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St. Marys student-athletes signed letters of intent to play college sports on Wednesday. Signing were, front row from left, Ayden Young, Adyson Van De Keere and Kailey Smith (University of Northwestern Ohio for softball). Back row from left, Preston Rupert (Hocking College for baseball), Kasey Gross (University of Rio Grande for baseball), Ameliah Serio (Manchester University for wrestling) and Kallie McKinley (UNOH for golf and bowling).
ST. MARYS - St. Marys saw seven athletes sign their letters of intent to continue playing their respective sports in college Wednesday afternoon.
Adyson Van De Keere, Ayden Young and Kailey Smith all committed to play at the University of Northwestern Ohio next year to continue their careers on the diamond.
Van De Keere, a sports marketing major, posted a 10-6 record with a 3.41 earned-run-average and 125 strikeouts last season.
"The coaches there were amazing," Van De Keere said. "I really loved the atmosphere that UNOH gave me."
Young signed to not only study marketing and digital multimedia design, but also to be a catcher. She finished last year with a .254 average and 13 RBIs, and chose UNOH to stay close.
"I like that it was close to home. I really liked everything about their softball. The equipment, the field, everything," she said.
Smith will be a Racer as well after posting a solid .275 batting average with 13 RBIs and 11 runs scored. She will study business administration off the field, while covering the hot corner at third base on the field.
"I like the softball team, but I love the school especially," Smith said. "I want to thank my parents; the whole way through they were there supporting me."
Two Roughriders signed on to continue their baseball careers, with both choosing to stay in state for the next step. Kasey Gross will study education at the University of Rio Grande, while continuing to play third base and potentially pitch for the RedStorm.
"I really liked the coaches and staff. I heard from the players that it was a great place and stable for me," Gross said.
Preston Rupert will be a Hocking College Hawk next year after hitting .297 with eight doubles and 16 RBIs. He will study wildlife management, something he is really passionate about.
"My extracurricular activities revolve around wildlife, so that was definitely the big thing," Rupert said. "Not a lot of schools have that degree and to be able to go down there and play baseball as well, it's everything I love at the same time."
Staying close by was a key for Kallie McKinley, who will continue her bowling career at UNOH after helping St. Marys both in bowling and golf.
"I wanted to stay close to home," McKinley said. "I wanted to bowl and golf in college, while the golf team is full right now I'm going to try for that next year."
McKinley will not only compete athletically, but also study accounting.
Ameliah Serio announced she will wrestle for the Manchester University Spartans next year. The school, located in Manchester, Indiana, competes at the NCAA Division III level.
For Serio, the decision to be a Spartan was bigger than the mat, as she will pursue a nursing degree.
"I really like the nursing program at the school, I really liked coach (Trevor) Young. He had really big goals for the team." Serio said.
