For most, the dream of a National Signing Day ceremony does not start to materialize until an athlete's freshman year. The idea of being the reason everyone came to be witness instead of another witness is appealing to all levels of athletes. On February 5th, however, the message resounded for three MHS athletes that their goals took a lot more than just four years' hard work.
The coaches of Jacob Glass, CJ Kessler and Alyssa Molnar each head up very different programs, but said the same thing about their high achieving athletes: their character was built on an erring foundation of hard work.
Superintendent Angela Smith echoed this sentiment as she stated that you simply "do not get these scholarships without also performing in the classroom." She referenced the idea that the individuals who draw the crowds on signing day do so because they are so much more than just talented athletes.
It is no wonder, then, that Principal Fisher beamed with pride as he handed each signee their own commemorative Madison High School pen and watched as they committed to their futures. While each represents some of the best qualities MHS has to offer, they have showcased them in very different ways.
Jacob Glass - Football - Walsh University (Division II)
Under Head Coach Tim Willis, Jacob earned three Varsity letters. Willis went above and beyond to praise Jacob's work ethic revealing he had only missed a couple of workouts out of the near 2,000 that have been scheduled while he attended high school.
When Asstant Coach Tim Mainello spoke, he seconded Willis's opinion of Jacob and praised the player's absolute unwillingness to ever let his teammates down. This quality, he said, is what makes Jacob a stellar athlete and friend.
For his part, Jacob stated that playing in college was not where his athletic dream began. "The dream is all the moments you encounter along the way," he said. Jacob will join former teammate Mark Primer at Walsh, but holds the unique distinction of being Coach Willis's last signing for MHS as he enters football retirement next season.
CJ Kessler - Soccer - Baldwin Wallace University (Division III)
CJ earned three Varsity letters while playing for Head Coach Julio Gutierrez. Before he gave praise to CJ, Gutierrez applauded BW for having chosen "a great player."
CJ's father agreed that his athletic future was bright, but so was his academic career. His parents wanted to emphasize that they were just as proud of what CJ had accomplished in the classroom as they were of soccer.
"Playing soccer has always been a dream," CJ told the gathered crowd. Playing soccer with all of his friends has been a "great honor," a phrase CJ was quick to repeatedly emphasize. As an explanation for all of his success, CJ singled out close friend and teammate Fabian Ruiz-Diaz. "I wouldn't be where I am without him," he said.
Alyssa Molnar - Golf - Mount Union University (Division III)
Alyssa might have been the only female to sign on Wednesday, but the distinction carrying the most significance was being the only four-year Varsity letter winner on the stage. Coach Brian Titman explained that Alyssa was another great chapter in a program that has a history of sending girls onto the next level. Girls' golf has had five signees in the past eight seasons.
He went on to explain that this accomplishment was something to be very proud of, however, it was not only hers. Just as she could not have done it without her teammates, her teammates would not have found their own success without Alyssa's leadership. This revolving door of support continues to spin out more and more impressive accomplishments. Alyssa continued this theme as she extensively thanked all of the people who helped her to make this a reality.
She leaves behind a legacy as a leader of the first girls' golf team to capture a Western Reserve Conference Title.
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