(Glenwood) — One of the most prolific boys soccer players in the area, Virginio Rangel Gonzalez of Glenwood, has made his college decision in signing with Iowa Central recently.

“It’s a next step in my soccer career,” Rangel Gonzalez said. “It’s a dream come true.”

While wrapping up a distinguished career with the Rams, Rangel Gonzalez has posted 15 goals and two assists in his senior season. He also totaled 13 goals and 14 assists in his previous three years while helping Glenwood win 46 times.

“(Iowa Central) is not far from home,” Rangel Gonzalez added. “At first, I went all the way to Reno to check out a junior college, but I came back and was realizing why go far for a community college when there’s a lot here in Iowa. Financially, it’s a cheaper option, too, so I was looking at Iowa Western and Iowa Central and a couple other ones.”

Rangel Gonzalez started a dialogue with the Tritons over email and eventually decided to check out the Fort Dodge campus.

“I just liked it,” he said. “It’s a beautiful campus. It’s close to Des Moines, so I just went with my gut and committed to Iowa Central. 

“It’s been a goal since middle school and since I started playing club. I realized that after high school, college soccer is a thing I wanted to do. A lot of players go to JUCO to build up their skills and then try to make it on to bigger colleges. I feel like that’s the best route for me as of right now.”

Listen to much more with Rangel Gonzalez on his college decision in the audio file below.

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer head coach Katie Hultin announced the additions of Cayla Jackson (Clermont, Fla.) and Lauren Smith (Frisco, Texas) to the Fighting Illini roster for the 2025 season. 

CAYLA JACKSON | FORWARD | CLERMONT, FLA. | GEORGIA // EAST RIDGE HS // TAMPA BAY UNITED

ABOUT JACKSON

Made 16 appearances, seven starts, in her freshman season at Georgia
Scored the game-winning goal on her collegiate debut vs. Illinois on Sept. 5, 2024
Played for Tampa Bay United ECNL and East Ridge High School
Ranked in IMG Top 150 rankings
Named to First Team ECNL in 2021-22 and Second Team ECNL in 2022-23
Selected to ECNL Girls National Training Camp in 2022
Helped lead Tampa Bay United to ECNL U16 Final Four
Selected to ODP and USYNT U-14, U15, and U-16 player pools
Twice named to Orlando Sentinel First Team All-Central Florida
Named to three All-Area First Teams
Set school records for most goals in season and career
Captained East Ridge for two seasons
Scored 46 goals with 22 assists in junior season
Scored 38 goals with 17 assists in sophomore season and earned district championship.

Jackson joins the Illini after spending 2024 at Georgia. During her freshman campaign with the Bulldogs, Jackson scored one goal, on her collegiate debut vs. Illinois on Sept. 5, in 10 appearances, all coming off of the bench.

HULTIN’S TAKE: “We’re excited to welcome Cayla Jackson to our Fighting Illini famILLy. After a solid year at Georgia and a standout youth career, Cayla has proven herself to be a smart, technical and dynamic player. She brings a high level of skill and creativity to the field, but just as importantly, she’s a person of strong character, with an incredible work ethic, a positive attitude, and natural leadership qualities that will make an immediate impact.” 

WHY ILLINOIS: “I chose Illinois because it felt like home. My father went to Illinois State and this is the second time I’ve been recruited by the University with a completely different staff. I also scored my first collegiate goal versus Illinois and I feel as though God’s purpose was for me to be here.”

LAUREN SMITH | DEFENDER | FRISCO, TEXAS | TEXAS TECH // MEMORIAL HS // STING DALLAS BLACK 06

ABOUT SMITH

Was a mid-year enrollee at Texas Tech…did not feature in a game with the Red Raiders
Two-time all-district selection at Memorial HS
Was named team’s defensive player of the year as a freshman
Attended elementary and middle school with current Illini Bella Zanoni

Smith joins the Illini after spending the spring at Texas Tech as an early enrollee. She was a two-time all-district selection at Memorial HS, where she tallied 10 goals in her high school career. She was also named the team’s defensive player of the year as a freshman.

HULTIN’S TAKE: “We’re excited to add Lauren Smith to our program. She had a strong youth career and gained valuable experience this spring that has prepared her well for the college level. Lauren will be a great addition to our back line. She’s athletic, dominant in the air and brings a relentless mentality when it comes to protecting our goal. We’re looking forward to the impact she’ll make in our defensive unit.” 

WHY ILLINOIS: “I chose Illinois because I feel it is the best fit for me and will give me the best opportunity both athletically and academically.”

Eleven Carson High athletes have signed national letters of intent with colleges. Those players, which were provided by the school’s athletic administration, include:

Division I

* Sawyer Macy, cross country and track, Lehigh University

* Dominic Porter, wrestling, Mercyhurst University

* Aurora Giurlani, cheerleading, Nevada

Division II

* Sergio Villanueva, football, Wooster College

Division III

* Ewan Kalley, men’s swimming, University of Redlands

* Johan Lizarraga, men’s soccer, Concordia College

* Joshua Lopez, men’s soccer, Concordia College

NAIA

* London Bishop, cheerleading, Carroll College

* Angelo Macias, football, University of St. Mary

Junior college

* Alondra Carrillo, women’s soccer Truckee Meadows Community College

* Danika Presswood, softball, Northeast Iowa Community College

WILSON, N.C. — May 21, 2025 — Barton College is pleased to welcome its newest members to the Board of Trustees. These distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience and leadership across various fields, from marketing and healthcare to sports management and business operations, and will play a key role in advancing the College’s mission. 

“This group of accomplished leaders join an already strong and dedicated board, and their collective expertise and insight further expand the intellectual capital and experience guiding Barton’s future,”  shared Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president.  “Our new trustees not only enhance the profile of the College across the region and the nation, but—most importantly—they share a deep commitment to our students, our mission, and the continued growth of both Barton and the Wilson community. Their leadership and investment will help advance the forward momentum of our institution and our hometown.”

About the Newly Installed Members of the Board of Trustees — 

Mark Hillard received his business degree from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in 1981. He began his healthcare career in California in 1984, relocating to Arizona in 1990, and continuing in healthcare administration until retiring in May 2022. Mr. Hillard held various positions in healthcare administration early in his career in California and Arizona.  Most notable is his Chief Executive Officer position at Maricopa Integrated Health System (the Maricopa County health system now Valleywise Health), and Chief Operations Officer of University Physicians Health Plans in Tucson, Arizona.  He served as Chief Financial Officer with the parent companies of St. Luke’s Health System and Maricopa Integrated Health System. Mr. Hillard has served on several boards, including Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Mercy Care Health Plan, Phoenix Area Medical Education Consortium, and Arizona Care Network.  He and his wife Julie live in Scottsdale, Arizona and have two sons.

Rebecca Howard is an alumna of Barton College, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in English with a Drama minor in 1993. She currently serves as Vice President of Marketing for FCI Brands in Nashville, Tennessee, and is responsible for directing the company’s national marketing and sales initiatives. Prior to this appointment in 2008, Ms. Howard served as the Assistant Director for Marketing, Statistical Analysis, and Training for the American Red Cross Regional Blood Services in Norfolk, Virginia and was the recipient of the National Tiffany Award for Outstanding Leadership.  Ms. Howard lives in Huntersville, North Carolina with her wife, Chrisy.

Elmer Polite is the President of Lifepoint Health’s Eastern Division and Duke-Lifepoint Joint Venture. In this role, Mr. Polite provides operational oversight for Lifepoint’s acute care hospitals in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Prior to his interim president role, he served as chief financial officer of the Eastern Division, overseeing financial operations for 26 hospital campuses located in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Mr. Polite earned his Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and also in Agribusiness and Economics from South Carolina State University.  He also completed a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from DeVry University.  Mr. Polite has three children and lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife, Tonya.

Rick Schlesinger is President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team. He is in his 22nd season with the Brewers and sixth in his current position after being promoted in 2019. He has previously held roles with the organization as executive vice president of business operations (2003-10) and chief operating officer (2011-18). Prior to joining the organization, Schlesinger spent five seasons (1998-2002) as vice president of business and legal affairs/assistant general manager for the Anaheim Angels. He previously worked for Walt Disney Pictures and Television in motion picture development and production (1993-1998) and at the Los Angeles law firm of Latham and Watkins (1986-1993).  Mr. Schlesinger is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, and received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School (cum laude) in 1986. A native of Bayside, Wisconsin, he currently resides in Hartland, Wisconsin, with his wife, Kate. They have five children, Bradley, Sam, Caitlin, Molly, and Mathieu.

Corey Taylor is a graduate of Barton College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Psychology with a concentration in Management in 1994. A member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, he was also a four-year starter on the Barton Soccer Team and was inducted into the Barton College Soccer Hall of Fame in‬ 2011.‬‬ Mr. Taylor currently serves as the Director of Client‬ Relations for Corporate Payroll Services and is responsible for the Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, and Philadelphia offices. He lives in Monroe, North Carolina with his wife, Sherri, and they have two sons, Cameron and Nicholas.

Sheila Wiggins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities at East Carolina University. Now a retired educator, Mrs. Wiggins’ professional career included teaching appointments in the Vance County and Nash County School Systems, as well as Nash Community College and Barton College. She has served on a number of Boards of Directors, including the Arts Council of Wilson, the Barton College Alumni Board and Board of Advisors, as well as the Auxiliary Board of the Wilson Medical Center, the Parents Council at Meredith College, and the Weekday School Board for the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson. The Wiggins are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson, where she has served as chair of the Christian Education Ministries, deacon, elder, and Clerk of Session. Mrs. Wiggins is married to Jack and they have two children, Farrell and Barker.

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