BASKETBALL … Ryan Neff has committed to continue his education and basketball career at Defiance College (NAIA) in Defiance, Ohio. Front row: Amy Neff (mother), Ryan Neff, William Neff (father). Back row: Wauseon Head Coach Chad Burt.
GOLF … Jaylee Perez has committed to continue her education and golf career at Lourdes University (NAIA) in Sylvania, Ohio. Front row: Stacie Myers (mother), Jaylee Perez, Brad Myers (father). Back row: Wauseon Girls Golf coaches – Head Coach Mike Marshall and Laurel Frank.
BASKETBALL … Aunali Reyes has committed to continue her education and basketball career at Ohio Christian University (NCCAA) in Circleville, Ohio. Front row: Aaliyah Reyes (mother), Aunali Reyes, Elias Reyes (father). Back row: Wauseon Girls Basketball coaches Lynelle Nofziger and Head Coach Shelly Borton. Missing: Jineda Reyes (mother).
(PHOTOS PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
SOCCER … Madison Strain has committed to continue her education and soccer career at Indiana Tech University (NAIA) in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Front row: Diane Strain (mother), Madison Strain, Mark Strain (father). Back row: Wauseon Girls Soccer coach Brandon Schroeder.
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
WAUSEON – In May, eight Wauseon soon to be graduates signed a national letter of intent to continue their athletic careers and further their educations at the collegiate level.
Aunali Reyes, daughter of Jineda and Elias Reyes, signed to attend Ohio Christian University to play basketball and study psychology.
“I chose this school because I loved the environment that you felt when you walked in. The coaching staff is very nice, and so are the girls.”
“I am looking forward to meeting so many new friends and sharing my faith with others.”
Reyes was on the honor roll her junior and senior years, was a team captain for two years, and was also the team-leader in rebounds.
“I’m appreciative of my parents for helping me through my whole process. I am very blessed to have parents who stood by my side through my struggles,” she added.
Mykale Schneider, son of Joe and Trisha Schneider, will attend Siena Heights University to wrestle and study either sports medicine or business.
“I meshed well with the coaching staff; they have a great wrestling culture, and their facilities are top notch,” said Schneider when explaining his choice. “I look forward to making new friends while enjoying a sport I love and traveling with the team.”
This past season, Schneider won NWOAL and sectional titles, was district runner-up, and placed seventh at 113lbs in Division II at the OHSAA State Wrestling Championships.
Despite the recent announcement of Siena Heights closing following the 2025-2026 school year, Schneider’s plans remain unchanged as of now.
Johanna Tester, daughter of Michael and Patricia Tester, is heading to Lourdes University to play volleyball and study early childhood education.
“The school is close to home, has a great atmosphere, and great coaches,” said Tester. Meeting new people and growing her independence are two things that Tester is looking forward to in college.
Tester maintained above a 3.5 GPA, completed a whole semester of college classes through the CCP program, varsity lettered in all three sports (volleyball, basketball, track) that she participated in for all four years, and received the Sterling Award for her class.
This past spring, she was a district champion in the long jump and was a district champion in the high jump her freshman year.
Ian Westmeyer, son of Mat and Amber Smiddy, will be attending Defiance College where he will be a member of the track team while studying accounting.
“I picked this school because of what they offer and the people that I’ve met so far seem to be super nice and genuine,” said Westmeyer.
Westmeyer was a member of the honor roll and advanced to regionals in track on two occasions.
Ryan Neff, son of Bill and Amy Neff, will be playing basketball at Defiance College while studying pre-med with a focus on molecular biology during his first four years. The second four years, he plans to pursue a doctorate in anesthesiology.
“The school is close to home, well regarded in education, and the basketball program is building something special with their current staff and the players,” said Neff when detailing his choice.
“Financially, it made a lot of sense for me considering I will be attending college for eight years. Having the first four free helps out a lot.”
“I am looking forward to playing basketball as well as the changes in dependability and freedom I have.”
Neff maintained a 4.0 GPA in high school and was named Valedictorian for the Class of 2025.
Madison Strain, daughter of Mark and Diane Strain, signed with Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne to play soccer and major in health sciences and minor in cellular/molecular biology.
“I chose this school because it was close to home, and I have always wanted to live in a bigger city. The team members were very welcoming, and I felt right at home when I stepped on campus,” said Strain.
“The recruiting process was a very interesting experience. I learned very quickly what questions to ask and do my research on the school before making a call with a coach. Overall, I was very thankful for the opportunities given to me,” she added.
During her senior year, she was first team all-league and league Co-Goalkeeper of the Year. She was also selected second team all-district and made the all-county team.
In school, she was a member of the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society.
Also signing in May was Jaylee Perez, who will be playing golf at Lourdes University, and Jordan Cook, who will be wrestling at the University of Findlay.
WRESTLING … Mykale Schneider recently committed to continue his education and wrestling career at Siena Heights University (NAIA) in Adrian, Michigan. Front row: Trisha Schneider (mother), Mykale Schneider, Joe Schneider (father). Back row: Wauseon Head Coach Mike Ritter, Assistant Coach Nick Tule.
VOLLEYBALL … Johanna Tester has committed to continue her education and volleyball career at Lourdes University (NAIA) in Sylvania, Ohio. Front row: Mike Tester (father), Johanna Tester, Patricia Tester (mother). Back row: Wauseon Head Coach Lindsay Parsons.
WRESTLING … Jordan Cook has committed to continue his education and wrestling career at the University of Findlay (NCAA D-II) in Findlay, Ohio. Front row: Christina Cook (mother), Jordan Cook, Chris Cook (father). Back row: Wauseon Head Coach Mike Ritter, Assistant Coach Nick Tule.
TRACK … Ian Westmeyer has committed to continue his education and track career at Defiance College (NAIA) in Defiance, Ohio. Front row: Amber Smiddy (mother), Ian Westmeyer, Mat Smiddy (father). Back row: Wauseon Head Coach Joe Allen.