Day: January 28, 2021

Ever since he was a little kid, it was Josh Yarnall’s dream to play soccer at the collegiate level.

“Whenever I was a little kid, I wasn’t the smartest or wasn’t the best at reading,” Yarnall said when asked what the game of soccer means to him. “But when I played soccer, I felt like I was on an even field with everyone. I played soccer from a very young age and growing up, I knew that is what I wanted to do in the future.”

The Joplin senior realized that dream on Wednesday, as Yarnall, with family by his side, signed a letter of intent to attend Central Methodist University. 

“It feels amazing,” Yarnall said. “I have had a lot of great offers and a lot of great opportunities. I’m really grateful Central Methodist offered because they have a lot of the things I want both academically and for sports.”

Yarnall had several schools who were interested in him—Columbia College, Hannibal-LaGrange University and Wingate University. Of course, when it came to Central Methodist, the Eagles checked all the boxes.

“For one, I wanted to go into nursing and they have a great nursing program there,” Yarnall said. “But they are also the defending NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) champions for the past two years, so they have a great soccer program. I am really glad that I get to be a part of that.”

How will Yarnall be used at Central Methodist? He has an idea from the coaching staff on what the plan will be to start his career, noting he could see time at several positions.

“They have a very direct kind of play,” Yarnall said. “They will probably have me at defender or midfielder. But they also like to rotate players around. I have had to play throughout my soccer career, so I am excited to see where they put me out there.”

Yarnall is ready to get his collegiate soccer career started, and has already set several goals for himself in his first season.

“Right now, my earliest goal is to help defend the NAIA National Championship,” Yarnall said. “I hope that I will be able to make it to the first team there. Those are my goals while keeping my grades up.”