The 3rd annual Keeper Wars Ink National Championship event was successfully held in Orlando, Florida on July 21-23rd. The event was held in conjunction with the USYS National Championship series and accepted over 250 talented keepers from 30 different states across the US. Participants represented their families, clubs, and state associations, making this event a valid showcase of national talent. The competition took place at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, one of the most highly respected soccer facilities in the country. The event was a memorable experience for all participants and we at Keeper Wars Ink were honored to be a part of it.

The event kicked off with our Opening ceremonies on Friday, July 21st, we honored all 252 National Qualifiers for making it the biggest event of its kind. The event was held at The Stadium and was ushered in by Keeper Wars Ink's very own Jim Clark who set our event off with a bang by bringing out the authentic family feel of what we at Keeper Wars Ink are all about. Casey Clark our CEO came onto the main field and gave praise to all the people who helped make this possible and a few words of motivation on playing the goalkeeper position but also in life. Keeper Wars Ink surprised all our families and had our USYS Goalkeeper Club directors/former professionals give families and participants words of wisdom on how to develop their game to the top level and share the importance of the mind, body, and soul when preparing for the national event and future careers!

As we entered Day 1 of our competition the keepers were welcomed with warm Orlando, Florida weather. A tough acclimation for keepers who have not been through humid heat in their respective parts of the United States. As they say, keepers are tough and they fought through it with a smile on their faces! The only thing that could stop these keepers was the Orlando thundershowers that shut down the complex for multiple hours. The keepers made their way back to the fields and competed until the final whistle. 

The Final day was upon us and with the final day came nerves, excitement, and bumps and bruises from the battles the day before. Keepers were all smiles yet again getting to know their competition and families connecting from all around the US. There is no other competition, that we know of, that has such a fiercely competitive environment but yet a community that accepts all and becomes close during the tournaments. Keeper families understand how hard this position is and our events bring them together to make one of the greatest sports communities we have come to know. As soon as the final whistle blows it is a special site to see both sides shaking hands, congratulating each other, and forming bonds that will last well past our tournament.

On Day 2, the final day came to an end. There was blood, lots of sweat, and both kinds of tears. All of this shows the passion and love they have for their craft of playing keeper. A few were lucky enough to leave with hardware, but all who came and competed left with a memory that will last them a lifetime. All keepers who placed first through third left with medals, winners took home a trophy and the opportunity to say they were among the best in the nation at what they do. (See our list below) 

"I am honored to be able to have such an amazing team, partners, and community that believes in what we do... For that, I am forever grateful. We look forward to what is to come and are excited to continue to give back to the goalkeeper community everything I wish I had growing up. Stay tuned because we at Keeper Wars Ink are not done yet and plan to truly leave this world better than we found it."   

Casey Clark CEO of Keeper Wars Ink 

“I want to personally thank every keeper, every parent, every bro & sis forced to shag balls, and every partner for helping Casey, myself, and our team, build this dream! To those who have been with us since before our 1st event in 2019 and to the new families we met this past season, we are forever grateful for you all. There are no words to describe the GK family, community, and connections that have been born over the past 4 years. I look forward to welcoming new keepers and families into our GK community this year and beyond! I am excited to continue this journey with the ones who are brave enough to put the gloves on and jump in front of all those balls!”  

Tonya Pinkerton, Co-Founder & President of Keeper Wars Ink

Keeper Wars Ink would like to congratulate the following players for placing at the 3rd Annual Keeper Wars Ink/USYS National Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports. We hope to see you all soon to defend your titles and continue building your legacy! 

Click here to visit the 2023-2024 City Tour Schedule. 

Check out Event Footage!

2023-2024 National Champions
	10U-1U Girls	1st Place: Mikayla Moore  | Murfreesboro, TN  2nd Place: Lucille Olivier  | Sunset, LA  3rd Place: Riley Zussman  | Whitefish Bay, WI
	10U-11U Boys	1st Place: Julian Martinez  | Turlock, CA 2nd Place: Nathan Kayondo | Louisville, KY 3rd Place: Manuel Calderon  | Fairfield, CA
	12U-13U Girls	1st Place: Lucy Daggett  | Hendersonville, TN 2nd Place: Liv Anschutz  | San Francisco, CA 3rd Place: Olivia Sanders  | Saint Louis, MO
	12U-13U Boys	1st Place: Blake Meldrum  | Lakeland, FL 2nd Place: Alexi Levchuk  | Upton, MA 3rd Place: Patrick Muehlfellner  | Dunedin, FL
	14U-15U Girls	1st Place: Mia Hurd  | Cedarburg, WI 2nd Place: Rylie Hurst  | Haymarket, VA 3rd Place: Alexa Garcia  | Dover, NH
	14U-15U Boys	1st Place: Henry Schofield | Vienna, VA 2nd Place: Robby Schleichardt | Lees Summit, MO 3rd Place: Aidan Croft | Seminole, FL
	16U-17U Girls	1st Place: Saryna Jaime  | Turlock, CA 2nd Place: Ivy Nystrom  | Phoenix, AZ 3rd Place: Ella Gilliam  | Smyrna, TN
	16U-17U Boys	1st Place: Cole Freeman  | Charlotte, NC 2nd Place: Taner Akin  | Longwood, FL 3rd Place: Austin Nowak  | Liberty Township, OH
	18U-19U Girls	1st Place: Meegan Randall  | Republic, MO 2nd Place: Leah Sprangers  | Mukwonago, WI 3rd Place: Kendall Lewis  | Atlanta, GA
	18U-19U Boys	1st Place: Caleb Cross  | Sioux City, IA 2nd Place: Collin Bridges  | Sandersville, GA 3rd Place: Deric Black  | Cape Coral, FL