Sports are one of the essential pillars of a great school. Cheering for the Irish on Saturdays, watching basketball highlights on a weekday, or even watching your favorite players hit the ice — everyone loves having a little fun. Saint Joe has cultivated this environment with excellent athletes, and last Wednesday, we saw who is taking their talents to the collegiate level. 

The athletes include: Jakayla McKeel, Beau Basney, Noah Boutsomsy, Taylor Hedges, Manny Ortiz, Braxton Myers, Anni Amalnathan, Cle Kimbrough, and Jay Nuber. Whether it’s baseball, football, tennis, golf, or softball, these students are dedicated to their craft. 

McKeel and Hedges will continue their softball careers at Goshen College and Manchester University, respectively. Boutsomsy and Kimbrough are heading to Trine University for football, while Myers and Nuber will play baseball at IUSB and the University of St. Francis. Ortiz will also attend St. Francis for soccer, Amalnathan is set to play tennis at Colorado State University, and Basney is heading to Holy Cross to pursue golf. 

Heading to Saint Francis to play soccer, Manny Ortiz had more to say: “‘We may roll the dice, but it is the Lord who determines how they fall. Ultimately, it was God’s plan, and I’m just happy to have my family and friends support me in my decision to attend The University of St. Francis.” 

Braxton Myers also added, “I chose IUSB because it felt like home to me. My Summer coaches, who both went to IUSB, had a major influence on my decision as well, and I thank them for all the hard work they put into getting me this opportunity.

These Saint Joe students are carving their path, on and off the field, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve in college and beyond.