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Celina senior Jon Lutz, seated center, will attend Ashland University and join the Eagles' track and field program. Seated with Jon are his parents Travis and Paula Lutz. Celina assistant track coach Karen Lazarich and athletic director Derek Wenning stand in the back.
CELINA - Jon Lutz had to give his older sister a nod about his choice of college.
The Celina track and field standout will head to Ashland University next season to continue his career.
"My sister Amelia (a former Celina throwing standout) goes to Hillsdale (which is in the same conference as Ashland) and told me about Ashland and their track and field program," said Lutz. "After visiting there and discovering the majors, I can dual major in IT cybersecurity and computer science. After hearing that, it was great. After visiting a couple more times, it really felt like home, to be honest. Just seeing what they had to offer, there was no other place to go. I looked at other colleges, but they didn't have what I was looking for. Ashland checked all the boxes."
The Eagles have one of the top programs in NCAA Division II. Ashland's men finished second at the Great Midwest Athletic Conference indoor championships, hosted by the school at its Niss Athletic Center, then placed 12th at the NCAA Division II national meet in Indianapolis. Last spring at the G-MAC outdoor championships, the Eagles placed third.
"Seeing their hurdlers and how they progressed, it's a night and day difference," said Lutz. "It's awesome what they can do."
Lutz's specialty is the 110 hurdles, having won the Western Buckeye League title in the event last season at Bath. Lutz is also a key member of the Bulldogs' sprint relays, earning All-WBL finishes as part of both the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, helping Celina finish third in the league standings.
Lutz had a busy winter after playing football in the fall for the Bulldogs, winning the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches (OATCCC) Division II state title in the 60 hurdles, winning a photo finish over Batavia's Marcus Highbanks after both crossed in 8.09 seconds.
"I knew I had to get it done," said Lutz about making his decision before the spring track season got underway. "Just trying to find a way to work with everybody here and communicating everything, but I knew I wanted to go (to Ashland)."
