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Nine Lakota East student athletes were honored during a signing day event at Lakota East High School May 16, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Lakota East High School honored nine student athletes Wednesday during its spring signing day event. Among those recognized include Jacob Landers (Baldwin Wallace College, wrestling), Ivan Thomas (Kentucky Christian University, football), Tyler Overberg (College of Mount St. Joseph, golf), Morgan Weinheimer (University of Mississippi, volleyball), Jeff Mundy Jr. (Kentucky Christian University, football), Tanner Lyons (Centre College, track and field), Aleth Pashi (Otterbein University, basketball), Jacqui Tackett (Mount St. Joseph, lacrosse) and Molly Blomer (Nova Southeastern University, basketball).

“It was awesome. I was excited to see all my friends sign,” said Weinheimer, who was also considering Wright State University and Xavier University, among others. “It’s exciting because I want to see them do big things.”

The 5’4″ Weinheimer, who played the libero position for the Thunderhawks, was a first team All-GMC selection in 2011. She also led the GMC with 5.34 digs per game.

Her senior volleyball classmates, Hannah Berling (Tusculum College), Hannah Sigala (Morehead State University), Lauren Beitel (Otterbein) and Emily Bostian (Otterbein) were all honored at a signing day event Feb. 1. In addition to the seniors, junior teammates Ali Lake (Ohio University) and Ashley Evans (Purdue University) have verbally committed to programs.

Joining Weinheimer at Wednesday’s signing were basketball players Aleth Pashi and Molly Blomer. In February, their teammates Alyssa Grevenkamp (University of Findlay) and Whitney Wyckoff (Yale University) were also recognized.

Also on Wednesday, two senior football players, offensive lineman Ivan Thomas and defensive back Jeff Mundy Jr., signed on to play at the same college – Kentucky Christian University.

“They (KCU) are going to receive two good players, two good people and hopefully they will leave the program better than they left it,” Lakota East head football coach Rick Haynes said.

“It is always great to see guys forward their careers and move on to the next level. I think, both of them, as long as they put in the time and effort are going to have success.”

Other Lakota East senior student athletes, who were recognized for continuing their athletic careers in college in February, include Zach Mueck (Xavier, tennis) Michael Conrad (University of Cincinnati, baseball), Alex Corna (Ohio, baseball), Michaela Buczek (Mount St. Joseph, lacrosse), Ainsely Ellison (Hillsdale College, softball), Sofey Fugate (Heidelberg University, tennis), Jessika Hall (Michigan State University, swimming), Tori Meyer (Albright College, lacrosse), Mark Minch (Ohio Dominican University, basketball), Tony O’Connor (Northern Kentucky University, cross country/track) and Joe Postlewait (Walsh University, lacrosse)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Aleth Pashi, Alex Corna, Alyssa Grevenkamp, cincyhoops, cincysports, Corri Muha, Emily Bostian, girls' basketball, Hannah Berling, Hannah Sigala, Ivan Thomas, Jacob Landers, Jeff Mundy Jr., Jessika Hall, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Lakota East volleyball, Lauren Beitel, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michael Conrad Lakota East, Michaela Buczek, Molly Blomer, Morgan Weinheimer, National Signing Day, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, recruiting, Signing Day Lakota East, Sofey Fugate, Tony O'Connor, Tori Meyer, Tyler Overberg, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

A total of 17 seniors, who will compete in nine different sports in college, were honored during a special signing ceremony at Lakota East High School on National Signing Day Wednesday.

“The neat thing about this morning is that just about every program we have is represented,” Lakota East Athletic Director Richard Bryant said.

“(The large class) legitimizes what we do as a public school system in making sure we put our kids in position to be successful and be able to continue what they want to do and follow their academic pursuits.”

Before college, there is one Lakota East senior who still believes he has plenty to prove on the high school level after losing in the tennis state singles final the past two seasons.

“It is more of a focus than it has been in the past few years because it is my last chance,” Xavier signee Zach Mueck said.

Mueck, who was selected as The Cincinnati Enquirer’s tennis player of the year last spring, was also considering the University of Kentucky, Ohio State University and the University of Notre Dame.

While Mueck came up short last season, his classmates Michael Conrad and Alex Conrad were key contributors in Lakota East’s first state championship in a varsity sport.

Like Mueck, Conrad was named player of the year in his sport by The Cincinnati Enquirer. In 2011, he finished the year with a 5-1 record, a 1.11 earned run average and tied a Lakota school district record with 115 strikeouts.

“I am excited to finish out the season and hopefully do as well as we did last year, but I also can’t wait to get down there and play at a higher level,” Conrad said. “I feel that I am ready for it.”

His best friend and teammate, Alex Corna who will be playing ball at Ohio University, finished the year with a .381 batting average and a team-leading .532 on-base percentage.

Joining Mueck, Conrad and Corna as honorees during Wednesday’s ceremony were fellow athletic standouts Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Hannah Berling (volleyball – Tusculum College) Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Joe Postlewait (lacrosse – Walsh University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lauren Beitel, Mark Minch, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

Both Lakota West and Lakota East high schools will host special signing ceremonies Wednesday on National Signing Day to honor student athletes that will be playing sports in college. WestChesterBuzz.com will post updates, stories and pictures throughout the day.

At Lakota East Wednesday morning, 15 student athletes in sports that include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track will be honored.

Among those who will be honored at Lakota East include Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Michael Conrad (baseball – University of Cincinnati), Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Zach Mueck (tennis – Xavier University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Meanwhile, also Wednesday morning, Lakota West will host a signing event for football players. Currently, six seniors have verbally committed to college including Dawson Fletcher (Indiana University), defensive end Blake Bell (University of California, Penn.), linebacker Jordan Darland (Olivet Nazarene University), linebacker Cole Stalker (University of Findlay), offensive lineman Beau Odom (Georgetown College) and wide receiver Kayaune Ross (Fort Scott Community College).

That group, along with running back Marcus Davis, wide receiver Bubba Williams, cornerback Peair Foster, safety Antonio Darden and offensive lineman Neil Recker can officially sign with their school of choice Wednesday.

Later in the day, the Greater Miami Conference will hold its annual football signing press conference at 1 p.m. at the Wingate Inn/Meridian Conference Center, 7500 Tylers Place Blvd., in West Chester. The event is open to the public.

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s afternoon ceremony at Lakota West, the following student athletes will be honored: Kim Love (soccer – Purdue University), Kelly Mack (soccer – Wright State University), Lauren Pratt (soccer – Ohio Dominican University), Brady Holmer (cross country – Northern Kentucky) and Amanda Shelby (cross country – Mount St. Joseph).

In November, basketball, baseball and volleyball players were able to sign national letters of intent. Back then, the following students from Lakota West signed: Summer Reeves (basketball – Morgan State University), Shabazz Reeves (basketball – Morgan State), Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (volleyball – Northern Kentucky University).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Shelby, Antonio Darden, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Dawson Fletcher, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Beitel, Lauren Pratt, Marcus Davis, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Signing Day Lakota West, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

National Signing Day, which will take place Wednesday, marks the first day high school football and soccer players can sign letters of intent. Many high schools across the country, like Lakota East and Lakota West, will host special signing ceremonies throughout the week.

Lakota East will honor 15 student athletes during a special ceremony Wednesday morning in sports that include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track.

Lakota West will host a signing event for football players Wednesday morning as well. Meanwhile, soccer and cross country athletes will be recognized at a ceremony Thursday afternoon.

Among those who will be honored at Lakota East include Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Michael Conrad (baseball – University of Cincinnati), Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Zach Mueck (tennis – Xavier University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s afternoon ceremony at Lakota West, the following student athletes will be honored: Kim Love (soccer – Purdue University), Kelly Mack (soccer – Wright State University), Lauren Pratt (soccer – Ohio Dominican University), Brady Holmer (cross country (Northern Kentucky) and Amanda Shelby (Mount St. Joseph).

In football, Lakota West could have up to 10 players sign Wednesday including linebacker Jordan Darland, defensive end Blake Bell, running back Marcus Davis, safety Dawson Fletcher, offensive lineman Beau Odom, wide receiver Bubba Williams, linebacker Cole Stalker, safety Antonio Darden, cornerback Peair Foster and offensive lineman Neil Recker.

Of that group, only Fletcher has announced where he will be playing football in college. The senior safety, who will be attending Indiana University, was second on the team in tackles with 70. The all-GMC first teamer also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception that he returned 77 yards, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

In November, basketball, baseball and volleyball players were able to sign national letters of intent. Back then, the following students from Lakota West signed: Summer Reeves (basketball – Morgan State University), Shabazz Reeves (basketball – Morgan State), Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (Northern Kentucky University).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Shelby, Antonio Darden, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Dawson Fletcher, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Beitel, Lauren Pratt, Marcus Davis, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Signing Day Lakota West, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

Lakota East remained ranked No. 1 in the state in the latest Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association poll. Lakota East received nine first-place votes and totaled 111 points in the poll.

Gahanna Lincoln, which is a few miles east of Columbus, fell from No. 2 to No. 3 and had a total of 78 points. Elyria, which is about 30 miles west of Cleveland, moved up from No. 3 to No. 2 and had two first-place votes and totaled 92 points in the poll.

Locally, Glen Este (No. 4) and Lebanon (No. 9) were included in the latest statewide poll. Glen Este (65 points) moved from No. 5 from last week’s poll and Lebanon (24 points) moved down from No. 8 from last week’s poll.

Currently, Lakota East is No. 1 in the Cincinnati Enquirer’s coaches’ poll. The Thunderhawks have a total of 116 points and eight first-place votes, while the No. 2 team, Glen Este, has a total of 109 points and four first-place votes.

Lakota East is 15-1 overall and 9-1 within the Greater Miami Conference. Its only loss, which was against rival Lakota West, came in its second game of the season. West (9-3 overall, 8-2 in the GMC) is currently ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer poll. The two rivals are scheduled to play tomorrow, April 28, at 4:30 p.m.

The Thunderhawks are led by their senior pitcher Sara Pearson, who has complied a 12-1 record this season. Pearson also has 141 strikeouts in 80 innings and a 0.44 earned run average. She has also performed well at the plate with a .517 on-base percentage and a .447 batting average. Pearson has 21 hits in 47 at-bats, 16 runs, three doubles, four home runs and 17 runs batted in.

Hitting directly behind Pearson in the lineup, in the cleanup spot (fourth in the order), senior catcher Kelly Hardison leads the team with six home runs and 23 runs batted in. She is currently hitting .396 and has a .463 on-base percentage.

Five other starters, Ainsley Ellison (.513), Alyssa Grevenkamp (.360), Kim Rollins (.370) and Lea Buckenmyer (.306) all have batting averages greater than .300 this season.

Right now, Lakota East trails Fairfield (10-1 overall, 10-1 in the GMC) in the GMC standings. The two teams finish the season against each other May 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Lakota East High School.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Cincinnati Enquirer Coaches Poll, Kelly Hardison, Kim Rollins, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lea Buckenmyer, rankings, Sara Pearson, softball, softball rankings

In the first Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association poll of the spring sports season, Lakota East received seven first-place votes and was ranked as the state’s best softball team.

Lakota East earned a total of 91 points. Gahanna Lincoln, which is a few miles east of Columbus, was ranked second with 67 points. Locally, Glen Este (No. 6 – 32 points) and Lebanon (No. 7 – 29 points) also made the top ten.

Gahanna Lincoln will have an opportunity to earn more points this Saturday, April 23, when it faces Lakota East at the Valley of Thunder in Symmes Valley.

Currently, Lakota East is No. 1 in the Cincinnati Enquirer’s coaches’ poll. The Thunderhawks have a total of 138 points and eight first-place votes, while the No. 2 team, Glen Este, has a total of 133 points and five first-place votes.

Lakota East is 14-1 overall and 9-1 within the Greater Miami Conference. Its only loss, which was against rival Lakota West, came in its second game of the season. West is currently ranked No. 4 in the Enquirer poll. The two rivals were scheduled to play this afternoon at noon, but the game has been postponed.

The Thunderhawks are led by their senior pitcher Sara Pearson, who has complied a 11-1 record this season. Pearson also has 129 strikeouts in 73 innings and a 0.48 earned run average. She has also performed well at the plate with a .556 on-base percentage and a .488 batting average. Pearson has 21 hits in 43 at-bats, 16 runs, three doubles, four home runs and 17 runs batted in.

Hitting directly behind Pearson in the lineup, in the cleanup spot (fourth in the order), senior catcher Kelly Hardison leads the team with five home runs and 22 runs batted in. She is currently hitting .370 and has a .420 on-base percentage.

Five other starters, Ainsley Ellison (.528), Alyssa Grevenkamp (.362), Kim Rollins (.357) and Lea Buckenmyer (.326) all have batting averages greater than .300 this season.

Right now, Lakota East is tied with Fairfield (9-1 overall, 9-1 in the GMC) atop the GMC standings. The two teams finish the season against each other May 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Lakota East High School.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Cincinnati Enquirer Coaches Poll, Kelly Hardison, Kim Rollins, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lea Buckenmyer, rankings, Sara Pearson, softball, softball rankings