Many high school athletes never get the chance to play a game after their senior year. They play in high school, but do not have another opportunity to play competively. Then, there are some athletes that use athletics to get college scholarships and extend their athletic career, for at least four years, if not longer. Seniors Erick Howard, Ally Peare, and Alyssa Chovan are three seniors who plan to participate in college athletics.

Erick Howard
In each of the last two seasons, senior running back Erick Howard received the Mr. Football award in Ohio. Then, Parade Magazine released its All-American high school football team. Howard was one of 58 players nationwide to be named All-American.
When he heard he was named to the team, Howard said he was shocked, but wasn’t aware of the selection process.
Head football coach Don Hertler Jr. said he thought this was the first time a Hoover player had been named, and added that it is great recognition.
“It’s a nice honor for Erick,” he said. “Football’s the ultimate team game and it’s a nice honor for the team and our school.”
Howard said that this award is number one compared to the others, since it involves the entire nation.
“It’s a nationwide [award, so] it’s more than just the state and people’s opinions around here,” he said.
Also, Howard said that his being named All-American gives attention to the team.
“More than just [Ohio] knows about our team at Hoover and knows that we were something,” he said.
Hertler noted that there are so many high school football players, which makes the award more prestigious.
“To get recognized is quite an honor and quite a feat,” he said.
In addition to being named to the team, Howard signed his letter of intent to play for The University of Akron next season.
Howard said that he decided on Akron based on the environment of the team.
“They have guys buying into the system and the team is like a family and more than just guys with talent,” he said.
He also said that it is a relief now that the recruiting process is over.
“Now I’m focused on what I need to do to get there,” he said. “It’s a lot of stress off my shoulders.”
Hertler said that Howard will be a good fit at Akron, and that there is a lot of time management needed for college football and academics.
“For a free education, it’s worth the commitment,” he said.
Howard feels he can bring “a winning attitude, [and] help them build to what they’ve already started.”
Akron head football coach Rob Ianello said the program was excited to get Howard to commit.
“They just don’t hand out Mr. Football Awards to anyone and to get just the second player in Ohio history to win two is a major coup for us,” he said.
Ianello also said that getting Howard to come to Akron shows a lot about the progress of the university.
“It says a lot to the commitment the University has made to the football program,” he said. “Getting a player of Erick’s caliber shows the positive direction we are moving.”
This also carries over to the current team as well, as Ianello said that the current team probably has spent more time with the freshman of next year than the coaches.
“I am pleased Erick and the others felt comfortable and struck up friendships with our current players to the extent that this is where they wanted to come,” he said.
Like Hertler, Ianello also feels Howard will fit in well with the Akron program, and said that running the ball will be important.
“You have to be able to run the ball in November in Northeast Ohio,” he said.

Ally Peare
Senior Ally Peare also signed with a Division 1 school. Peare signed with the University of Kentucky, of the Southeastern Conference, for cross country and track. She said that making the decision is a relief.
“I can focus on basketball season and [then] running without focusing on college,” she said.
Peare said that she knew a lot of other girls on the Kentucky team, since they had run in Northeastern Ohio.
“I kind of have an advantage over others by knowing them,” Peare said.
She said that those on the Kentucky team now, including former Louisville runner Sam Norman, would “help me [make] the transition.”
Another reason she said that she decided on Kentucky was due to the atmosphere of the team.
“I just felt a connection with the girls and the coach,” Peare said.
Even as a freshman next season, Peare said she will be hoping to contribute to the team.
“I’m hoping to make an impact when I get there,” she said.
During track season, Peare said that coach Jason Kirkland tries to have her run the dual meets more as workouts.
“Coach Kirkland puts us in races that will make us better,” she said.
She also said, “I race more events than I should,” but that only helps to prepare for the post-season.
Peare said the transition to college and college running will bring a lot of differences. This includes the competition, as well as being away from home and not having a car.
“I’m independent, but having to do everything on my own will be hard,” she said.
Kirkland said Kentucky will be a good fit for Peare, especially in track.
“For track, you don’t get much of a better conference in the country than the SEC,” he said.
He also said that the coach at Kentucky had been very involved with recruiting Peare since early July.
Kirkland said that Peare has shown her commitment to running over the years.
“She has placed upon herself the pressure of running with the very best runners that the State of Ohio has to offer,” he said. “In practices her work ethic is what stands out.”
In addition, Kirkland said that Peare would continue to push herself even when she may not have been feeling her best in practice.
“That type of dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed by the coaches or runners,” Kirkland said.
Something else that Kirkland likes about Peare is her mentality when she races.
“She has that attitude of she will do anything to win and if you are going to beat her she is going to make you feel the worst that you have ever felt,” he said.
Kirkland said that he has been coaching Peare for the past seven years. He said that Peare has taught him a great deal about coaching and that she “has made a big impact on me.”
“It has been an honor coaching Ally over the years,” he said.

Alyssa Chovan
While Howard and Peare signed with Division 1 schools, senior Alyssa Chovan has decided to continue her basketball career at Walsh, an NAIA school.
Chovan said that she liked how Walsh was close to home, but also liked her future teammates at Walsh.
“The girls on the team seemed more like my friends,” she said.
She said the team are close friends, as is the team at Walsh.
One thing that Chovan said would be helpful from Federal League competition is “how to handle adversity.”
In addition, she said that the practices can be hard at times, but that will help in preparation for college basketball.
“The coaching had a lot to do with it,” she said.
She said that even though it was fun looking at schools and coaches, it is a relief that she has decided.
“It’s really nice to know where I’m going,” she said.
Chovan also said that she will be looking forward to a fresh start that will come with college basketball.
“They seem to have a lot of fun and looking forward to getting to know my new teammates,” she said.
Coach Erika Ruch said that Chovan’s work ethic will help her succeed at Walsh.
“She will do whatever it takes to contribute positively to the team,” she said. “She will earn the respect of the coaches and her teammates because of this work ethic.”
She also said how Chovan is very coachable, which helps a college athlete “because of the transition into a new program.”
Ruch said how Chovan has become a better leader and become more mentally tough.
“She hustles every second that she is on the floor and has been an amazing role model for the underclassmen,” Ruch said.
In addition to mental toughness, Ruch said that Chovan has passion for the game.
“It is this passion that allows her to push herself past her limits so that she can play to the best of her ability,” Ruch said.
Ruch also said that Chovan has become more of a well-rounded basketball player this season, and that she is a very hard worker.
While Ruch said that Chovan will be missed on the team next year, she is excited for Chovan’s future at Walsh.
Furthermore, Ruch said that it has been “a pleasure” to coach Chovan the time that she has.
“She loves basketball, supports her teammates and always gives 110 percent,” Ruch said. “There’s not much more a coach could ask for.”