12 Student Athletes Make College Commitments

Twelve Westlake High School students made public their college and athletic choices May 16 at a ceremony in the Performing Arts Center at Westlake High School.

The students were introduced by Westlake Athletic Director Tony Cippolone.

“They deserve this kind of day,” Cippolone said. “With their teammates have had a great run here in the past several years.”

Included in the 12 was Alexis Tamas who will be rowing for Eastern Michigan University. Although she did not play for Westlake, Cippolone noted that she still represented the high school.

Jamie Lackner:  College of Wooster-Baseball

Lackner, the son of Ernie and Karen, will play baseball for the Scots of the College of Wooster. Jamie was a three sport letterman this past year, lettering in baseball, soccer and basketball. He was the captain for basketball and baseball and was first team all SWC as a goalie for the regional soccer finalist Demons. He was also named as an honorable mention all SWC basketball performer and has been All SWC in baseball. Lackner is also a member of the National Honor Society as well a Leadership Challenge. He intends to study Business and Economics.

Maggie Zimmerman: Allegheny College-Basketball

Zimmerman is the daughter of Mike and Mary Beth Zimmerman. Maggie will play basketball for the Gators of Allegheny College. Maggie was a 3 year varsity starter and was a captain her senior year. She was named as a second team All SWC performer both as a junior and senior and was an honorable mention selection as a sophomore. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the honor roll. At this time she is  undecided on a major.

Bryan Mackenzie:  Otterbein University-Basketball

Mackenzie is the son of John and Kathy Mackenzie. He will play basketball for the Cardinals. Bryan was a First Team All SWC selection in football and was 2nd Team All SWC in basketball both as a junior and senior. He was also an honorable mention All District player this past season. He is undecided on a major.

Nick Wertman: Oberlin College-Soccer

Wertman is the son of Mike and Tina Wertman and he will join the Yeomen soccer team. He will graduate Summa Cum Laude and is a member of the National Honor Society and the US Academic Achievement Academy. He was named as the SWC Player of the Year, the Plain Dealer Player of the Year and 1st Team All SWC. He was a Greater Cleveland 1st Team Selection and 2nd Team All Ohio as well as All Ohio Academic. His teams were two times regional finalist. He is undecided about a major at this time.

Alex Massaad:  Heidelberg University-Football

Massaad is the son of Louis and Barb Massaad. He will play football for Heidelberg. While at WHS, he was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of Concert Band. He was voted as the Most Improved Player for the Demons. At this time Alex is undecided on a major.

Ciara Zale:  Cuyahoga Community College-Softball

Zale is the daughter of Sherean and Roland Zale. While at Westlake, Ciara was a four-year member of the softball team and  two year member of the volleyball team. She will be pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Health and Physical Education while playing softball for the Challengers.

Danny Strodtbeck: Heidelberg University-Baseball

Stodtbeck  is the son of Tom and Sandy Strodtbeck. He will join the Heidelberg University baseball program in the fall. While at Westlake, Strodtbeck  has played three sports for four years earning eight varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. He was named 1st Team All SWC in both baseball and football and was an honorable mention SWC performer in basketball. He will major in Sports Administration.

Alexis Tamas: Eastern Michigan University-Rowing

Tamas is the daughter of Libby and Zoltan Tamas. She is a four-year varsity rower for the Cleveland Scholastic Rowing Association and was named as a captain for her senior season. Tamas will study Business at EMU.

Rachel Collins: College of Wooster-Basketball

Collins is the daughter of Kathleen and Scott Collins. She was a three-sport athlete while at WHS, participating and excelling in basketball, cross country and track. Collins will join the Lady Scot basketball program at Wooster. Collins will graduate Summa Cum Laude with an honors diploma. She earned seven  career varsity letters and was named as a Greater Cleveland All-Star in basketball. She earned the Hustle Award for the Lady Demon basketball program and was named as the Most Improved Runner for the cross-country team. She plans to major in Chemistry.

Ishmael Shafei: Muskingum University-Football

Schafei is the son of Cinthya Welden. He will join the Fighting Muskie football program. Shafei-Muskingum came into his own this season by becoming a First Team All-SWC Performer in football and 2nd Team All SWC in Wrestling. He was also named as an All Sun West football selection and was a wrestling Sectional Runner-up. He is undecided about his major at this time.

Nora Lee: Williams College-Swimming

Lee is the daughter of Amy Lee. She will attend Williams College and join the swimming program. While at WHS, Nora participated and earned 9 letters in swimming, cross country and track and field. She is a National Merit Finalist, a member of NHS, and was recently named as an Academic All-American in swimming. She was a state qualifier in swimming in 2011. She is undecided about her major.

Mackenzie Smith: Waynesburg University-Softball

Smith is the daughter of Kelly and Craig Smith. She will be playing for the Yellowjackets of Waynesburg College. Mackenzie was a member of the volleyball team for 4 years, the basketball team for 2 years and the softball team for 4 years. She is a member of the National Honor Society and will receive her honors diploma. Mackenzie is planning on majoring in nursing.

Andrew Kettel: Cuyahoga Community College-Baseball

Kettel is the son of Mike and Joan Kettel. Andrew will join the CCC Challenger baseball team. He has lettered in both football and baseball and was a member of the SWC Championship football team this past fall playing a key role in some of the late season games. He is undecided about a college major.