July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Niekamp, Schmitz to play in college (04/24/03)
Niekamp, Schmitz to play in college (04/24/03)
FORT RECOVERY — Fort Recovery and the Midwest Athletic Conference added two more names to the list of college athletes they churn out every year.
Tyler Niekamp signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play football and basketball at Findlay University, while fellow Fort Recovery senior Sarah Schmitz inked a deal to play softball at the University of St. Francis. The duo joins a host of Indians who have moved on to play at the collegiate level.
“It’s really a neat thing for these kids,” said Fort Recovery athletics director Barb Sautbine. “I’m really happy for them. It’s always neat to have a kid from Fort Recovery play at the next level.”
Niekamp said it was the many trips to Findlay — about an hour and a half north of Fort Recovery on Interstate 75 — he’s taken over the years which drove his choice to attend college there. He has made those voyages because the Oilers’ basketball coach is his uncle Ron Niekamp.
He said he was excited at the opportunity to play two sports, joining his uncles’ basketball team and the football squad led by Dan Simrell.
He is slated to play quarterback for the football team, which finished 9-2 last season. He said he will likely redshirt his first season of basketball with his uncle’s squad after its 23-8 season this year.
“I didn’t really think I’d have the opportunity to play basketball,” said Niekamp. “Toward the end of the season I had some good games.
“The goal for next year is to decide which sport to play. I just want to be successful and get a good education.”
One of those “good” performances was a 52-point effort against Waynesfield-Goshen in the opening round of sectional play. It marked the second highest single-game total in Indian history, and also pushed him over the 1,000-point mark.
The six-foot-three Niekamp finished his senior basketball season averaging 19 points per game to lead his squad. He also led the team in rebounds with 6.3 per game.
He was the top 3-point shooter — hitting 44 on the season — and also shot 50 percent from the field and 76 percent from the foul line.
“Tyler was one of the most versatile players in the league this year,” said Joe Bruns, who recently stepped down as the Indians’ basketball coach. “He’s a great outside shooter and he can also post up and score inside.
“Tyler is going to be a great addition to Findlay.”
Niekamp, who plans to major in education, also had his share of successes on the gridiron, finishing as the school’s all-time career leader in passing yards for the Indians. He completed 68 passes for 876 yards and four touchdowns during his senior season, in which the team went 2-8.
He also rushed for 583 yards and three touchdowns and served as the team’s punter with an average of 35 yards per kick. He led the team with 86 tackles from his linebacker spot.
“I’m excited for Tyler,” said Fort Recovery football coach Mark Fenik. “I think he’s one of those guys who got overlooked and now will be playing in a very competitive conference.
“Tyler is smart enough to adopt to any situation. I think he’s versatile enough to play any position, even if quarterback doesn’t work out.”
Schmitz said she was attracted to St. Francis (Fort Wayne) because of its excellent art program. She plans on being a commercial arts major.
She will play for coach Ken Nuber’s team, which is 15-19 thus far this season.
“(Head coach Marie Osterholt and assistant coach Jerry Kaup) have helped us all tremendously,” said Schmitz, who said improvement was her main goal as she moves to the college ranks. “I want to get in right away on the varsity squad and make a difference.”
Schmitz was the top pitcher last season when the Fort Recovery softball team recorded its first winning season in school history (14-7), and remains in that spot this year. She was 7-5 last season, and has recorded a 6-2 start so far in 2003.
She struck out 44 batters in 2002 while allowing 49 walks and garnering a 3.60 ERA. She is a career .307 hitter and scored 36 times last year while driving in 21 runs and stealing 28 bases.
“I’m very proud of Sarah,” said Osterholt. “She’s a great kid. She does a great job, and she’s just a great leader out there.
“It’s her passion, she loves the game and she gives it everything she’s got.”[[In-content Ad]]
Tyler Niekamp signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play football and basketball at Findlay University, while fellow Fort Recovery senior Sarah Schmitz inked a deal to play softball at the University of St. Francis. The duo joins a host of Indians who have moved on to play at the collegiate level.
“It’s really a neat thing for these kids,” said Fort Recovery athletics director Barb Sautbine. “I’m really happy for them. It’s always neat to have a kid from Fort Recovery play at the next level.”
Niekamp said it was the many trips to Findlay — about an hour and a half north of Fort Recovery on Interstate 75 — he’s taken over the years which drove his choice to attend college there. He has made those voyages because the Oilers’ basketball coach is his uncle Ron Niekamp.
He said he was excited at the opportunity to play two sports, joining his uncles’ basketball team and the football squad led by Dan Simrell.
He is slated to play quarterback for the football team, which finished 9-2 last season. He said he will likely redshirt his first season of basketball with his uncle’s squad after its 23-8 season this year.
“I didn’t really think I’d have the opportunity to play basketball,” said Niekamp. “Toward the end of the season I had some good games.
“The goal for next year is to decide which sport to play. I just want to be successful and get a good education.”
One of those “good” performances was a 52-point effort against Waynesfield-Goshen in the opening round of sectional play. It marked the second highest single-game total in Indian history, and also pushed him over the 1,000-point mark.
The six-foot-three Niekamp finished his senior basketball season averaging 19 points per game to lead his squad. He also led the team in rebounds with 6.3 per game.
He was the top 3-point shooter — hitting 44 on the season — and also shot 50 percent from the field and 76 percent from the foul line.
“Tyler was one of the most versatile players in the league this year,” said Joe Bruns, who recently stepped down as the Indians’ basketball coach. “He’s a great outside shooter and he can also post up and score inside.
“Tyler is going to be a great addition to Findlay.”
Niekamp, who plans to major in education, also had his share of successes on the gridiron, finishing as the school’s all-time career leader in passing yards for the Indians. He completed 68 passes for 876 yards and four touchdowns during his senior season, in which the team went 2-8.
He also rushed for 583 yards and three touchdowns and served as the team’s punter with an average of 35 yards per kick. He led the team with 86 tackles from his linebacker spot.
“I’m excited for Tyler,” said Fort Recovery football coach Mark Fenik. “I think he’s one of those guys who got overlooked and now will be playing in a very competitive conference.
“Tyler is smart enough to adopt to any situation. I think he’s versatile enough to play any position, even if quarterback doesn’t work out.”
Schmitz said she was attracted to St. Francis (Fort Wayne) because of its excellent art program. She plans on being a commercial arts major.
She will play for coach Ken Nuber’s team, which is 15-19 thus far this season.
“(Head coach Marie Osterholt and assistant coach Jerry Kaup) have helped us all tremendously,” said Schmitz, who said improvement was her main goal as she moves to the college ranks. “I want to get in right away on the varsity squad and make a difference.”
Schmitz was the top pitcher last season when the Fort Recovery softball team recorded its first winning season in school history (14-7), and remains in that spot this year. She was 7-5 last season, and has recorded a 6-2 start so far in 2003.
She struck out 44 batters in 2002 while allowing 49 walks and garnering a 3.60 ERA. She is a career .307 hitter and scored 36 times last year while driving in 21 runs and stealing 28 bases.
“I’m very proud of Sarah,” said Osterholt. “She’s a great kid. She does a great job, and she’s just a great leader out there.
“It’s her passion, she loves the game and she gives it everything she’s got.”[[In-content Ad]]
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