Prospective College Athletes

Written by Drew Meiner and Diana Watson

 
 

Few people are blessed with the athletic ability it takes to make it to the collegiate level in sports. However this year’s senior class at Normal West has many athletes that will be competing for their respective schools next year. Normal West’s history of athletic success over the past few years has been largely due to the fact that the class of 2008 is a hard-working, dedicated group of people that take pride in the chance to represent their school.

Take the girl’s soccer team for example. The girls, led by this years seniors have gone a combined 73-6 the last three years, highlighted by last years state tournament appearance where they lost to eventual state champions Aurora (Waubonsie Valley). This talented group is led by five seniors that will be continuing their careers at the collegiate level next year. These five girls are Stephanie Horvath (North Carolina State), Kayla Braffet (South Dakota State), Rachel Wright (Murray State), Michelle Peterson (Washington University), and Jessie Benchley (Coastal Carolina). These girls lead what is arguably one of the best soccer classes to ever come through Normal West.

The Normal West Boys Golf Team enjoyed a highly successful season that saw them win the schools first regional championship in golf as well as the first team state berth. The team was led by five seniors in Dave Shelton, Jeff Bragg, Drew Meiner, Dave Gaddy, and Justin Batty. The team will be well represented next year with half of the top six players playing collegiate golf.

All sports at Normal West have been successful over the years and all of the hard work the seniors have put in over the years is finally paying off. Congratulations to all of our seniors! Below is a list of seniors that will be playing a sport in college next year.

 

Harold Riggins

Baseball

North Carolina State

Stephanie Horvath

Soccer

North Carolina State

Kayla Braffet

Soccer

South Dakota State

Rachel Wright

Soccer

Murray State

Michelle Peterson

Soccer

Washington University

Jessie Benchley

Soccer

Coastal Carolina

Tyler Ropp

Baseball

Spoon River CC

Dave Shelton

Golf

Parkland College

Drew Meiner

Golf

Parkland College

Alyssa Deffner

Swimming

Western Illinois

Justin Ruskowski

Diving

Southern Illinois

Kelsey Detweiler

Volleyball

Central Michigan

Laura Wilcox

Volleyball

Gardner Webb

Katie Kopp

Softball

Illinois State

Matt Paska

Football

Illinois State

Allyson Keith

Volleyball

Nova Southeastern

Evan Cather

Golf

Taylor University

Sean Seibring

Basketball

Illinois Wesleyan

Erich Bushong

Football

Illinois Wesleyan

Guy Lang

Basketball

Lincoln Christian