Brooke Henderson said she’s wanted to play Division I college soccer ever since she was old enough to know there were actually different divisions.
“Now here I am,” she said Wednesday.
Here she is, indeed. The Westlake senior signed a national letter of intent to play for Division I Valparaiso on Wednesday, saying she chose the school over Bowling Green and Western Illinois.
Henderson, a center forward, just really took to the Indiana school.
“I’m looking at engineering and it’s a good school academically,” she said. “It also has a small-school atmosphere. And I love the coaches.”
That’s a good thing since head coach Stephen Anthony recently retired from coaching to take another job in the athletic department, leaving associate head coach John Marovich to take over. Henderson said both coaches recruited her, so she’s comfortable with the change.
A third-team Division I All-Ohio selection and an Academic All-American pick, Henderson knows the college game will be a change.
“The speed of play is higher,” said Henderson, who also plays basketball for the Demons. “It’s a lot more aggressive, a lot more physical. There are also a lot more people at the same level. It will be hard to stand out because everyone’s at the same level.”
Henderson wasn’t the only member of Westlake’s girls soccer team to sign a national letter of intent Wednesday. Teammate Lauren Acker signed to play at Notre Dame College in South Euclid.
“It’s a developing team,” Acker said of the Falcons, who advanced to the NAIA regional semifinals last year in the program’s 13th season.
A sweeper, Acker helped the Demons set school season records last year for least goals allowed and most shutouts.

Connare picks Lehigh

Just one look.
That’s all it took to sell Olmsted Falls senior Cody Connare on playing football for Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
Connare, a 6-foot-3,
235-pound two-way lineman for the Bulldogs, said he knew the Division I school was for him as soon as he made his official visit.
“They offer the perfect mix of excellent athletics and academics,” said Connare, a second-team Division II
All-Ohio selection as a senior and a special mention All-Ohio pick as a junior. “I’ll have the opportunity to play Division I football, compete for a league championship every season and earn a highly regarded degree. The Lehigh coaching staff and facilities are awesome.”
Connare will play defensive end for the Mountain Hawks, who were 5-6 overall last year, 2-4 in the Patriot League.

Shotwell chooses Ashland

Elyria High’s Greg Shotwell will continue his football career at Division II Ashland.
The team’s defensive back of the year, Shotwell led the Pioneers in tackles with 109.
He was a first-team All-Northeast Ohio Conference and All-Lorain County pick and honorable mention All-Northeast District.

Other signees

Keystone’s Mike Herb will play football at Tiffin. The Wildcats quarterback, a first-team All-Lorain County selection, helped lead Keystone to an 8-2 record, its best since a 9-0 season in 1971.
• Two Avon Lake athletes signed Wednesday to play soccer in college: Tommy Kuzniar will play at Case Western Reserve, while Kate Walsh will play at Heidelberg College.

Contact Kevin Aprile at 329-7135 or kaprile@chroncilet.com.  

 

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