Spring Signings Usher In New Seasons For Athletes
By MIKE DEAK
Staff Writer
WARSAW – As the 2021-22 school year comes to a close, several area athletes concluded their senior seasons with a selection of a college to continue their athletic and academic careers. Since March, more than two dozen athletes from Kosciusko County high schools have declared, and most were involved in formal signing ceremonies, like the all-school celebration at Tippecanoe Valley in late April and the open ceremony at Warsaw in mid-May.
Here are bios and comments from the athletes themselves as they take their next steps.
Lakeland Christian Academy
Keely Bauer, Grace, Soccer
Clubs: National Honor Society, Student Council vice president, FCA officer, peer tutoring
Honors: All-HPC, Offensive POY (LCA), 2nd Team NISC, NCSAA SE Super Regional Team
GPA/Major: 3.48/criminal justice
Her Words: “I chose Grace College because I was asked to play soccer there. Also, both of my parents went to college at Grace. Another reason is because Grace College is located in the community I grew up in.”
Landen Bremer, Grace, Soccer
Clubs: National Honor Society, FCA
Honors: 1st Team NISC, All-HPC
GPA/Major: 3.34/psychology or counseling
His Words: “I chose Grace College because of the strong academics, a place to grow spiritually and I wouldn’t be lying the location was a factor as well.”
Jessi Calizo, Bryan College, Basketball
Clubs: National Honor Society, FCA
Honors: All-HPC, Scholar Athlete, Academic All-HPC, 1st Team NISC, Team MVP (soccer)
GPA/Major: 3.83/exercise science
Her Words: “I chose Bryan college because of its Christ-centered community and its strong and growing women’s basketball program.”
Landon Gause, Spring Arbor, Basketball
Clubs: FCA
Honors: All-HPC, All-IFN, Team MVP, Team Leadership, North/South All-Star
GPA/Major: 3.47/elementary education
His Words: “I chose Spring Arbor University because of the great Christian atmosphere it offers. I really enjoyed going to a small school like Lakeland Christian Academy, so I chose Spring Arbor University because it was a smaller university. I am blessed to be a part of their basketball program. During my workout with SAU, I recognized the strong bond their teammates had and I am stoked to be a part of that.”
Hunter Rice, Cornerstone, Basketball
Clubs: National Honor Society, FCA, math mentor, Source of Strength, Mathletes, Senior Class Treasurer
Honors: All-HPC, Academic All-HPC, North/South All-Star, All-time LCA assists leader, IHSAA Exemplary Sportsmanship
GPA/Major: 3.77/physical therapy/kinesiology
His Words: “I visited many colleges and my main goal was to find a place I could call home for a while. As soon as I walked into Cornerstone my heart beamed with excitement as I knew this was the one. When Coach Elders would coach against Grace I would watch how he coached, and saw that he truly loves and cares for each of his players. This special heart doesn’t come around often from a school. This is why I went with Cornerstone.”
Tippecanoe Valley
Cheney Canada, Trine, Golf
Clubs: FFA, Student Council, National Honor Society
Honors: TRC team champions
GPA/Major: 4.1/golf management
Her Words: “The idea of getting to play, to improve and to continue to get to do what I love there while also getting the degree I want is the total package for me.”
Brandon Hammer, Wabash, Wrestling
Clubs: N/A
Honors: All-TRC, Academic All-State
GPA/Major: 3.8/pre-med
His Words: “I’ve thought about wrestling in college since eighth grade. As I progressed in my abilities, I felt like wrestling was a reality. When I discovered my academy in Indianapolis, I progressed the most, and Wabash was one of the places we looked at. It’s the right fit for me.”
Owen Kirchenstien, Danville, Baseball
Clubs: National Honor Society
Honors: All-TRC
GPA/Major: 3.7/exercise science
His Words: “Since I haven’t been able to pitch this season, I’ve been helping my team out in any way I can. Teams want to see players who are willing to do that and I think Danville saw that and liked what I was doing.”
Rex Kirchenstien, IU East, Track
Clubs: N/A
Honors: All-TRC, 4×100 relay record holder
GPA/Major: 3.3/business
His Words: “IU East is an up and coming developing program and they reached out to see if I was interested. I think their coach sold it for me, he is an interesting guy. He has good intentions and where he wants their program to go.”
Wade Melanson, Indiana Wesleyan, Football
Clubs: Athlete Leadership, Unified Track
Honors: All-TRC, IFCA Junior All-State, IFCA 3A All-State
GPA/Major: 3.2/exercise science
His Words: “It’s a great place to be overall. Great people, great coaches, great players. They were 9-1 last year, hopefully I can add to that and help win us a national championship next year.”
Drake Montelongo, Lindsay Wilson, Wrestling
Clubs: National Honor Society
Honors: All-TRC, 3x semi-state qualifier
GPA/Major: 4.0/marketing
His Words: “Have connections. Where you train, get to know those people, because they probably know someone, and that’s how I got in with Lindsay Wilson. That was how I got my name out there. I am happy with the way things worked out.”
Dawson Perkins, IU East, Track
Clubs: STUCO, Esports
Honors: All-TRC, All-State, high jump record holder (Valley and TRC), 4×100 record holder (Valley)
GPA/Major: 2.9/business
His Words: “One of their coaches was at Warsaw (JW Maierle), and he’s seen me jump before, so he reached out and that’s how we got started. JW is a great guy, got along with him well and he’s a great coach, great guy. We really hit it off, that’s how I ended up there.”
Caleb Petgen, Grace, Track
Clubs: N/A
Honors: 4×100 relay record holder
GPA/Major: 3.7/sports management/business
His Words: “I just appreciated the visit I had with their coaches. I am super excited to work with them, they are very knowledgeable and I am ready to add to what they are doing.”
Braden Shepherd, Indiana Wesleyan, Track
Clubs: N/A
Honors: All-TRC
GPA/Major: 3.5/business administration
His Words: “I feel like this is another chapter in my book. I got to high school and I was like I got all the time in the world, and now it’s flown by. Track just kind of spoke to me, I forgot how fun it was, and it just stuck with me. I’m ready for this new chapter in my life, ready to go to Wesleyan and get started.”
Warsaw
Noah Chew, Trine, Football
Clubs: Student body, Voice representative
Honors: All-NLC, D-II All-Star, Academic All-State, Moose Krause Scholar Athlete
GPA/Major: 4.05/mechanical engineering
His Words: “I feel like I am a perfect fit. In D-III, you can focus on academics and enjoy sports and not be so focused on sports. Trine is perfect for me.”
Megan DeBoest, Grace, Soccer
Clubs: National Honor Society, FCA
Honors: All-NLC, 3x NLC champion
GPA/Major: 4.36/undecided
Her Words: “It’ll be helpful having all the connections with the transition. I’m definitely very excited to be able to help this program and to continue to grow as a player there.”
Leslie Escutia-Palacios, Grace, Rugby
Clubs: Latino Club, rugby
Honors: Midwest Rugby Tourney, Ruggerfest champs
GPA/Major: N/A/nursing
Her Words: “Being invited to play with them and being welcomed was very nice. It’s a newer sport at Grace and being able to bring something from Warsaw to Grace will be nice.”
Kendall Hepler, Butler, Cheerleading
Clubs: FCCLA vice president, cheerleading
Honors: Top 5 at state, Mental Attitude Award
GPA/Major: 3.6/exploratory sciences
Her Words: “I am definitely excited to be going to Butler. I have a couple things to finish up this school year but I am ready to start college and college cheer.”
Cal Hoskins, Indiana, Golf
Clubs: N/A
Honors: All-NLC, All-State
GPA/Major: 3.53/sports marketing
His Words: “I couldn’t be more excited. Coach Mayer and coach Ziedonis are building a powerhouse Big Ten program. The brand new PFAU golf course, the short game facilities, the workout centers, nutrition programs and everything about Hoosier men’s golf is first class.”
Taya Johnson, IUPUI, Cheerleading
Clubs: National Honor Society, Key Club, Coalition for Black Culture
Honors: Unified Track and Field, cheerleading
GPA/Major: 3.72/dentistry
Her Words: “Overall I feel like I have a very positive energy, and even sometimes cheerleaders need cheerleaders, and that’s something I am good at. I have done competitive cheer and been on the sidelines since I was four.”
Julius Jones, St. Francis, Football
Clubs: N/A
Honors: All-NLC, Indiana All-Star, Burger King Spotlight Player, team captain
GPA/Major: 3.4/business
His Words: “I’ve been trying to figure out financially and athletically where is the best fit for me and that became St. Francis. I wanted to find the best fit for my family and friends to continue to support me.”
Brandon Lopez, Huntington, Soccer
Clubs: N/A
Honors: Most goals freshman season
GPA/Major: 2.13/business marketing
His Words: “The coach enjoyed how hard working I was and how I cared for my team. I feel this really helped me learn more about the game and myself.”
Ava Knight, DePauw, XC and Track
Clubs: National Honor Society, Octagon Club
Honors: All-NLC, MVP (track), Most Improved (XC), 2nd in 4×800 relay at IHSAA State Finals, National qualifier 4×800, State qualifier XC
GPA/Major: 4.29/biochemistry
Her Words: “The coaches are not just focused on the sports side, but academics matter and you have to focus on them, too. Other places I looked were more geared to just sports. The coaches at DePauw are interested in getting you to where you want to be, plus the atmosphere there was really positive.”
Sarah Lynne Northrop, Tennessee Wesleyan, Lacrosse
Clubs: Rugby
Honors: Team captain
GPA/Major: 3.78/forestry
Her Words: “I was already thinking about going somewhere in Tennessee for hunting opportunities, and because they have an amazing forestry program, I looked into it further that Tennessee Wesleyan is hooked up with the University of Tennessee so I can get my program cheaper if I am Tennessee Wesleyan. It allows me to play lacrosse, sure, why not!”
Diana Martinez, Columbia College, Cheerleading
Clubs: Cosmetology
Honors: 4x cheer, 3x football manager
GPA/Major: N/A/psychology
Her Words: “I think I really need change in my life right now and going there is going to give me the space I need but also the opportunities will be life changing. I think me and my family can make it work.”
Josh Pelfrey, Trine, Football
Clubs: N/A
Honors: N/A
GPA/Major: N/A/forensic science
His Words: “The coaches are looking at me possibly snapping. They want me to challenge for the starting spot with the junior they already have there. They want me to dress and hopefully I can beat the other snapper and just get better.”
Judah Simfukwe, Goshen, Basketball
Clubs: N/A
Honors: Honor roll
GPA/Major: 3.07/business
His Words: “I think we’re looking to build our team to compete in the Crossroads. We have a great team, we just need to get some things together to get on the right track. I definitely think we have a good 2022 class and the changes with the coaching staff should have us looking up.”
Wawasee
Landen Dilley, Manchester, Wrestling
Clubs: N/A
Honors: N/A
GPA/Major: 3.0/business marketing
His Words: “Manchester is close to home and a great place to continue my academic and athletic careers.”
Keaton Dukes, Purdue Fort Wayne, Basketball
Clubs: Unified Track and Field
Honors: Scholar Athlete, IBCA Academic All-State, All-NLC
GPA/Major: 3.8/business marketing
His Words: “I think my defense will translate right away, that’s something I can bring. Obviously, offensively I’m not ready just because I need to put on a lot of weight. But I won’t need to be the main guy, which will be nice for me. A different change of pace. That’s something I’ve had to do here. I’m looking forward to being able to play my role and do that.”
Dylan Konieczny, Purdue Fort Wayne, Track
Clubs: Student Council
Honors: Warrior Way Award, All-NLC in volleyball, Academic All-State in volleyball
GPA/Major: 3.5/biology
Her Words: “This kind of took me out of nowhere. When I began visiting colleges for volleyball and track, at PFW I got to meet most of the team. It was just so much fun and I instantly clicked with a lot of them. Of course the coaching is incredible there and the coaches were honest with me. It was a perfect choice to make.”
Devon Kuhn, Carthage, Diving
Clubs: National Honor Society, Student Council, Environmental Club
Honors: N/A
GPA/Major: 4.33/nursing/Spanish
His Words: “The diving coach there reached out to me after I had applied, and he saw I had interest there. It just came together from there.”
Nathan Larson, Trine, Football
Clubs: DECA
Honors: All-NLC, Team Captain
GPA/Major: 3.4/business
His Words: “It’s a great school with super nice facilities. Since the first day I walked in there, they have been in contact with me and have been supportive. I just felt like I was at home there.”