By RYAN WALKER
Norwell had two of its student-athletes sign off for the next four years at colleges Thursday morning.
The first was Macy Felger, who will be attending Huntington University for tennis. Lukas Mashuda followed and signed with Geneva College for cross country and track.
Both were thrilled to be able to extend their athletic and academic careers, closing out their final days before graduation and wrapping up their spring sports seasons.
“I honestly was so sad about having to end tennis season because it’s definitely my favorite sport. So the fact that I get to go on four more years is exciting.” Felger said.
“Simple. Close to home town. It’s got all the majors I want and it’s affordable. For a small Christian school, I mean, you can’t get much better,” Mashuda said.
The two Knights emphasized their field of study at their new schools along with their new homes and team cultures.
Felger will be heading down the road for the Foresters and will study elementary education with a minor in special education. She had her current head coach, Holly Kimball, and her future one, Kreg Eckert, attend her signing.
Eckert was just announced on April 30 to be the new women’s tennis coach for Huntington, serving as the men’s assistant coach recently for the school and also at the head of the program for nine seasons.
“I like that he’s very straightforward … He’s just upfront, and I really appreciate that,” Felger said.
Mashuda was pumped to boast about his school, nicknamed the Golden Tornados in NCAA DIII. The school is near the Pittsburgh area and close to the Ohio border in Beaver Falls. Mashuda’s family roots are close to Beaver Falls as well.
As a cross-country runner, Mashuda will be able to enjoy the landscape of the surrounding area and meet new people. He also plans to study civil engineering.
“To sign today just means I have the fortune of running in state parks in Pennsylvania, which I’m looking forward to,” Mashuda said. “I’ve got to get better at hills — there’s a lot of hills out there. I love my current team; it’s a great group of seven for cross country and like 50 for track, but really just new people, new experience. I have no idea what kind of friends I’m going to make, and that’s the fun of that.”
ryan@news-banner.com
