Four talented soccer players from Jamestown, North Dakota — Evan Harty, Grady Eckart, Liam Becker and Layla Becker — have been selected to attend the Midwest Region Olympic Development Program ID Soccer Camp in Rockford, Illinois. The invitation marks a significant milestone for the athletes and highlights the growing reputation of their hometown program.
The ODP, founded in the late 1970s, serves as the premier talent identification pathway for youth soccer across the United States. Each regional camp gathers the nation’s most promising prospects for a series of high‑intensity training sessions and matches, offering a direct route to higher‑level competition.
A Pathway to National Recognition
Evan Harty, whose mother Brandi Harty coaches the Jamestown High School boys soccer team and once played collegiately at the University of Jamestown, says the camp represents an opportunity to gain exposure, absorb new techniques and sharpen his game. His brother Brady previously attended the ODP camp five times before committing to collegiate soccer in Alabama, a journey that inspires Evan’s own aspirations.
Grady Eckart is making his third appearance at the regional ODP camp. He says the experience is focused on refining his technical abilities and improving decision‑making under pressure. Eckart hopes the camp will open a pathway to the inter‑regional tournament in Florida, where he can test himself against an even broader pool of talent.
Layla Becker is attending the ODP Regional camp for the fifth time, underscoring her consistent development and dedication. Having led the Jamestown High School girls varsity team this spring with six goals and six assists, she aims to deliver a performance strong enough to earn a spot at the inter‑regional camp in Florida, a stepping stone toward national recognition.
The camp schedule includes five two‑hour soccer sessions spread over three days, each designed to challenge participants with rigorous drills, tactical exercises and competitive play. Coaches and scouts will be on hand to assess players’ progress and potential for advancement.
For each of these young athletes, the camp is more than a summer activity; it is a critical checkpoint on a trajectory that could lead to national team consideration and professional opportunities.