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MINSTER - Wednesday was a busy day for Minster athletics as four athletes made college commitments on the first day when athletes could sign letters of intent.
Two members of the Wildcats' Division VII state baseball championship team committed as Reese Beair will play at Wittenberg University and Andrew Wiss will play at Wright State University-Lake Campus.
Cole Albers will head north to play basketball at Hillsdale College. Jenna Belcher will stay closer to home to play basketball at Ohio Northern University.
Minster's Reese Beair, seated center, will attend Wittenberg University to play baseball.
Beair found a home in Springfield to play for the Tigers.
"They seemed very accepting," said Beair, who will major in exercise science and physical training. "They had a plan for me and I thought their plan fit me. Their system is good, the facilities are good and I liked everything about it."
The Tigers, playing in the NCAA Division III North Coast Athletic Conference, finished 29-12 and 11-4 in the NCAC, losing to Denison and Wooster in the double-elimination postseason tournament.
"They had a good year last year and they're building momentum," said Beair. "Good to see them climbing."
Beair, a second baseman and designated hitter, was a clutch hitter for the Wildcats last spring as the program won its fourth state title. Beair batted .355 with 23 runs and 14 runs batted in.
"I think I'll take with me (the mindset) to not settle," said Beair. "To have the positive mindset like coach (Mike) Wiss."
Andrew Wiss, seated center, will attend Wright State University-Lake Campus to play baseball.
Staying close to home was key for Wiss.
"I've had a lot of connections growing up on the baseball field with Dad (Wildcats head coach Mike Wiss) and with people around me," said the younger Wiss, who will major in middle childhood education. "Last year, going to the state championship, put our names out there. I took the chance to stay close to home and continue my dream to play baseball as long as I can.
The Lakers finished 15-19 last season, facing a mix of community colleges and smaller colleges in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.
"It's definitely a step up," said Wiss. "The competition around here (in high school baseball) is like no other. Running into teams like Coldwater, Delphos (St. John's) and Versailles on a daily basis is not a thing a lot of teams come across. As I take this next step, it will give me an edge having already seen it."
Wiss manned shortstop for his dad's squad last season and shined defensively. Wiss batted .229 with five runs scored as he was often hit for by the designated hitter.
Cole Albers, seated center, will attend Hillsdale College to play basketball for the Chargers.
Albers was getting looks by a number of schools, but it was the Chargers out of Hillsdale, Michigan, that suited him.
"From the moment I stepped on campus for the official visit, I knew it was home," said Albers, who will major in accounting. "It was different from every other place I've been to."
The Chargers, playing in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, finished 20-10 last season and 13-7 in the G-MAC, losing to Malone in the conference semifinals. The team already has a MAC presence as Versailles graduate Connor Stonebraker played in 13 games last season for the Chargers.
"It's a great program. I like what coach (Keven) Bradley has done up there," said Albers. "I think I will be able to fit into his system up there, for what he has done with other big players"
The 6-8 Albers, an honorable mention All-Ohioan last season, averaged 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as the Wildcats reached the district finals in Division VII. Albers shot 62.1% from the field.
"The work ethic around here is unreal, which creates all the success around here," said Albers.
Jenna Belcher, seated center, will attend Ohio Northern University to play basketball.
A chance trip to Ada helped lock in Belcher's commitment to the Polar Bears.
"To start, the coaches came to my AAU games through the summer," said Belcher, who will major in physical therapy. "That was super fun. My dad said 'Let's just go on a visit.' The campus is what really hooked me in. I knew they had a very good program, similar to the one we have here at Minster."
Ohio Northern finished 19-8 and 14-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, losing to Baldwin Wallace in the OAC tournament final after winning back-to-back tournament championships and went NCAA Division III tournament berths.
"I talked to Coach (Mark Huelsman). He said they run a fast-paced offense and very hard on defense," said Belcher. "Those are my favorite things."
Belcher was a key player in the Wildcats reaching the state final four last season. Belcher averaged 3.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
When asked about what she'll take from her years at Minster, Belcher focused on one area.
"Everything my coaches - Mike (Wiss), Shelly (Wolf) and Nann (Stechschulte)," said Belcher. "Just (my) work ethic and giving it all."
