MORGANTOWN — As the 2022-23 school year comes to an end and many student-athletes close the door on their high school careers, there was still another door to be opened for some local seniors on Tuesday.
University High School celebrated three seniors on Tuesday, Clay-Battelle one and Preston High four, each signing their letters of intent to continue their athletic careers in college.
UHS’s Jake Crosten began the day by signing with Fairmont State University to play football. Originally intending on trying to play baseball in college, Crosten found success at long snapper for the Hawks and is excited to have the opportunity to continue playing and learning the unique position.
“I wanted to try and play baseball at first but I went to camps the summer before the football season and really locked in,” Crosten said. “I got with some of the coaches from Fairmont and they saw me snapping and wanted to see me more so I visited and they offered me a spot.”
He said the way everything worked out was funny, seeing as FSU was one of his top schools to attend.
“That’s the school I really wanted to go to,” he said. “It’s affordable and close to home but still has that school environment I’m excited for.”
Classmate Dakota Hagedorn will join Crosten on campus in Fairmont but as a member of the wrestling team.
“I went to an FSU recruiting camp and had a great experience,” Dakota said. “Coach (Gennaro) Bonaventura and their staff really make it feel like home and that really stood out. It’s always been a dream of mine to wrestle in college and this gives me the chance to continue doing what I love and trying to reach my dreams.”
“I have known Dakota since he was five years old,” UHS head coach Ken Maisel said. “He has been such a huge part of our program for four years and is only one of five, four-time state place-winners in the history of our program. He leads by example and FSU is getting a good one.”
Finally for UHS, Emily Sharkey signed with WVU Tech to play women’s basketball.
“I’ve been playing basketball since the third grade and it’s been a part of me for my whole life,” Sharkey said. “It’s been the best part of my day every day and it means a lot to me to be able to continue playing. It really felt like a family here, I’m a little sad to leave now, especially with the new coach and what is building in the program, but I’m so happy to be able to play at the next level.”
Across the county, Carson Shriver of Clay-Battelle High School signed to play football at Waynesburg University. Shriver will go down as one of the most-remembered athletes for C-B in not only football but also a member of the state semifinal boys’ basketball team.
“It was stressful getting the process done, but it was fun to visit so many schools,” Shriver said of his recruiting experience. “Waynesburg ended up being the best choice for my family and me. I love the coaching staff there and the environment. We have a chance to be a talented team with the class we have coming in and the guys that are there already. I can’t wait to get started.”
Shriver praised the community support around the entire C-B community and said he will always remember where he came from.
“I can’t be more proud of what I’ve accomplished and I know I couldn’t have done any of it without my teammates and coaches and family,” he said. “I’m blessed to be in this position and can’t wait to get going in the fall.”
Across the county line at Preston High School, four Knights signed to make their college plans official.
The signing day ceremony, which Preston hopes to make a new yearly occurrence, began with Sierra Davis signing for track and field with West Liberty University.
Davis, the 2022 WVSSAC state champion in the discus, will throw both the discus and shot put for the Hilltoppers. She said she never even originally planned to join the Preston track team.
“Sophomore year, I wasn’t actually planning to do track in high school, it just kind of happened,” she said. “It’s kind of weird, I wasn’t planning on doing it and now I’m at this point.”
Classmate Dealaynie Myers, too, was surprised to have the opportunity to continue her athletic career, signing with West Virginia Wesleyan softball.
“It was unexpected,” she said. “I applied just as a student and then the coach contacted me and saw me at tournaments and offered me the chance to play.
“It was shocking, I honestly didn’t think college sports would be anything for me. I’m glad and happy to continue my journey.”
Finally, two members of the Preston football team, Levi Lowdermilk and Kalaomuso Newlon-Brown, signed to play football at Bethany College. They’ll both join the Bison defense as Lowdermilk will play linebacker and Newlon-Brown defensive tackle.
“They’re the first school to reach out and they’re giving me a great opportunity to show what I can do,” Newlon-Brown said. “Maybe if I do good enough there I can move up, or I can just be a Bison forever. The end goal is to help the Bison, help out with the community and be the best I can be.”
Cody Nespor contributed reporting from Kingwood
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