Five All-America Honorees, U.S. National Team Players Highlight 2004 Recruiting Class

Feb. 18, 2004

DURHAM, N.C. - Five members of the NSCAA All-America team and three players with United States youth national team experience highlight one of the top recruiting classes in the country for the 2004 Duke men's soccer recruiting class. Andrew Antila (Phoenix, Ariz.), Tomek Charowski (Anderson, S.C.), Paul Dudley (Warminster, Pa.), Tim Jepson (Yorba Linda, Calif.), Justin Papadakis (Roswell, Ga.), Zachary Pope (Round Rock, Texas), Michael Videira (Milford, Mass.) and Spencer Wadsworth (Dallas, Texas) comprise the 2004 Duke men's soccer recruiting class, announced by head coach John Rennie. The class was ranked as one of the best in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer.

"This incoming freshman group is one of the best classes we've ever had at Duke," said Rennie. "We got exactly what we wanted: a large class of outstanding players, well balanced by positions, and full of proven winners with leadership qualities. They are hard workers and will play a large role in what we expect will be an outstanding team."

The 2004 class:

VIDEIRA, Michael
6-1 * 170 * Milford, Mass. * Noble and Greenough School
Michael Videira comes to Duke as one of the most experienced members of the United States youth national team program. During the last year, Videira has played with both the Under-18 and Under-20 National teams. A creative passer and excellent defender, he has a physical presence in the middle of the midfield. As a member of the Region I Olympic Development Program, Videira was named to the Adidas All-Star team at the USYSA Olympic Development Program Interregional event at the ARCO Olympic Training Center last Thanksgiving. Coached by former Blue Devil standout John Kerr, Videira led his FC Greater Boston team to the championship at the prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase in December, as well as the Region I Premier League Championships, Massachusetts State Cup Championship (where he was named the Most Valuable Player) and into the US Club Soccer National Championships in 2003. He was also named the Gatorade State Player of the Year for Massachusetts and to the NSCAA Youth All-America team in 2002. "Michael has been a standout central midfielder at every level he has played at, and we expect that to continue here in college as well," said Rennie. "His play at the international level gives him experience well beyond his years."

CHAROWSKI, Tomek
5-10 * 155 * Anderson, S.C. * Christ Church Episcopal School
Tomek Charowski enters Duke as one of the highest rated and sought after midfielders in the country. He won the Golden Boot award at the 2002 National Championships, which is presented to the Most Outstanding Performer in the tournament, as he helped lead his Atlanta Fire team to the 2002 USYSA National Championships. Teammates on that Atlanta Fire team were current Blue Devil Kyle Helton and incoming classmate Justin Papadakis. Charowski has also played with the United States Under-18 National team and with the Region III Olympic Development Program. He has been a participant at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2002 and 2003, and was an all-star in 2003. An excellent student, Charowski was named both a NSCAA Academic All-America and NSCAA Youth All-America honoree. "Tomek has all of the tools to be a special player," said Rennie, "and he has a lot of the same character traits that Jay Heaps (1998 National Player of the Year) had as a player and leader."

PAPADAKIS, Justin
6-1 * 175 * Roswell, Ga. * St. Dominic's H.S. (Lisbon, Portugal)/Marist [Ga.] H.S.
Justin Papadakis joins the Blue Devils with a tremendous amount of experience playing in the United States and abroad. Justin spent his junior year of high school in Portugal, where he played with Benfica FC's juvenile and junior teams. He won the Golden Gloves award at the 2002 National Championships, which is presented to the Most Outstanding Goalkeeper, en route to helping lead his Atlanta Fire team to the 2002 USYSA National Championships. Teammates on that Atlanta Fire team were current Blue Devil Kyle Helton and incoming classmate Tomek Charowski. Papadakis has played with the United States Under-18 and Under-20 National teams and was recently named to the United Soccer League (USL) Super-Y Region III Olympic Development Program team. Papadakis participated at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2003, and was named an all-star. He was also named to the 2003 NSCAA Youth All-America team. "Justin is going to compete for a starting spot right away," said Rennie. "He has a solid presence in goal and has excellent distribution."

WADSWORTH, Spencer
5-8 * 160 * Dallas, Texas * Plano West Senior H.S.
Spencer Wadsworth enters Duke with a tremendous reputation as a goal scorer at the youth and high school levels. A member of the 2003 NSCAA Youth All-American team, Wadsworth helped lead the Dallas Texans to the Championship of the prestigious Dallas Cup in 2003 and was named Player of the Month by Soccer America for his efforts in that event. As a member of the Region III Olympic Development Program, Wadsworth was named to the Adidas All-Star team at the USYSA Olympic Development Program Interregional event at the ARCO Olympic Training Center this past Thanksgiving. A participant at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2003, Wadsworth was named to the All-Star team after leading his team to the championship in the event. "Spencer's ability to be a legitimate goal-scoring threat adds to an already potent offense," said Rennie, "and he is a bundle of energy when he gets going."

DUDLEY, Paul
6-7 * 195 * Warminster, Pa. * William Tennent H.S.
Paul Dudley arrives at Duke as perhaps the most physically imposing prospect in the country. At 6'7", he has tremendous impact on games in the air, both offensively and defensively. Dudley has helped lead his FC Delco team to a USYSA National Championship in 2001 and to the USYSA National Finals in 2002. Dudley also led his team to the finals at the prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase in December. He was a participant at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) last summer and showed his versatility by playing as both a defensive midfielder and as a forward. A two-sport athlete, Dudley is a standout in both soccer and basketball at William Tennent. "Paul has the potential to be a real impact player at this level," said Rennie. "His physical gifts and versatility make him someone that the opponent always has to worry about."

JEPSON, Tim
6-0 * 175 Yorba Linda, Calif. * Esperanza H.S.
Tim Jepson arrives at Duke with a strong physical presence as a central defender. A member of the California South Olympic Development Program, Jepson plays for the Pateadores SC of Mission Viejo, Calif. Jepson helped lead his team to championships in the prestigious Raleigh Shootout and Nomads Thanksgiving tournaments in 2003. As the captain of the Esperanza H.S. team, Jepson was named Most Valuable Player of the Sunset League last year as a junior. He also has experience playing with the Southern California Seahorses of the Premier Developmental League (PDL). "Tim is a tough defender who is very comfortable with the ball," said Rennie. "He has excellent leadership skills and will be a welcome addition."

POPE, Zachary
5-7 * 140 * Round Rock, Texas * Stony Point H.S.
Zachary Pope enters Duke with the reputation as a very fast and athletic defender. Pope was named as a member of the NSCAA Youth All-America team. He is also a member of the Region III Olympic Development Program as well as the South Texas Olympic Development Program. Pope led his Austin Capitals team to the semifinals of the USYSA Region III Championships last summer and participated in the All-Star game at the Nike Friendlies this past winter. Pope is the captain of the Stony Point High School team, and was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. "Zack is an excellent attacking player for a defender," said Rennie, "and will be able to add depth to our defense and midfield."

ANTILA, Andrew
6-0 * 165 * Phoenix, Ariz. * North Canyon H.S.
Andrew Antila joins the Blue Devils after a very successful youth career as a member of the Sereno Golden Eagles. Antila was a key contributor in the midfield in Sereno's climb to reach the USYSA National Championships in 2002 and 2003, and they were finalists in 2003. Antila has also helped lead his team to championships at the prestigious Nomads Memorial Day and Thanksgiving Championships in 2002. Antila continues the pipeline of players from Arizona to Duke that includes Evan Whitfield (currently with the Chicago Fire) and current seniors Matt Ahumada and Justin Bodiya. "Andrew is a physical and imposing player who can play either in the midfield or defense," said Rennie. "He has been a proven winner at the youth level."

Five All-America Honorees, U.S. National Team Players Highlight 2004 Recruiting Class

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