Outlook

Michael Bernabe (Ber-NAH-be) is a prolific recruit for the program ... Was the Kansas Defensive Player of the Year ... Can play anywhere on the back line ... Possesses great leadership skills and confidence for a first-year player ... Really good in the air which will add to our attacking set plays.

Freshman Year 2024

Helped JCCC to a runner-up finishes in the Division II Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference, a runner-up finish in the Region 6 Tournament, a No. 8 ranking in the final NJCAA Division II Poll with an overall record of 14-4-0 … Played 18 matches, eight in the starting lineup … Was part of a defensive unit that posted the third-best goals against average in the conference at 1.44, with four shutouts, which tied for second-most … Also came forward to help out on the offensive end with three assists, with one game winner … Fired nine shots, 3 on goal for a shots on goal percentage of .333 … Picked up his first assist in a 3-1 loss to No. 6-ranked Neosho County (10-5-24) … Assisted on the sixth goal in an 8-1 win at Pratt (10-16-24) … Followed with a game winning assist in a 2-0 win at Southeast (10-19-24).

High School

Was a three-year starter for coach Erik Jones at Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, Kan. … Graduated 2024 … Selected 5A All-State first-team by the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association and All-Eastern Kansas League first-team his junior and senior years … Selected the EKL and 5A State Defensive Player of the Year as a senior …  Led a stellar defense that won a 5A state championship in 2021, and finished runner-up in 2022 and 2023 … Also helped the Timberwolves to three consecutive Eastern Kansas League and Regional championships … The team posted a record of 56-9-2 over his three seasons, finishing 22-1-0 as a sophomore, followed by back-to-back 17-4-1 seasons … Helped out offensively with seven goals and seven assists for 21 points as a junior and five goals and 10 assists for 20 points his senior year … Played club soccer for Sporting BV coached by Shawn Forcellini from 2017-20 and for KC Fusion coached by Nick Aguilar from 2023-24 … Helped KC Fusion win a state championship in 2021 and finish runner-up in 2023 and 2024. 

High School

Born Michael Bernabe on March 29, 2006, in Fresno, California … Nickname is Big Mike … Son of Lucio and Amy Bernabe … His father played football at Dakota Wesleyan University, and his mother was a softball player at the University of Tulsa … Has a sister Mia … Major is undecided, but his career ambition is to be a mechanical engineer …  Also recruited by Nebraska Wesleyan University and William Jewell College … Favorite foods are steak, shrimp and green beans … Favorite fast food restaurant is Taco Bell … Favorite restaurant is Old Chicago … Favorite TV show is Breaking Bad … Favoring movie is Plante of the Apes … Favorite sports movie is The Long Game … Favorite actor is Mark Wahlberg … Favorite music entertainer is 21 Savage … Favorite cartoon character is SpongeBob SquarePants … Has a superstition of having donuts and an energy drink every game day … Favorite athlete is Lionel Messi … Favorite sports team is Chelsea … Greatest sports moment was winning a state championship his sophomore year … Best player he has played against is former St. Thomas Aquinas and current Loyola University Chicago forward Ethan Young … A notable alumnus from his school is Ben Kaderna, the Kansas City Royals second round draft pick in 2021.