Feb. 15, 2007

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M men's and women's soccer head coach Butch Lauffer has announced the signing of five student-athletes for the fall of 2007. The men's program signed three athletes, Chris Chiakpo, John Manley and Oliver Mulamba, while the Lady Buffs announced two signees, Samantha Garland and Kirsten Wallace.

On the men's side Chiakpo transfers from Division I Central Connecticut State, where he saw limited playing time. Chiakpo graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas, where the team was a state semi-finalist in 2004. He was a three sport athlete in high school, earning letters in football and track and was named All-District in both sports.

Manley graduated from Klein Collins High School in 2006, where he started and played in all 16 games as a senior. Manley also scored 12 goals and tallied 10 assists as a senior.

Mulamba transfers from Texas A&M-International, where he was named first team All-Heartland Conference. He started and played 14 games, with nine shots and four on goal. Mulamba graduated from Bracken High School in South Africa.

The women's team signed Garland, who attends Boswell High School in Saginaw, Texas. Garland was named All-District First Team after her sophomore and junior seasons and honorable mention All-District as a freshman. She lettered in cross country for one year, track four times and was a kicker for the football team for three seasons.

Wallace is attending Coronado High School in Lubbock. Wallace is a versatile athlete capable of playing defense, midfield and forward. She lettered in track four times and also played volleyball.

"These five kids will help immediately for both programs, said Lauffer. "All five of them will dress the needs we had at the end of last season."

All five athletes will be eligible to play soccer for the WTAMU in the fall.