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Mountain Home athletes sign with colleges, universities
Following their years of playing sports at Mountain Home High School, three student athletes signed letters of intent to continue playing for college and university sports teams.
Seniors Sable Lohmeier, Pierce Mederios and Elizabeth Ryan signed the documents during a student assembly Feb. 10.
The event marks a pinnacle in the athletic career of these students, each of whom got involved in competitive sports at a young age. They reached this milestone while maintaining 3.9 and 4.0. grade-point averages.
Lohmeier was drawn to track and field when she was a sixth grader. At the time, she was involved in many of the local sports programs, including volleyball and football. Over the years, she concentrated her focus on track and field.
"It's a cool, laid back sport where everyone has their strength," Lohmeier said.
She admits that her strength is the discuss event, which requires proper technique in addition to strength for athletes to be successful.
"If your technique is bad, you won't do very good," said Lohmeier, who competed in the event during the state finals.
After graduating from Mountain Home this May, Lohmeier is setting her sights on joining Brigham Young University's track and field team, which she called her "dream school." It also allows her to attend school near her older brother and sister, who are currently attending school at Utah Valley University.
Looking to major in sports medicine, she is setting her sights on opening her own business after college.
A two-time state champion, Mederios admits that he started wrestling by the time he had learned how to walk as a toddler. He drew inspiration from his father, who coached local wrestling teams.
By the time he was four years old, Mederios was already involved in the local Littleman Wrestling club before moving up the ranks into the Mountain Man competitive program when he was eight.
"I took it super serious," said Mederios, who remained focused on competing at a young age while others were jumping around and playing instead.
Wresting is an acquired taste since it remains one of the toughest sports for athletes in terms of physical demands, he said. It's this demand that tends to push most competitors away.
However, Mederios remains committed to wrestling because there's no greater feeling than winning when it's just one person out there facing one opponent. He finished his high school wrestling career with a record of 167-5, which is the most wins in the high school's history.
After high school, Mederios will wrestle at Northern Idaho College while studying oral surgery. He's currently setting his sights on earning his doctorate to practice dental surgery after college.
Ryan, who will play soccer for York College in Nebraska, started playing soccer by the time she was four years old. She admitted that she was drawn to the sport because her older brothers played soccer while her parents coached their teams.
By the time she was eight, Ryan moved up the ranks by playing for competitive soccer teams in the local area.
"After all these years, the game keeps evolving, and it's a chance for me to get better," Ryan said regarding her love of the sport.
It was her love of the game that allowed her to meet with the coach at York College, who watched her compete during a soccer camp in Montana.
"Soccer is never the same," she said. "When you step on the field, the outcome of the game is a complete unknown."
Ryan plans to major in chemistry during her time at York College. She admits that she's keeping her career options open until after she earns her degree.