Four more student athletes joined a list of more than a dozen Avon Lake seniors that have committed to play collegiate athletics.

On Wednesday afternoon, senior Nick Brady, Kelly Bruce, Collin Holmes and Matt Marron were honored in front of friends and family for their college choices.

Representatives from across the Avon Lake school district all spoke about how all four were students first and represented the community well.

"Avon Lake is very proud to send out such good scholar athletes," Superintendent Bob Scott said.

Brady will continue his education and baseball career at Marietta College.

"It was a great atmosphere," Brady said. "The coaches are great guys and they had the programs that I wanted."

Brady is still split on his choice of study.

"I am undecided between either Accounting to follow my dad and (could) work in the FBI after college or I may enter their new sports business program as well."

Bruce suffered a devastating knee injury before her senior season of basketball. She thought it might be the end of her athletic career.

"My first thought was not to play in college but luckily they gave me the chance to do that so I am very thankful."

Bruce will study Exercise Science to become a Physical Therapist at Mount Union where she will play basketball under Susie Venet.

"I like the way they use everyone on the bench," Bruce said. "It is very fast paced and it should be a good fit."

Her head coach Frank Coughlin was impressed by her dedication to return after the injury.

"It is a testament to how hard she worked to rehab," he said.

Holmes was a senior leader on only the second Avon Lake golf team to qualify for state. He will continue his golf career at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.

"The coach called me and we really hit if off," Holmes said. "I liked the kids and the campus."

Holmes has found memories of his senior season and qualifying for the state tournament.

"It was great," he said. "The atmosphere was amazing. Winning district by one stroke was a lot of fun."

His head coach Amy Manco is happy with his decision.

"He was a leader that helped us get to Columbus, Manco said. "I’m glad he has chosen to continue with college golf. I think he will love the experience."

Marron will run cross-country and track at Mount Union. He went on several college visits but knew when he got home from Mount Union; it was where he wanted to spend the next four years.

"It was amazing, " he said. "When I got back from Mount Union there was nothing I could nit-pick. I loved the coaches, the team, everything."

Marron has a lot of respect for his Cross Country head coach Rob Juergens.

"Coach has had a big impact on my running career," Marron said. "I don’t know what I will do without him. He has given me mental toughness."

Juergens is proud of Marron.

"It was a pleasure to work with an athlete like Matt," he said. "I think he has made a good choice and it is a good fit."

Courtesy of ZACHARY DZURICK

Mount Union’s nationally ranked women’s basketball team avenged an earlier loss to John Carroll with its best offensive game of the season and claimed a 94-79 decision in Ohio Athletic Conference action on Wednesday.

North Olmsted’s Kori Wiedt scored 18 points, while Westlake’s Rosa LaMattina added 10.

With the win and an Ohio Northern loss on Wednesday, the Purple Raiders (15-3, 8-3) are now in sole possession of second place in the OAC.

Mount Union, which is ranked 18th by D3Hoops.com and is tied for 22nd on the ESPN/USA Today poll, will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Capital at 2 p.m.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Westlake’s Rosa LaMattina missed the game-tying shot at the buzzer as the No. 22 ranked Mount Union women's basketball team suffered a 66-64 loss Saturday at Capital.

The win gave Capital the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season title and the No. 1 seed in next week's OAC Tournament.

Mount Union (21-4, 14-4 OAC) will be the the No. 2 seed and host No. 7 seed Otterbein on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in an OAC Tournament quarterfinal game.

LaMattina had 14 points while Kori Wiedt (North Olmsted) had 11 to lead the Raiders.

Last week, LaMattina was named the OAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. She scored a career-high 27 points to lead Mount Union to a 81-78 win over Baldwin-Wallace. She came back with 18 points in a 68-66 win at Otterbein to give Mount Union its first 20-win season since 1997-98.

swalker@MorningJournal.com