Schools

With Video: Commitment and Talent Pays Off for Hartland High School Athletes

Seventeen Hartland athletes commit to the colleges of their choice.

With many of their proud parents looking on, 17 Hartland athletes, all wearing T-shirts of their chosen school, were honored on Tuesday during a college signing ceremony. Attended by family, friends and several high school coaches, each student was introduced and had their plans announced for the following year.

Although some of the students had already announced their decisions and had already signed their letters of intent earlier in the year, some of them like senior Trey Conner, at the ceremony, signed his letter of intent to swim for Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.

The sports varied from football to hockey, track and soccer, and not all the students received scholarships, but one thing many of the seniors had in common was their predictions of missing Hartland and their old teammates next year.

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“I’ve played here since sixth grade,” said senior Andrew Roy who started off in the Hartland Area Youth Athletic Association league.

Roy who will be playing football for Adrian University says he chose his college because of its reputation and not necessarily for football.

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Next year, Roy will face off against two of his friends and former teammates, Travis Spears and Matt Ostermiller who will be attending Hope College. The two schools compete in the same division.

“It’ll be weird,” Roy said. “But I’m looking forward to it.”

Leaving their comfort zone for the next level, some of the athletes admitted to being nervous about meeting their new college teammates and adjusting to the new lifestyle.

"Over the summer, I’ll definitely come and run with the girls," said Allison McGinn who also said that she has plans to practice with her old team for as long as possible. 

McGinn will be attending Michigan State University where she will run track says one of her reasons for her choice was the coach.

"It's a hard question," she said. "I just felt the fit at Michigan State was a lot better and the coach is super nice and she's young."

For Hannah Guilford, who will be playing volleyball at Alma College in Alma, MI, she is hoping her high school training has helped her prepare for the next level.

“This year I was really busy with school and sports,” Guildford said. “And I think that will help me a lot next year in college, being another step up.”

Athletic Director Jason Reck described the seventeen athletes as “hard workers” saying that the students “love sports and everything that sports provide.”

“They are the ones who are committed,” Reck said. “That make sacrifices in their personal lives for the betterment of their athletic lives.

"We are immensely proud of them and extremely proud to send them out as Hartland alumni’s and alumni’s of Hartland athletics," he said.

Senior Korey Boutell, who will play football for Defiance University, injured his knee during his first game of the season and was unable to play for his senior year. His advice to his younger peers is to never give up. 

 “Keep working hard and keep your dreams alive no matter what happens,” Boutell said.

The 17 Hartland students and their schools include:

  • Jake Jessen (parents James & Dawn), Kellogg C.C., baseball
  • Bailee Maggert (parents Kip & Tammy), University of Findlay, basketball
  • Megan Skinner (parents Soctt & Amy), Aquinas College, cross country/track
  • Taylor Pryde (parents Grant & Natalie), Aquinas College, cross country/track
  • Allison McGinn (parents Ward & Lynn), Michigan State University, cross country/track
  • Ian McGinn (parents Ward & Lynn), University of Missouri, cross country/track
  • Alex Gietek (parents Jeffrey & Mary Ann), Michigan Tech University, cross country/track
  • Korey Boutell (parents Donald & Lori), Defiance University, football
  • Andrew Roy (parents John & Ann Marie), Adrian University, football
  • Matt Ostermiller (parents Michael & Kristine), Hope College, football
  • Cameron Fritts (parents Michael & Dolores), Northwood University, football
  • Travis Spears (parents Jennifer & Eric), Hope College, football
  • Brooke Kastamo (parents Leonard & Laura), Olivet College, golf
  • Ryan Daavettilla (parents Brian & Carol), Findlandia University, hockey
  • Jessica Bentley (parents Timothy & Kelly), University of Indianapolis, soccer
  • Lexie Schmidt (parents Michael & Caryn), Bowling Green State University, soccer
  • Lindsey Scott (parents Karl & Lynn), Ferris State University, soccer
  • Trey Conner (parents Herman & Krysten), Olivet Nazarene University, swimmming
  • Hannah Guilford (Robert & Holly), Alma College, volleyball


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