Warsaw Community High School senior Hunter Metzger has signed to continue his track career at Grace College. Seated with Hunter are Grace head coach Jeff Raymond and Shelly Metzger. (Photo provided)

WARSAW – Warsaw track and field standout Hunter Metzger has signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Grace College. Classmate Michaela Buriff is doing the same as both signed with the Lancers this week.

Metzger, a state finalist for the Tigers in the pole vault last season, has been a leader in the Tiger vaulting program for the past two seasons, and he enters his senior season with hopes to return to Bloomington at the close of his final high school campaign. Metzger, a multi-sport athlete, was also was a member of the cross country program as well. In his run to state as a junior, Metzger cleared 13-0 at both the sectional and regional before ending at 12-6 at the State Finals, where he placed 21st.

Not only has Metzger cleared bars on the track and field arena, he has set bars in the classroom and the community through outstanding academic achievement as well as through volunteer service.

A scholar athlete, Metzger has volunteered with the organizations running a number of local races (running and bike races), he has volunteered his time maintaining local trails in Winona Lake, and he has served organizations providing assistance to Feed My Starving Children.

Buriff has been a part of three Northern Lakes Conference, sectional and regional championship experiences, and the two-time 300 regional hurdle qualifier hopes to help the program continue its dominance this spring.

Buriff has not only been setting the pace for clearing hurdles on the track, she has been an exceptional leader and setting the mark in the school and community. The scholar athlete volunteers every Sunday at church working with elementary students, and she is currently working at the YMCA as a swim instructor. Buriff also serves as a summer camp church counselor for fifth and sixth graders, lifeguards at Winona Lake in the summer, and volunteers with the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night To Shine for special needs.

She is looking to major in elementary education at Grace.

Warsaw Community High School senior Michaela Buriff has signed to continue her track career with Grace College. Seated with Michaela are parents Jeff and Cherish Buriff. In back are Grace College head coach Jeff Raymond, WCHS assistant athletic director Jeff Hamstra, WCHS head track coach Megan Davis and Grace College track assistant coach Max Kittle. (Photo provided)