Many schools hold individual college commitment signings for their student-athletes, but on May 12, Mount Gilead High School held an event that showcased nine of their finest, committing to further their academic and athletic careers at institutions of higher education. The nine student-athletes are Rebeka Clark, Madilyn Elson, Aaron Gannon, Owen High, Carter Kennon, Candace Millisor, Judah Reid, Lydia Stalnaker and Steven Street.
In his address at the event, Mount Gilead High School athletic director Jack Bault said all honored athletes’ paths to college were greatly different.
“Some of our athletes up here dealt with injuries and other setbacks, but they did not let these hiccups deter them from reaching their goals,” Bault said. “Only a very small percentage of high school athletes go on to participate in college sports, and for us to have nine out of our 77 students who are going to the next level is remarkable.”
Bault offered advice to the athletes going to college for sports.
“You have to LOVE the sport you are participating in,” Bault said. “It will be a full-time job. It will be challenging. You will be surrounded by other athletes who want it just as bad as you. All of your future teammates will want the team to succeed, but these same teammates will also be attempting to earn playing time as well. You have to have that fire, desire and want to in order to flourish. I know that our Mount Gilead students and student-athletes have all those intangibles and will find a way to enjoy their college experience.”
The nine athletes who signed:
Rebeka Clark – Baldwin Wallace (Track)
One letter cross-country, one letter in wrestling, four-year letter winner in track, multiple time regional qualifier in hurdles, member of 2021 state runner-up track team.
Madilyn Elson – Ashland (Track)
Three-year letter in cross-country, three-year letter winner in basketball, three-year letter winner in track; girls basketball KMAC Player of the Year; member of the state runner-up track team; multiple-time KMAC Award winner in basketball and track.
Aaron Gannon – Mount Vernon Nazarene (Cross-country/Track)
Two-year letter winner in cross-country, two-year letter winner in track, two-year letter winner in basketball; multiple All-League and District awards; All-Ohio Track and All-Ohio cross-country runner; member of two KMAC champion cross-country and track championship teams, member of the 2022 state champion cross-country team.
Owen High – Ashland (Track/Football)
Four-year track letter winner, four-year football letter winner; two-year basketball letter winner; earned multiple All-KMAC Awards in both track and football; member of the school’s first-ever playoff football team; member of KMAC champion track team in 2022 and 2023.
Carter Kennon – Defiance (Baseball)
Four-year letter winner in baseball, four-year letter winner in basketball, four-year letter winner in football and multiple-time All-KMAC baseball player.
Candace Millisor – Tiffin (Basketball)
Four-year letter winner in girls basketball, three-year volleyball letter winner; honorable mention KMAC; member of the 2023 Girls Basketball KMAC championship team.
Judah Reid – Baldwin Wallace (Football)
Four-year letter winner in football, one-year letter in track and field, one-year letter in baseball, All-KMAC honors, District Defensive Player of the Year and All-Ohio Football selections and member of the school’s first-ever playoff football team.
Lydia Stalnaker – Principia (Basketball)
Two-year letter winner in girls basketball; named Defensive Player of the Year in 2022; member of 2023 girls basketball KMAC championship team.
Steven Street – Bluffton (Golf)
Four-year letter winner in golf; multiple-time district qualifier.
