January 23, 2002

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Garrett Owens (San Antonio, Texas) recently traveled to Cocoa Beach, Fla., to participate in the second annual InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine that was held on Jan. 12-14. Owens, a defensive standout for the men's soccer team this year, impressed the numerous coaches on hand as he completed various training drills in hopes of landing a spot with a professional soccer league.

The coaches in attendance, which included representatives from Major League Soccer, A-League and D-3 league teams, were most impressed by Owens' forty-yard dash time. His 4.3 forty was among the best times in the combine and his outstanding performance in the training exercises overall led to him being named to the InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine all-star team.

"The level of competition at the combine was extremely high," Owens said. "Every second was very intense because you knew someone was always watching. Taking it easy was not an option."

The combine is in its second year of existence and is used as a vehicle to provide exposure and facilitate the marketability of those players who attend. The combine is designed to improve a players chances of either getting drafted by a professional soccer league team or help sign a free agent contract with one. Now that Owens has completed the combine, his complete player profile and scouting report will be sent to all of the teams that were represented at the event.