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NEW BREMEN - When choosing colleges, Noah Kelly and Alayna Ross looked for educational fit to go along with their athletic prowess.
The New Bremen seniors made their commitments on Wednesday. Kelly will continue his football career at Ohio Northern in Ada. Ross will head to Morristown, Tennessee, to play softball at Walters State Community College.
New Bremen's Noah Kelly, seated center, will attend Ohio Northern University and play football for the Polar Bears. Seated with Noah are parents Bryan and Danielle Kelly. Standing from left are New Bremen head coach Chris Schmidt, Michael Kelly, Jacob Kelly and assistant coach Cody King.
"From an academic standpoint, they are good at what they do," Kelly, who will major in marketing. "From the sports perspective, they have an inclusive feeling (that) made me want to go there."
Ohio Northern went 4-6 last season (4-5 Ohio Athletic Conference), but finished the season with two straight wins and won three out of the final four games.
"They have a new head coach (Andy Fries) and new defensive coaches," said Kelly. "I talked to them, and I really like where they want to take the team and what they want to do with the team."
Kelly was solid on the defensive line for New Bremen, recording 46 tackles and two sacks as the Cardinals finished the 2023 season 5-7 and reached the second round of the Division VII playoffs before falling to Minster.
"I take the lessons that I learned playing as a family and playing together," said Kelly about what he'll take with him from his days as a Cardinal. "Being able to teach each other, learn from our failures and successes."
New Bremen's Alayna Ross, seated center, will attend Walters State Community College in Tennessee and play softball for the Senators. Seated with Alayna are parents Lynette and James Ross. Standing from left are New Bremen assistant coaches Emma Keller and Brian Trego, D.J. Ross, head coach Gary Moeder and assistant coach Ella Pape.
In choosing Walters State, located roughly six hours from New Bremen, Ross liked the fact of being away from home.
"I really would like to get far from home," said Ross. "I like the idea of being in Tennessee. I wanted to start small, too, because I was late to the recruiting process."
Another factor was finding a school and team that would help her as she looked to major in nursing.
"It's going to be a challenge," said Ross. "I had to find a team that's willing to do that."
The Senators have started 2024 in fine fashion at 23-3 and 13-1 in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association after splitting a Sunday non-conference doubleheader with Gaston College. Walters State finished 55-4 a season ago and reached the NJCAA Division I national tournament.
"They're known for a winning team," said Ross. "The girls were great when I went down there (for a visit). I'm a really loud person and so are they. I love it."
Ross was a standout both at shortstop and pitcher last season. On the mound, Ross was 10-11 with a 3.85 ERA last season. In 125 1/3 innings, Ross struck out 190 batters.
At the plate, Ross batted .422 with five home runs, 11 doubles and 19 RBI.
"We're a close team. We trust each other," said Ross. "I'll take that trust down there."
