West Holmes celebrates 6 college athlete signings
The six Knights who recently signed on to continue their athletic careers included Braylen McKinney, left, Jozlynn Giauque, Lexy Starner, Zora Starner, Noelle Smith and Cole Porter.
Every year student-athletes put everything they have into being as great as they can be on any number of sports teams at West Holmes High School.
On Monday, April 7, six Knights seniors were celebrated for all their accomplishments at West Holmes during a collegiate signing day that saw each of them joined by family and friends as they signed unofficial papers to attend their respective colleges next fall.
The six student-athletes included Jozlynn Giauque, Cole Porter, Lexy Starner, Zora Starner, Braylen McKinney and Noelle Smith.
“We’ve got six really good student-athletes here who are going to compete at the next level next year,” said Adam Brately, West Holmes athletic director. “I know there are a lot of parents, coaches and teammates in this room. You know the hard work and dedication they put in, and honestly, it’s just great to take a second to recognize these kids.”
Brately went on to talk about how well-rounded this group of student-athletes is and how their contribution at West Holmes extends from the classroom and their respective sports into the community.
“They’re all really grate kids who get great grades in school,” Brately said. “You could ask them for help with our service projects and things like that and they were willing to help, and they have all had great success in their sports.”
The six student-athletes have collectively put together six individual resumes that would make any athlete happy to own.
On the gridiron, McKinney has been a member of four seasons worth of deep playoff runs and tons of success, having made regional final appearances in all four of his varsity seasons.
Porter is another in a long line of highly successful wrestlers for the Knights, having qualified as a state alternate three times while being a member of two Knights teams that accomplished reaching the state duals.
Zora Starner, Lexy Starner and Smith are all part of the Lady Knights cross country team that has been nothing short of sensational. They were freshman when the team made its first-ever state cross country appearance and then proceeded to lead the team to three more state appearances, having the honor of running at state in all four of their seasons.
They also have been an instrumental part of the Lady Knights track program, where they join Giauque, a sprinter who has been an inspiration to the track program. The Lady Knights earned a third-place finish at districts last season.
“As you can see, these kids succeed in all aspects of school,” Brately said.
McKinney will head to Ohio Wesleyan University, where he will suit up to play on the offensive line in football.
Giauque will compete in track and field at Muskingum University.
Lexy and Zora Starner will both head to Ohio Wesleyan to compete in both cross country and track and field, and Smith will follow that same path at Walsh University.
Porter will join the wrestling team at Baldwin-Wallace University.