Westlake High Athletes Moving on to College

Twenty athletes were honored at the school's College Commitment Day on Wednesday.

"This is one of my favorite parts of the job," said athletic director Tony Cipollone.

Cipollone said College Commitment Day is a chance to honor all student-athletes who will be going on to play in college, not just those who go Division I.

One athlete on the stage doesn't play his sport for Westlake, but will be going on to compete in college. Matt Bogard will be on the Ohio State University fencing team.

His mom, Irene, said he passed up recruiting efforts by Notre Dame, St. John's, Penn State and Wayne State to become a Buckeye.

"It's a wonderful day," said Irene Bogard, a former fencer herself. "I'm just so proud of him."

Here are this spring's honorees:

• Julia Kosco, softball, Hillsdale College: Kosco, a four-year letter-winner and team captain, has a 4.0 GPA, which helped lead the softball team to the highest team GPA in the state. She is the daughter of Elaine and David Kosco.
• David Maurer, baseball, Northern Kentucky University: Maurer, a left-handed pitcher, has a fastball that has been clocked at over 87 miles an hour. He intends to major in criminal justice or political science, with the goal of joining the FBI. He is the son of Margaret and David Maurer.
• Alyssa Zollos, volleyball, Hiram College: Zollos is a three-year letter-winner for the Demons, and also played softball and track. She is the daughter of Bonnie and Ted Zollos.
• Jonathan Brick, football, John Carroll University: Brick earned an All-Ohio Academic Award, and a scholarship from the Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association. He is a three-year letter-winner in football and baseball. He participated in Rush for the Cause for two years, raising $2,000 in donations. Brick will major in pre-med, with the goal of becoming a trauma surgeon. He is the son of Christine and Tim Brick.
• Rachael Trujillo, basketball, Walsh University: Trujillo transferred to Westlake from Magnificat in her junior year. She was captain of the girls basketball team her senior year, team MVP, and first-team All-SWC. She plans on majoring in physical therapy. She is the daughter of Tony and Cindy Trujillo.
• Collin Brooks, lacrosse, Mercyhurst University: Brooks is a two-year captain of the lacrosse team and a four-year letter-winner. He will major in business intelligence. He is the son of Valerie and Bob Brooks.
• Zach Maxey, lacrosse, University of Mount Union: Maxey is a two-year letter-winner in lacrosse. He will major in nursing. He is the son of Joy and John Maxey.
• Lexi Schmidt, volleyball, Juniata College: Schmidt is a three-year letter-winner for the Demons, and is also vice-president of the debate team. She will join a Juniata program that is regarded as one of the best in the country in Division III. Schmidt intends to major in biology. She is the daughter of Marla and George Schmidt.
• Lauren Choban, swimming, Oberlin College: Choban is a four-year letter-winner who has qualified for districts four times and states twice. She holds school records in the 4x100 free relay and the 200 medley relay. Choban started the Swim Team Book Drive, which, over three years, has donated more than 1,200 books to area children's hospitals. She graduates 10th in her class with a 4.81 GPA and will study neurology at Oberlin. She is the daughter of Dr. Michael and Nancy Choban.
• Chris Boardman, swimming, Hiram College: Boardman is a four-year letter-winner and was team captain. He will major in integrated studies with a teaching licensure in history. He is the son of Bob and Maryann Boardman.
• Phil Brusk, football, John Carroll University: Brusk is a two-year letter-winner in both football and baseball. He was All-SWC honorable mention at quarterback his senior season. Brusk is also a member of the National Honor Society. He will major in pre-med. He is the son of Leslie and Phil Brusk.
• Yasmine Hirbawi, soccer, John Carroll University: In addition to playing soccer, Hirbawi is also president of student council and a member of the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Jamila and Ziyad Hirbawi.
• Jordan Sanders, cheerleading, Denison University: Sanders has been involved in cheerleading for five years, earning eight varsity letters and four captain's pins. She has also been editor of the yearbook club for three years, is a member of the AFS Club and the school band. Sanders will major in education. She is the daughter of Barry and Raenette Sanders.
• Sammie Sposet, diving, Cleveland State University: Sposet is a four-year letter-winner and has been captain of the diving squad for three years. She won the SWC title this past season, qualified for states twice and holds six school records in diving. Sposet will major in biology/pre-med. She is the daughter of Bruce and Megan, and sister of Ben.
• Jesse Moracz, softball, Unversity of Mount Union: Moracz is a four-year letter-wnner and is co-captain of the softball team, playing starting pitcher. She has earned all-SWC honors three times. Her GPA is 3.5. She is the daughter of Mike and Judy Moracz.
• Corey Bowers, baseball, Penn State-Behrend: Bowers is a two-year letter-winner for the Demons. He intends on studying business and marketing. He is the son of Frank and Michelle Bowers.
• Spencer Offredo, baseball, Ohio Wesleyan University: Offredo is a two-year letter-winner, playing right field for the Demons. He will study ecomonics/business management. He is the son of Mike and Robin Offredo.
• Lauren Wichman, soccer, Case Western Reserve University: Wichman is a three-year letter-winner who was a two-time all-SWC selection, as well as first-team All Academic Ohio. She also played basketball for the Demons, earning all-SWC honors in that sport as well. She will major in pre-med. She is the daughter of Page and Doug Wichman.
• Charlotte Tate, soccer, Cornell University: Tate heads off to the Ivy League with a 4.9 GPA and memberships in the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. She was named to the all-Ohio, all-Region IV, all-SWC and all-Greater Cleveland teams. She also holds the school record in the 1,600 meters in track. She served on student council. She is the daughter of Carrie and Bill Tate.
• Matt Bogard, fencing, Ohio State University: Bogard, who began fencing at age 10, is ranked fifth in the nation under age 20. He is a three-time state champion, and placed fourth at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Finland. He will compete at U.S. Nationals this summer in California. He is the son of Brent and Irene Bogard.