Des Moines Register’s High 10 Iowa highschool soccer gamers in 2024
Here is a have a look at The Register’s High 10 Iowa highschool soccer gamers in 2024.
Williamsburg’s Rayce Heitman knew he’d received an Iowa state soccer title earlier than the championship sport ended.
The 2-way Raiders participant – then a junior, within the 2023 season – helped his teammates submit a shutout over Bishop Heelan and declare this system’s first state championship in soccer.
And it was Heitman who delivered the intestine punch towards Heelan, taking a direct snap on fourth-and-goal and scoring what can be the ultimate landing of the sport halfway by the fourth quarter.
He virtually by no means left the sphere in that sport, contributing on offense, main the staff in tackles (with 9 solo takedowns) and serving because the Raiders’ kick and punt returner.
This season, his senior yr, he took on bigger roles and excelled. He led Williamsburg in receiving yards and touchdowns on offense, whole tackles on protection and returned greater than two dozen kicks or punts.
In the midst of all of it, he dedicated to his favourite school soccer program. And on Wednesday, Heitman will signal on with Iowa soccer as a most well-liked walk-on.
“I grew up an Iowa fan,” Heitman advised the Des Moines Register. “Ever since I used to be little, I’ve been going to Iowa video games and at all times been cheering on the Hawkeyes.”
Heitman’s lifelong dream of enjoying in an Iowa jersey outdated scholarship gives, together with a Division I invitation from South Dakota. However going to high school and enjoying soccer near household and associates – Williamsburg is half-hour from Iowa Metropolis – performed a component, as effectively.
For Heitman, there’s a piece of dwelling already on the Hawkeyes’ roster: former Raiders teammate and present Iowa linebacker Derek Weisskopf.
“He performed a component in my resolution to commit,” Heitman shared. “I’ve talked to him quite a bit. I’ve been associates with him since he moved right here, so I’ve at all times been in communication with him. After which having (former Iowa participant and) coach (Austin) Blythe at soccer helped too.”
Heitman, one in every of Williamsburg’s do-it-all athletes, was initially recruited as a linebacker by Iowa’s teaching workers, however he’s since been recruited as a defensive again. The 6-foot-2 senior doesn’t care what place Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and firm need him to play; he’s simply joyful to be dedicated to a Division I program.
“High quality by me,” he mentioned of the swap. “I’ll simply play soccer.”
Heitman is trying ahead to beginning school and making new associates and, after all, becoming a member of the Hawkeye soccer program. Dream come true doesn’t adequately describe what it was like for him to obtain the preliminary walk-on supply and subsequently commit.
He wished his senior season may’ve led to victory (Williamsburg misplaced within the round-of-16), however he’s excited by the chance to play someplace on the subsequent stage. That isn’t one thing Heitman takes without any consideration.
And for different athletes who may need an analogous recruiting expertise, Heitman shared a easy piece of recommendation.
“Put your title on the market and see what occurs.”
Alyssa Hertel is the school sports activities recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
