Thursday, May. 15, 2008

Fifteen East student-athletes sign

Brueggemann makes military commitment

Fifteen student-athletes from Olathe East signed to play college sports in a ceremony at the school May 15. But none of them made a commitment quite as long or taxing as Kyle Brueggemann's.

Brueggemann signed to play baseball for Army at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, the school of such notable alumni as Robert E. Lee, Buzz Aldrin and Dwight Eisenhower.

But four years at West Point is only the beginning of Brueggemann's upcoming journey. After that his military commitment entails five years of active duty followed by three years non-active.

"You're giving up quite a chunk of your life," Brueggemann said. "But that's what you're paying back to the military for everything that it's given you."

Brueggemann doesn't seem too daunted by the prospect of having his next 12 years mapped out for him, which is good because he ships out for basic training in a few short weeks.

Eventually he'll join the Black Knights baseball team, after hitting .450 with 25 RBIs, recording four saves with a 1.31 ERA and handling the bulk of the catching duties for the Hawks this year. He characterizes Army's baseball squad as an up-and-coming team that has benefited from a recent rule change that allows cadets who get drafted by the Major Leagues to put off active service.

"Last year they had two kids drafted in the first 10 rounds," Brueggemann said. "That's helped a lot for recruiting. They play in the Patriot League with Bucknell, Lafeyette, Navy and schools like that."

Brueggemann said he's ready for the early-morning wake-up calls and strict drilling at West Point that will be completely foreign to his East friends who are attending more tradition colleges.

He's also prepared for the possibility of being shipped to a conflict zone overseas after his four years at the Academy are over.

"That's always something that's looming," Brueggemann said. "But you do what you've got to do. You sign up for that and you know that you're with the best in the world and that's your safety blanket."

Other East signees (May 15):

Nick Nunley, Fort Scott CC, football: Nunley played for the Hawks football team for three seasons, lettering as a wide receiver. He was an all-Sunflower League honorable mention pick in 2007, despite playing in a run-heavy offense.

Cory Leach, Pratt CC, wrestling: Leach was a valuable member of the East football team, but he really shone on the wrestling mat. Leach, wrestling at 171 pounds, had the following tournament finishes this year: second at Leavenworth, third at Shawnee Mission Northwest, third at SM South and sixth at league.

Megan Weston, Johnson County CC, soccer: Weston has been a four-year player at East during one of the schools best stretches of soccer. A valuable midfielder, Weston was also a leader on last year's state runner-up squad and this year's league championship team. Weston has five goals this season.

Michael Morefield, Baker University, soccer: Morefield played for the Hawks for three seasons, as well as competing with the KCFC club team. Aside from his soccer skills, he also carried a 4.2 GPA.

Skylar Baker, Colorado Christian University, soccer: Baker lettered in basketball in her early years at East, but has since made her living on the soccer pitch. She's a four-year member of highly-successful Hawks, as well as playing for the Kansas Rush. She has two goals for the league champion Hawks this year.

Justin Caresia, Washington University, basketball: Caresia will take his silky 3-point shot and his gaudy academic stats to prestigious Washington U. in St. Louis. He was named First Team All-Academic by the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association after helping the Hawks reach the state tournament.

Ryan Whiles, Missouri Southern State University, soccer: Whiles, a big, physical midfielder/forward, has been a cornerstone of the East offense for several seasons. He was named first team All-Sunflower and second team all-state after scoring four goals for the league champion Hawks in 2007.

Jacob Darby, Newman University, basketball: Darby apparently played his way onto an NCAA Division II roster with his outstanding late-season spurt. He said Newman (in Wichita) didn't start recruiting him until after he led East to the state tournament by averaging better than 20 points per game in the playoffs. He said he chose Newman over MidAmerica Nazarene University and Neosho County CC the night before signing day.

"I just decided on Newman because it's a little bit higher level of basketball," Darby said. "It's also a little farther away than MidAmerica. That's just too close to home."

Katie O'Keefe, University of Central Missouri, soccer: O'Keefe, one of the best defenders in recent Olathe history, will join a host of local players already on coach Lewis Theobold's roster. She will join another all-state standout, Olathe South senior Alyssa Rhodes.

"She's been my best friend forever, so I'm glad she's going with me," O'Keefe said of Rhodes. "I've played (club) with her since I was little, like eight or nine years old, so I think we know how each other play and we can play off each other well."

Michelle Eggers, Northern Ohio University, swimming: Eggers is a four-year state qualifier and will be a four-year state finalist after this year's state meet, barring injury. In her first three years she specialized in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, but this year has expanded her repertoire to include the backstroke. Eggers has also emerged as a team leader who is a favorite among her teammates.

Alex Lawrence, Benedictine College, soccer: Lawrence's versatility on the back line was key to the Hawks' success last year. Not only was he a shutdown marking defender, his ball skills also allowed him to start East's offensive attack on a number of occasions. He'll join the Ravens after a 2007 season that saw him earn first-team all-Sunflower and second-team all-state honors.

Andy Bureman, Benedictine College, soccer: Bureman was a four-year member of the Hawks' midfield corps, as well as playing for the KCFC Alliance club team. Bureman also carried a 3.2 GPA.

Erica Bentz, MidAmerica Nazarene University, volleyball: Bentz played volleyball at East as a sophomore and a junior and is also a member of the Olathe Volleyball Club. She carries a 3.56 GPA and was also involved in orchestra at East.

Ross Newton, Labette CC, basketball: The tall, lean Newton was a member of this year's state tournament basketball team at East, as well as playing for the KC Heat club. An excellent shooter for his size, Newton is listed as a guard/forward.

Nayshona Jones, Coffeyville CC, track and field: Jones, an excellent hurdler, was named second-team all-Johnson County in the 300 hurdles and honorable mention in the 100 hurdles. This year she's one of the veteran leaders on a relatively young East squad that is widely regarded as a state championship contender.

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