“These kids are really fantastic athletes and are very intelligent students,” summarized Lexington High School Athletic Director Joe Roberts.
On Thursday morning, Lexington students, parents and coaches looked on as the school presented their senior student-athletes’ latest college choices. In addition to highly recruited swimmer Hannah Stevens, who signed with Missouri in November, the class of 2014 will send five others on to the college level.
Brody Basilone committed to Sinclair Community College to play baseball, Elise Betscher will attend Marian University to play tennis, Nick Leasure committed to Walsh University to play football. From the Lady Lex soccer squad, Hannah Schaefer will be heading to Adrian College and Megan Weiss will attend Indiana Wesleyan University.
Betscher heads to Marian ranked as at number 15 in Ohio by www.tennisrecruiting.com. Her 2013 resume alone includes OCC Player of the Year honors, First Team OCC, sectional and district champion, state runner up, and First Team All Ohio.
A four year varsity letter winner and a four year state qualifier, Betscher has enjoyed success since the beginning. In 2010, she was First Team OCC, sectional and district champion, finished in the top eight at state, Second Team All Ohio, and team state champion. Following in 2011 and 2012, she was the sectional champion and district runner up, Second Team All Ohio, finished in the top eight at state, and team state champions. In 2011, she was Second Team OCC and in 2012 she was First Team OCC. That success is something she hopes to build on at Marian.
“I am hoping that we all get along well as a team and build that family bond. I really am looking forward to learning more things to become a better tennis player. My coach is awesome and really fun,” said Betscher.
“On behalf of Lexington Tennis, we are real proud of Elise.” said head coach of Lady Lexington tennis Ron Schaub, “When you think of Elise you think of two things; she is a leader and she in an unbelievable winner. She has accomplished about everything you can accomplish in high school and we know that she will dominate at Marian in the fall.”
Also representing fall sports, football wide receiver Nick Leasure will be heading to Walsh University.
“The overall experience with moving on to this next level is huge.” said the two way starter, “I really liked the campus and football is an upcoming program. I thought it would be great to be a part of,” said Leasure.
“He has a great work ethic and he is a tireless worker. He has got the speed and he sees the game very well,” said Leasure’s position coach Ted Mutti. “He is a level headed player with great character. He will be a missed player.”
Leasure carries 3.6 GPA and plans on studying business finance at Walsh University.
Lady Lex soccer will send two athletes to the next level. Head coach Roxanne Drueschler noted that Hannah Schaefer and Megan Weiss both achieved great things for themselves and in helping the team earn their first OCC Championship trophy.
“They are probably the most competitive and hardworking girls. Our program will miss their leadership next year, but we are so proud of them,” said Drueschler.
Schaefer is a four year varsity letter winner and a two year captain. In 2011 and 2012 she was Honorable Mention OCC and Honorable Mention NW District. For 2013, she was Second Team OCC, Honorable Mention NW District, and NCOSSCA District All Star. Her college decision came down to two choices.
“It was between Adrian and another school and I realized that Adrian was more competitive and I want to work to get better at this game. I have been playing since I was six,” said Schaefer.
Schaefer has a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll. She plans on studying biology/pre-med at Adrian College.
Weiss is a two year varsity letter winner and captain. In 2013, she was Second Team OCC and earned Honorable Mention honors in the Northwest District.
“I have been playing soccer since I was five years old, so I am glad I get to continue playing going into college. My team is just awesome, too,” said Weiss.
Weiss has a 3.4 GPA and she plans to study journalism at Indiana Wesleyan University.
But not all of the athletes are done with their high school careers, Brody Basilone still has a full season to play after winning the OCC championship last year against Ashland in 2013. The senior has some goals to achieve before he heads to Sinclair Community College play baseball as well as major in business.
“I am looking forward to building memories this year and I hope we can win the OCC championship again. I also hope that we can go to state this year,” said Basilone.
Basilone is a three year varsity letter winner. In 2012, he was Second Team Ohio Cardinal Conference (OCC) with Honorable Mention Northwest District. For 2013. He was also the OCC Pitcher of the Year, First Team OCC, Second Team NW District, First Team News Journal, and Honorable Mention All Ohio.
“He is a returning all Ohioan and he is the leader for the most stolen bases. He is our best pitcher and best pure hitter.” Head coach of Lexington Minutemen baseball Kevin Morrow said of the five tool player. “He has that rare combination of speed and power, while also remaining a level headed player. He will be missed next year.”
