SOFTBALL SIGNING … (Front) Andrea Thiel (mom), Makena Thiel, Rich Thiel (dad). (Back) Archbold Assistant Coach Josh Schramm, Archbold Assistant Coach Chloe Schramm, Archbold Head Coach Sarah Dominique, Retired Archbold Assistant Coach Greg Kuhlman, Archbold Assistant Coach Leslie Beemer, Archbold Assistant Coach Todd Nafziger.
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
ARCHBOLD – Malone University quickly felt like home for Bluestreak senior Makena Thiel, which led Thiel to signing a national letter of intent to further her education and continue her softball career at the Canton, Ohio university.
“The first time I was on campus was for a softball camp in the fall of 2024. After the camp was over, the coach took us on a tour of campus. Due to it being a weekend, many of the buildings were not open,” began Thiel.
“However, it did not take me long to know that Malone was a place that felt like home. Each time I have visited since that camp, I have continued to fall in love with the campus and its atmosphere.
“The coaches are great people and have been super helpful throughout my recruiting process. They have established the type of culture in their program that I was looking for.”
According to Thiel, the recruiting process was a stressful one. “It was very stressful to say the least. I definitely got a late start to the whole process,” Thiel stated.
“I attended many camps at various colleges, played in countless summer tournaments, sent skill videos, game film, and countless emails to different coaches. I visited a lot of schools of varying sizes to help me see where I felt I fit best.
“I took into consideration my major when looking at schools to continue my playing career, so that enabled me to narrow down my options and ultimately make my decision,” added Thiel, who will be studying Exercise Science with a focus on Pre-Physical Therapy.
Thiel has a long list of accomplishments athletically and academically to her credit during her Archbold career.
Softball
-HM All-League Softball (9th)
-2nd Team All-League Softball (10th)
-1st Team All-League Softball (11th)
-All-Ohio Academic Softball Award (11th)
-HM NW District Division 5 Award (11th- Pitcher Position)
Cross Country
-HM All-League Cross Country (10th)
-Cross Country NWOAL Scholar Athlete (12th)
-HM All-League Cross Country (12th)
Basketball
-HM All-League Basketball (9th)
-HM District 7 Basketball (9th)
Various Team Awards
-Top Defensive Player Basketball (11th- Team award)
-Cross Country Sportsmanship Award (10th, 11th- voted on by teammates)
-Cross Country Encourager Award (10th- voted on by teammates)
-Cross Country Leadership Award (11th- voted on by teammates)
-Most Valuable Teammate (11th- voted on by teammates- softball)
-Defensive MVP (11th- Softball)
-Cross Country Leadership Award (12th- voted on by teammates)
School Awards
-Academic GPA Award (9th-10th-11th)
-FFA Chapter Leadership Award (11th- Selected by teacher)
-Chemistry Classroom Award (11th- Selected by teacher)
-National Honor Society (Interview Process- selected)
Thiel is looking forward to starting her college career. “Playing with one of my current travel ball teammates (Paige Gamby – Tinora) and getting to experience playing at the next level,” said Thiel when asked what she is looking forward to at college.
“I am excited for all of the opportunities that college softball brings like traveling and meeting new people who also have a passion for the game.”
Thiel is continuing a family tradition by playing college athletics. Her aunts Nikki Thiel (Edgerton High School/Defiance College), Aimee (Genter) Langenderfer (Pettisville High School/Hillsdale College) and mom, Andrea (Genter) Thiel (Pettisville High School/Bowling Green State University) all played in college as well.
“I am excited to follow in their footsteps and continue my softball career,” said Thiel.