The Highland Fighting Scots soccer team is graduating the first two soccer players in their program’s history to go on to play collegiately for an NCAA program. Twin brothers, Cody and Dylan Thomas, signed to play at Heidelberg University (Tiffin, Ohio), during a signing event on March 21 at the Highland High School cafeteria/auditorium.
The 18-year-old Thomas twins are Howard (Apple Valley) residents and have played soccer since they were 4 years old. Both were four-year starters and letter winners at Highland and were team captains, earning Mid Ohio Athletic Conference (MOAC) honors. Neither missed a game in four years and with the exception of goalie, both played every soccer position during a game in high school. Both are currently running track for the Scots and both are receiving the Fellows Award Scholarship at Heidelberg University for academic achievement. Cody Thomas has also earned the Choose Ohio First Scholarship (S.T.E.M. Scholarship).
Highland soccer coach John Sachleben said the twins were always a pleasure to be around.
“They are fun, smart, just all-around good guys,” Sachleben said. “They are very coachable and very respectful, selfless players who have tremendous skill and put the team first.”
Cody Thomas said he was going to miss playing soccer at Highland.
“I loved playing for Coach Sachleben,” Cody Thomas said. “We had a lot of fun and I made so many memories, including winning the program’s first-ever playoff game.”
His choice of Heidelberg came to wanting to attend a small college where he would get to know the professors and they would get to know him.
“I also knew that finding a school that offered biology (pre-med) was a must,” he said. “When I first got on Heidelberg’s campus, I loved it. It was the perfect size for me. Then, after meeting a few biology professors, along with getting to spend time with Coach Spell (Men’s Head Soccer Coach Nick Spell), Heidelberg just felt right. And having my brother (Dylan) go to the same college and continuing to play with me, is going to be really cool.”
Dylan Thomas wanted a college close to home, where he could study education and play soccer.
“Heidelberg checked the box for everything on my college wish list,” Dylan Thomas said. “I have been able to spend a lot of time on Heidelberg’s campus so far, and I have already met a lot of really nice people. The education professors really seem to want their students to learn and do well. Also, I am able to play with Cody (brother) for four more years. We have played soccer together for 15 years, and to be able to continue together means a lot. I will miss Highland. I will miss the teachers and staff, and I will miss my soccer coaches and teammates.”
