leave to go to different teams, but ISA always stayed strong and now I feel like we are unstoppable in Indiana.

UDP: What are your initial impressions of Coach Mike Tucker and his staff, as well as the current players?

GE: My initial impression of Coach Tucker and his staff is that I cannot find a better college with a better staff than they have at UD. Coach Tucker seems like a father to those girls and really looks out for them. As far as the girls, when I made my college visit, I was welcomed and felt like I fit right in.

UDP: You’ve had to overcome a couple ACL injuries of late. What were the circumstances of the injuries and how has the recovery progressed?

GE: What happened with my ACLs is I tore my left knee in June 2000 and had my surgery beginning of July 2001. I made a great recovery, and 4-5 months after surgery, went up for a jump shot in a varsity basketball game and felt a pop in the same leg. I knew immediately I tore my ACL. I only partially re-tore it the second time so the Doctors didn’t think I tore it and thought I re-tore my meniscus. They went in to scope my knee, had to remove about 30% of my meniscus, and saw that I retore my ACL. I had my second ACL surgery in January 2001. I had to have my graph taken from my right leg, so I ended up rehabbing two legs. I again made a good recovery, where two and half months after surgery, Mike Tucker saw me play, and then I knew I had a spot on UD.

UDP: Where do you see yourself playing for the Flyers or has that topic even been discussed?

GE: I see myself playing as a forward or as a midfielder for the Flyers. I am a very versatile player. I can play anywhere, but I think those positions will be where I am used.

UDP: If you were hadicapping Gretchen Echelbarger’s game, what strengths would she immediately bring to the Flyers and what areas should she work on between now and next summer?

GE: The strengths I would bring to the Flyers would be speed and aggressiveness. My first touch is good as well as my heading. I am very fast and really work and win many balls. What I will work on a lot before I go to UD is one-vs-one moves and crossing. I want my crossing ability to be at top when I get to Dayton.

UDP: Finish this sentence…”Dayton soccer is…

GE: “Dayton soccer is one step above what I am use to. For me to contribute, I will give it everything I have and start working now to become the best player for my teammates.”