14 • The Beacon April 1 , 2021
Signing evening held at River View for seniors
Josie Sellers
Kelsey Hartsock plans to join the track team at Walsh University . She is pictured with her parents , Kelly and Sara Hartsock .
By Josie Sellers
Three River View seniors signed their letters of intent to take their athletic careers to the next level during ceremonies held March 23 in the high school library .
First up at the Tuesday evening event was Kelsey Hartsock , who plans to join the track team at Walsh University . “ I really liked the campus ,” she said . “ It ’ s not too big , and it ’ s not too small . The coaches also were as nice as can be .”
Hartsock at first didn ’ t see herself competing in
BF-00507291 track at the college level . “ I started track as conditioning for basketball ,” she said . “ Turned out I was good at it and loved it . I love the exercise . It ’ s a nice distraction . You get to be with your friends and work out with them .”
Hartsock said she has been in sports ever since she can remember and appreciates all her teammates and coaches . “ They made me enjoy it ,” she said . “ I also want to thank my parents . They have been my biggest supporters .”
Hartsock plans to major in English and accounting and go on to law school . Her parents , Kelly and Sara Hartsock , were both pleased with her choice in schools .
“ It ’ s nice that she ’ s not going to be too far away ,” Kelly Hartsock said . “ Hopefully we can go watch some meets .”
Sara Hartsock said Walsh has a beautiful campus . “ We were really impressed ,” she said . “ She got a good vibe , and that gave us a good vibe .”
Megan Philabaum has helped coach Hartsock all
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Josie Sellers
Aleigha Hardesty will play soccer at Muskingum University . She is pictured with her parents , Jason and Renee Hardesty .
through her high school career .
“ She is very goalorientated ,” Philabaum said . “ She knows what she wants to accomplish . She is also the type of athlete that will do whatever event is necessary for her to do . She will do what is best for herself and the team .”
Hartsock is a sprinter and a pole vaulter .
“ She scared me when she started pole vaulting , but it ’ s her passion ,” Sara Hartsock said .
Aleigha Hardesty has a passion for soccer that River View head coach Dave Kridler has watched her develop over her high school career .
“ I ’ m very pleased with how she has developed on the field and as a teammate ,” Kridler said . “ Her real accomplishment , though , is that I don ’ t think a few years ago she saw herself sitting here . She applied herself though and got better every year .”
Hardesty was a left back and left outside midfielder for the Lady Bears .
“ There are not very many left-footed players ,” Kridler said . “ That is valued by colleges .”
Hardesty ’ s signing was emotional and exciting for her parents , Renee and Jason Hardesty .
Josie Sellers
Heather Stamper is pictured with her daughter , Ki Stamper , who will play softball and volleyball at the Penn State Beaver Campus .
“ We are very proud of her ,” Jason Hardesty said . “ She always gives 110 %.”
Aleigha Hardesty was drawn to Muskingum University because it allowed her to pursue her major , integrated science , and the soccer coach was supportive from the beginning .
“ This was always a goal of mine , and I just kept working for it ,” she said . “ I want to thank my dad for always pushing me to do my best and coach Kridler for being a big supporter on and off the field .”
Ki Stamper wrapped up the night by signing her letter of intent to play both volleyball and softball at Penn State Beaver Campus .
“ At first I was leaning more toward volleyball , but then the opportunity to play softball came up , and it all just came together ,” she said .
Willie Infante , River View ’ s softball coach , said Stamper is a really good leader . “ She ’ s come out of her shell ,” he said . “ She ’ s been a silent leader up until now , but she ’ s gotten more vocal . I always knew she could be a leader , and it ’ s great to see that .”
Infante said the Penn State Beaver softball team is getting an athlete who has a lot of tenacity . “ She continues to work hard every year ,” he said . “ She doesn ’ t accept failure well and strives to get better every year .”
River View volleyball coach Rose Olinger said Stamper is a great young lady and a strong athlete .
“ She is dedicated for sure and is focused ,” Olinger said . “ If anyone can make playing two sports in college happen , she can . She is a very important part of our volleyball family and leaves a big hole to fill on the court . She is a great student , teammate and leader .”
Her mother , Heather Stamper , is very excited for her . “ To know she ’ s reached her goal is awesome ,” she said . “ Her skills have grown every year , and she ’ s grown and developed as a person . I like that she chose a small school and will be close to her sister , who is having our first grandbaby .”
Ki Stamper plans to major in kinesiology at the Penn State Beaver . “ I really want to thank all my coaches I ’ ve had from school ball , to JO , to travel ball and everyone at the high school ,” she said . “ I always knew I could talk to any staff member .”