The Indian Lake High School Track program is growing and producing more college athletes.
Case in point, senior Callie Notestine recently signed to join the Track and Field team at Capital University in Bexley, a suburb of Columbus. Notestine has been a pole vaulter at Indian Lake for the past four years. Even through the covid-19 break and difficulty finding a specialized coach, Notestine has been a consistent vaulter. Still, she never really expected to be recruited for a collegiate team.
After enrolling in Capital as a student for next fall and filling out interest questionnaires, she got a surprise message.
“The track coach texted me and was like, hey- I saw you are interested in track as a pole vaulter. So, we talked about it and he ended the phone call with ‘you’re now a college athlete!’”
Callie is excited to join the growing Comets team and continue to improve her vaults. She plans to study education in hopes of becoming an intervention specialist.
Callie is the daughter of Dan and Tracey Notestine of Lewistown.
Indian Lake pitching standout Trenton Fulkerson is taking aim at Ohio Northern University. He officially signed to play baseball for the Polar Bears in a recent ceremony in front of a room full of friends and family.
Fulkerson was a Second Team All CBC pitcher last season and is currently 5th in wins in the league this season.
As a strong student-athlete, Fulkerson is set become an ILHS Valedictorian. He hopes to pitch and play outfield at ONU, while studying Civil Engineering.
"It's one of the only schools that has my major of civil engineering, which is what I really want to go in to," Fulkerson continued, "I love the campus, the coaching staff there is really good--Stechshulte, Silvis and Lavelle---that's just a group of guys I can really see myself being a part of."
Trenton is the son of Andy and Amanda Fulkerson of Huntsville.
Indian Lake football defensive lineman Nash Eaton is headed to Hocking College. He signed with the Hawks recently surrounded by family and friends.
Eaton was an important part of the Indian Lake defensive and offensive lines for the last several seasons. He earned Second Team All CBC as a senior.
Indian Lake Head Football Coach Jonn Rapp said, "Nash overcame a lot of adversity (injuries) while in high school to put himself in this position and should be commended for that."
Nash originally planned to play football at a junior college on the west coast.
However, he is now excited to commit to a 2-year program much closer to home that has been revamped in the past few years with coaches from out west.
“The D-line coach texted me and called and he was like ‘hey, we’ve got the same opportunity you’re going to get out there here in Ohio. I know west coast football is where it’s at…but I can give you that feel at Hocking.”
Eaton is already doing workouts and will report to Hocking College this summer. He plans to study business administration and financial accounting. Nash is the son of Mathew and Melissa Eaton of Belle Center.
Three-sport Laker standout Luke Jackson is excited to be focusing on one sport for Wittenberg University. He recently signed to play football for the Tigers next fall. Jackson has lettered in football, basketball and baseball for the Lake, but football is his first love.
"Luke was Mr. Versatile. His knowledge of football allowed our offense and defense to overachieve because he could play so many different positions at such a high level," explained IL Head Football Coach Jonn Rapp.
As a senior defensive back, Jackson earned CBC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team CBC. He also garnered Southwest District and State honors as a senior. He earned First Team CBC as a junior and Special Mention as a sophomore.
Jackson will take his defensive skills to Wittenberg and play as a safety for new Coach Jim Collins.
Jackson said, "Wittenberg was one of the first camps I went to and I really like the campus. The facilities are the most impressive ones I've seen. They just had a coaching change and I really have a good connection with the coaches. We clicked pretty well and our energies really match."
Between being close to home, but not too close and knowing people on the Tiger team, Luke felt Wittenberg was the best fit for him. He plans to study sports management and hopes to become a grad assistant after his playing days. Jackson's ultimate goal is to become a college football coach.
"Big Smooth" is hoping for a seamless transition from high school to college football. Indian Lake senior lineman Logan Evans officially signed to play for Wilmington College recently. He was joined by many supportive family members and friends.
Evans was a force to be reckoned with on the football field for the Lakers. As a lineman, he earned 2nd Team CBC honors as a sophomore and First Team CBC both his junior and senior seasons. He also earned Southwest District honors and state recognition. IL Head Football Coach Jonn Rapp says Evans was one of the big reasons Indian Lake won a CBC title this fall.
"Smooth was our do it all lineman. I've always preached that the line is the most important position in football and he was our do it all guy. He could play any of the line positions and knew them well enough to teach or coach other guys what to do as well," said
Small, but mighty, Colin Burba is heading to Bluffton University to play college football. He officially signed his letter of intent in front of friends and family recently.
Burba served as a tenacious linebacker for the Lakers, helping lead Indian Lake to a CBC Football Championship his senior season and earning him the CBC Sportsmanship Award. He is excited to take his game to the next level with the Beavers and Head Coach Matthew Nardo.
"Bluffton is a great atmosphere. There's good people there and I'm so happy they contacted me," Burba continued. "They are very helpful in the athletic and academic portion."
Burba plans to study Sports Management and, like high school, he aims for being in the top of his class.
He adds, "Hopefully, I'll become a leader on the field and help others become leaders and just get wins."
Indian Lake running back Eli Slagle is taking his game to Muskingum University next fall. He officially signed to play football for the Fighting Muskies recently in front of a packed crowd of family, friends and teammates at ILHS.
Slagle is one of the most prolific running backs in Laker history, helping Indian Lake capture two CBC titles, including his senior season. In his IL career, Slagle racked up 2,850 career yards rushing, 358 career yards receiving, 38 career touchdowns and 114 career tackles. He earned 1st Team CBC honors as a senior, and 2nd Team CBC as a sophomore and junior.
Slagle is excited to move on to the collegiate level for athletics and academics.
"They've got a new 42-million dollar facility and they've got a lot of freshman looking at them, so I'm excited to be there in the fall. They've got a really good Sports Management program down there. I'll be taking business classes, along with that and get my degree."
ILHS Head Football Coach Jonn Rapp is proud of Slagle's commitment to the game. "Eli's natural ability along with his continual growth and quiet workman-like attitude made him a great player and example for IL."
Eli will play running back for Head Coach Erik Ieuter. With several colleges interested in him, Slagle says Muskingum felt like a good home.
"It feels like a Division II or even I campus-style. They just have a lot of opportunities there. A lot of the coaches I built relationships with just in the short time I was there."
Slagle will soon begin specialized workouts and report to the Muskingum University Campus over the summer. Congratulations!!
Indian Lake Girls Soccer player Erin Miller is taking her athletic career a step further at the University of Northwestern Ohio. Miller officially signed her letter of intent to play soccer for the Racers recently, surrounded by her family, friends and coaches.
Miller has played forward, wing and mid-defensive positions for the Lakers during her high school career. She is excited to keep playing on the pitch.
"I like their campus because it's close to home. My goal is to study Business Management, so when I graduate college I'll be able to to have a wide variety of jobs to choose from. Soccer-wise, I would like to go pro after college if I'm able to."
UNOH Women's Assistant Soccer Coach Roberto Varela says, "I think she can be a really good asset to the team. We're trying to make sure that we are recruiting quality players who are going to contribute to the culture and success of the team and think that she can help us."
Miller will begin pre-season training on campus in Lima with the Racers this spring.
Indian Lake senior soccer standout Reid Vance will continue his career on the pitch at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
He made it official by signing his letter of commitment in front of family, coaches and friends on Monday.
Vance is excited to become a Cougar and play for Coach Zach Ganzberg.
He says, “It’s a very welcoming community and they’re growing a good program.”
Vance will contribute as a center midfielder/center defensive midfielder. As a Laker, Vance was named First Team CBC as a junior and a senior. He earned Second Team CBC honors as a sophomore. This season, he led Indian Lake in goals. He becomes just the sixth Laker ever to sign to play in college.
While attending Mount Vernon Nazarene University Reid plans to study accounting and financial advising.
2020-21
ILHS Senior track standout Dustin Franks will continue his athletic career at nearby Wittenberg University.
Franks officially signed recently surrounded by his parents, coaches and friends. He is excited to become a part of the Tiger team and academic community.
He said, “I really like the look of the campus, the size and the buildings are really beautiful. They have a new Graphic Design department and they’ve got a beautiful indoor track facility.”
Franks is a multi-sport athlete at Indian Lake, playing football, swimming and shining at track and field. His resume includes being a two-time Indoor State Medalist in Triple Jump, CBC Track Athlete of the Year, CBC 1st Team Long Jump, CBC 2nd Team High Jump, 100M Hurdles, and 300m Hurdles, 1st Team All-Conference, Indian Lake's Most Valuable Field Award and Athletic Booster Award, and the Most Valuable Male Athlete of the recent Raider Invitational. Franks holds the Indian Lake School Record for Triple Jump. He is the USA Track & Field District Champion for High Jump and Long Jump, a USA T&F Regional Qualifier in High Jump, Long Jump,110m Hurdles, and Triple Jump and a National Qualifier in High Jump and Long Jump. Finally, Franks is the AAU District Champion and Regional Qualifier High Jump and Long Jump.
Indian Lake senior football kicker Derek Cline is taking his footwork to Marietta College next fall.
Surrounded by his parents, Lenny and Kim, siblings Dylan and Jenna, and many friends, Derek officially signed to play football for the Pioneers. Like he did for the Lakers the past four seasons, Cline will serve as a place kicker.
He says for him, Marietta College is an all-around fit.
“I love their academics and their Health Science program. Also Coach Waddle was super nice and the family atmosphere at Marietta is awesome.”
Cline earned First Team Central Buckeye Conference honors his sophomore and senior years. He was also a second team CBC kicker as a freshman. In addition, Cline also earned league Special Mention honors as a senior soccer player for Indian Lake.
Cline says this commitment is extra special because his father is a Marietta College graduate.
Indian Lake senior baseball pitcher Isaac Roby is ready to hit the field after losing his junior season to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Roby recently signed to play baseball for the Miami Middletown University ThunderHawks program. Roby’s parents, Amie and Joe Roby, sister Tori, and several friends joined him as he made it official. Miami Middletown Coaches Ken Prichard and Matt Haddix were also at Indian Lake for the event, along with IL Head Coach Ryan Lillard.
With baseball season officially underway this weekend, Roby is raring to go.
“This season, for me, is all about proving myself and for the team to get a CBC title,” Roby said.
As a sophomore during the 2019 baseball season, Roby was one of the Central Buckeye Conference’s leading pitchers with 7 wins. He also led the team in strike-outs. When not pitching, Roby is a solid outfielder.
He looks forward to the next few months as a Laker and then moving on to the Miami Middletown program.
“The ThunderHawks are all about developing players and helping them improve on their baseball skills to either help them go to the Oxford campus or another school in a higher division.”
Roby plans to study science education in hopes of becoming a Chemistry teacher.
Indian Lake wrestling star Hayden Pummel solidified his future this week by officially signing to wrestle for Division I Northern Illinois University.
He was joined by his father Rick, mother Keely and brother Owen, along with Coaches Ryan Dickson and Phil Mackesy at Indian Lake High School for a signing ceremony.
Pummel has had his sights set on collegiate wrestling for many years and he says putting ink to paper is the culmination of years of training and commitment.
“This is a big moment for me. I was able to get it out of the way, almost, just sign and have this big pressure relieved off my shoulders of knowing that I’m able to go wrestle in college and that I’m one of the best to come through the room.”
As a freshman, Pummel went one and two at Districts in the 160-pound weight class. As a sophomore, he moved up to third in Districts and placed 7th in the State Wrestling Meet. Before Covid-19 hit, Pummel wrestled to a District first place finish as a junior. He stands as the projected State Champion in the 160-pound weight class for the 2020 season, which never saw a conclusion to the state tournament. Pummel is hoping the 2021 season can end the way he’s always dreamed.
“Going forward for this wrestling season coming up, the expectations/goals are the same. I’m still training everyday to become a state champ. That was the goal since I was a freshman, was to be a multi-time state champ. Unfortunately, those goals have been marked off. This is the last time I can, so I’m really training hard to get it done this year.”
Indian Lake's wrestling season begins with a meet at home on December 9th.
Pummel will wrestle for Coach Ryan Ludwig at Northern Illinois University, which is located in DeKalb, Illinois.