Wednesday, November 21st, 2018
3 Indians sign with colleges
By Colin Foster
Submitted Photo
Fort Recovery's Robby LeFevre, seated center, will run track for Fordham University. Seated with him are parents Lisa and Tom.
FORT RECOVERY - Fort Recovery Athletic Director Kurt Rammel called Tuesday a "big day for Fort Recovery."
After all, it's not every day that the Indians have three college signees.
All-Ohioan sprinter Robby LeFevre is Bronx-bound after signing with NCAA Division I Fordham University. Classmates Cassidy Martin (Findlay) and Madison Rammel (Tiffin) will continue their volleyball careers at the NCAA Division II level.
LeFevre has been on the Division III state track and field podium in each of his first three seasons with the Indians. Last year, he placed fifth in the state 100-meter dash, fourth in the 200 and teamed with Riley Pearson, Jacob Acheson and Brayden Schoen for an eighth-place finish in the 4x100 relay.
Fordham competes in the Atlantic 10. The Rams men's team placed 10th at last year's A-10 Outdoor Championships.
Martin and Madison Rammel will join two of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's best volleyball programs.
Martin had college options as a swimmer, runner or volleyball player. With an offer on the table from Findlay, she decided it was too good to pass up.
"I kind of did my recruiting process late for volleyball," Martin said. "I sent out film last minute just to see what came back to me. Findlay replied (along) with a couple of other schools like BG and Tiffin. I thought Findlay was the best fit."
Martin had ties with the university before signing. She had visited the campus several times to watch her cousins Greg and Elijah Kahlig play for the Oiler basketball team.
"I was really familiar with the area, the campus and the environment in the gym," Martin explained. "I knew that was really great. Also a big thing for me was the major that I'm going into, which is forensic biology. Not many schools offer that in Ohio, and I definitely wanted to stay close to home."
The Oilers went 24-7 this season and 16-3 in G-MAC play. Martin will look to contribute to their offensive attack when she steps on campus.
"I'm just hoping to become more of a consistent hitter up in the front row," she said. "I think the coaches recruited me for the outside, but I did play middle in high school. I'm kind of hoping that I can maybe earn that middle spot. I think they think I'm a little short now, but I'm hoping I can prove myself and get that middle spot. If I do go to the pins, outside and inside, I'll do my best out there."
Before Madison Rammel heads off to Tiffin, she wanted to give her high school volleyball coach one last thank you.
"I've gotten to where I am because of (Chelsea Kahlig) and I just want to thank her," she said.
What Tiffin will be getting in Madison Rammel is one of top players in Division IV. As a senior, she was awarded first team All-MAC, first team All-Northwest District and second team All-Ohio.
She visited Tiffin during the year and fell in love with the place. The volleyball team is good, too. The Dragons finished this year 21-11 overall and 15-4 in G-MAC play.
"I didn't really have any other (schools) in the running, because I wasn't sure I wanted to play at that moment," Madison Rammel said. "But then Tiffin saw me play and they liked me and they offered me. I went and took a visit and I really like it.
"I know it'll be challenging, but I really hope we do good next year," she added. "I actually watched Tiffin play a couple times this year and they were pretty good."
Submitted Photo
Fort Recovery's Cassidy Martin, seated center, will continue her volleyball career at Findlay. Seated with her are parents Dane and Deb Martin. Standing, from left, are coach Chelsea Kahlig, brother Regan Martin and coach Travis Guggenbiller.
Submitted Photo
Fort Recovery's Madison Rammel, seated center, will continue her volleyball career at Tiffin. Seated with her are parents Diana and Curt. Standing, from left, are coach Travis Guggenbiller, siblings Whitley and Calvin Rammel and coach Chelsea Kahlig.
