RICCA SOPER TO PLAY GOLF, BASKETBALL FOR IOWA LAKES

A standout Lakes Conference athlete has signed with Iowa Lakes Community College to play both golf – and women’s basketball.

Iowa Lakes Golf Coach, Dan Soper, and Iowa Lakes Women’s Basketball Coach, Brian Radtke, jointly announced the signing of Ricca Soper, a prominent player in four sports at Estherville Lincoln Central, who signed a national letter of intent Thursday.

Soper is winding down a four-sport career at Estherville Lincoln Central where she will have earned 17 Varsity letters and All Lakes Conference, All District and All State honors.

On the links, Soper will be heading into her senior season as a three-year letter winner and a two-time All Lakes conference performer the last two seasons including Lakes Conference Medalist Honors as a sophomore for Coach Kevin Richardson.

"Ricca is a great competitor with a lot of athletic ability, narrowing her concentration on golf and basketball will help her tremendously in both sports." Coach Soper said of his daughter. "I expect Ricca to step in and be a top performer for the Lakers over the next two years."

In basketball, Soper, a 5’7" guard, averaged 13 points, 2 steals, 3 assists per game and shot 46 percent from the 3- point line this past season. She was also Second Team All-Conference this past year. Soper played her high school basketball for Coach Brad Leonard at Estherville High School.

"Ricca is quick on defense and sees the floor well," says Coach Radtke. "She has the ability to shoot the ball from the outside and will have an impact right away on our team. I look forward to Ricca playing basketball at Iowa Lakes."

And her academic credentials were also lauded. Soper has excelled in the classroom with a grade point average in excess of 3.8 and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society.

"In addition to her golf talents, Ricca is an exceptional student. Her induction into the National Honor Society is a testament to the quality of student and person she is." Soper added, "She will have a very successful future on and off the golf course."

Ricca Soper is the daughter of Dan Soper and Marilyn Soper of Estherville and will be majoring in Accounting while at Iowa Lakes.